SHE'S globally recognised for her talent, and is one of the biggest young starlets in Hollywood - but Sydney Sweeney has still endured more than her fair share of criticism.
She recently came under fire from Hollywood producer Carol Baum, who criticised her looks and acting ability, saying: "She's not pretty, she can't act. Why is she so hot?"
It's not the first time the 26-year-old been vastly underestimated, with Sydney famously declaring the biggest misconception people have about her is she's just "a dumb blonde with big t**s."
However, when it comes to her career she's certainly unafraid to push boundaries, and is unapologetic in her confidence and approach to acting, speaking candidly and openly about sex scenes in particular.
She previously said: "People forget that I’m playing a character, they think, ‘Oh, she gets naked on screen, she’s a sex symbol.'
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"I have no problems with those scenes, and I won’t stop doing them, but I wish there was an easier way to have an open conversation about what we’re assuming about actors in the industry."
Sex as a 'form of communication'
From drugs and violence to full-frontal nudity and sex scenes, HBO series Euphoria - which hit screens in 2019 - gained both praise and criticism for its graphic and explicit content.
This is where Sydney's career took off, and her breakout role was playing high school teen Cassie Howard in the series, featuring in plenty of sex scenes along the way.
Speaking about the role, Sydney previously told The Independent: "I’m very proud of my work in Euphoria. I thought it was a great performance... But no one talks about it because I got naked."
The first sex scene shown in the series was the very first episode, and featured characters Cassie and McKay, played by Algee Smith, having sex for the first time at a house party after he calls her the "most beautiful girl" he's ever seen.
McKay tries to choke Cassie during foreplay, but she immediately stops him, and he apologises.
Main character Rue- played by Zendaya - does the voiceover, saying: “Now, I know this looks disturbing, but I promise you, this does not end in rape,” before flashing to graphic porn clips.
Speaking about her character's approach to sex, Sydney previously said: “She doesn’t know how to communicate without showing her body.
"That is a form of communication for her, and she was never taught that you did not need that."
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Speaking about her own body, Sydney resisted the notion she's 'objectified' and recently added to Glamour: "I find empowerment through embracing the body that I have.
"That's sexy and strong, and I don't think there's anything wrong with it."
'Sexual' carousel ride
In another scene, while on a carousel horse ride at the carnival Cassie has an extremely pleasurable experience during a drug and drama-filled night.
It was a scene that really showcased Sydney's impressive acting abilities, as she faked an orgasm while riding on a carousel horse while being watched by a crowd of bemused onlookers.
When I saw The Voyeurs for the first time, I wondered if I’d done too much...
Sydney Sweeney
Speaking about filming sex scenes on Euphoria, Sydney told Variety: "It’s a very safe environment.
"I’m very fortunate that I am coming up during a time where there is so much thought in this process, and we now have intimacy coordinators.
"I have weirdly become very confident with my body through Cassie."
'I wondered if I'd done too much'
The Voyeurs is a 2021 American erotic thriller, starring Sydney Sweeney and Justice Smith as a young couple Pippa and Thomas who spy on and become obsessed by the lives of their neighbours.
And it featured some very steamy sex scenes, with Sydney's character becoming embroiled in a love affair with said neighbour.
Speaking about filming racy scenes, Sydney told Cosmopolitan: “I’m so disconnected from it.
"When I get tagged in Cassie’s or Pippa from The Voyeurs’s nudes, it feels like me looking at their nudes, not Sydney’s nudes.
“When you film one of these scenes, it is so technical and so not romantic… When I saw The Voyeurs for the first time, I wondered if I’d done too much."
'It's a rom-com - that's what people want!'
While Sydney has been happily settled down with fiancé Jonathan Davino for over six years, living life in the spotlight has also cast unwelcome scrutiny over her love life.
Her sizzling chemistry and steamy shower scene with co-star Glen Powell earlier this year sparked theories the pair were secretly dating, however speaking to Variety Sydney dismissed the rumours, saying: "It’s a romcom - that’s what people want!
"Glen and I don’t really care. We have so much fun together, and we respect each other so much; he’s such a hard worker, and I’m a hard worker."
Bathroom romp betrayal
In another Euphoria scene, Cassie and Nate have a more than memorable first hook-up, at a New Year's party in the bathroom after Cassie took her underwear off in Nate's car.
Nate is known for his playboy antics on the show and was dating Maddy, Cassie's best friend, who suddenly interrupts the pair's intimate moment and starts banging on the door.
Cassie starts to panic while trying to escape as Nate tries to help her calm down.
Speaking out about 'stigma'
While Sydney takes it all in her stride and regards sex scenes as part and parcel of acting, she has previously spoken about her frustration over how her decision to go nude can attract criticism, and at times overshadow her talent.
She told The Independent: "When a guy has a sex scene or shows his body, he still wins awards and gets praise.
"But the moment a girl does it, it's completely different... [there's] stigma against actresses who get naked on screen."
