Sydney Sweeney made a high-impact red carpet entrance at Variety’s Power of Women Los Angeles, turning heads with a daring naked dress while keeping the focus on an empowering message about resilience, self-belief, and women uplifting women.
The Euphoria star capped a whirlwind few days with the Beverly Hills appearance on October 29, following a Savannah, Georgia kickoff on October 27 and a stop at World Series Game 4 in Los Angeles the next night. It was a busy slate that balanced headline-grabbing fashion with meaningful career milestones.
Onstage, Sweeney reflected on strength that’s earned, not given—an idea that also anchors her next film, Christy, in which she portrays boxing trailblazer Christy Martin.
A Statement-Making Red Carpet
Sweeney’s red carpet look embraced the ongoing sheer and “naked dress” trend while aligning with the night’s mission to celebrate women making an impact across entertainment and beyond. The ensemble was bold, but the intent was clear: confidence can be as powerful as any speech.
The actress has increasingly used fashion as a narrative tool on major carpets, and her latest turn underscored that personal style and professional purpose don’t have to live in separate lanes. Even as cameras flashed, Sweeney’s focus remained on the stories she’s telling—both on screen and from the podium.
That balance has become something of a calling card for Sweeney, who often pairs high-wattage style with candid reflections about ambition, agency, and the realities of working in Hollywood.
What Sweeney Said Onstage
While accepting honors at the Power of Women event, Sweeney connected her remarks to the themes of perseverance at the heart of Christy, which arrives November 7. “Every one of us has our own fight,” she said, invoking Martin’s legacy and the quiet, persistent toughness it represents.
“Christy reminds us strength doesn’t have to look loud sometimes, it’s just about getting up again and again no matter who is watching,” Sweeney continued. “Playing her taught me it isn’t the end of the story, it’s about reclaiming it. And to every young girl out there—I hope that you know your power is already within you.”
Martin, a pioneering figure who broke barriers in professional boxing, is an apt role for Sweeney, whose career has moved between commercial hits and character-driven dramas. Christy gives the star a grounded, physically intense biopic to anchor, and her remarks emphasized the film’s larger message about resilience.
Fashion, Confidence, And Public Perception
Sweeney has long described fashion as an extension of her creative expression. “Fashion is a really fun way of embracing different sides of yourself,” she told People last August. “Some days, I might feel very girly, some days, I might feel edgy. Others, I might feel like I want to be more laid-back. It’s a way of being able to express those different sides of how I feel or who I am.”
She added that she embraces versatility: “That’s what’s so amazing, especially about being a woman, is being able to embrace all the different sides of ourselves, because we are so multifaceted and there’s so much going on. I can never imagine being one thing for the rest of my life.”
Addressing perceptions around her screen roles and public persona, Sweeney told Variety this week that labels don’t define her. “I play a lot of very divisive characters, and I think that a lot of people think they know me, but they don’t. So when people think, ‘Ah, she’s a sex symbol,’ or ‘She’s leaning into that,’ I’m like, ‘No, I just feel good and I’m doing it for myself and I feel strong.’”
She also hopes to encourage others to own their presence, wherever they are. “I hope that I can inspire other women to be confident and just flaunt what they got and feel good, because you shouldn’t have to apologize or hide or cover up in any room,” Sweeney said.
What’s Next: Christy & Euphoria Season 3
All eyes now turn to Christy, Sweeney’s upcoming biopic, which puts a spotlight on one of boxing’s most influential figures. The film’s release on November 7 comes as Sweeney’s schedule remains packed, with the actor continuing to juggle premieres and high-profile events.
On the TV side, Sweeney confirmed she’s wrapping the final two days of filming for Euphoria season 3 on October 30 and November 2. “It’s gonna be a really bittersweet moment,” she said, noting she’s “kind of terrified for how emotional it’s gonna be.”
That blend of celebration and closure defined Sweeney’s week: a headline-making red carpet in Beverly Hills, a major biopic on deck, and an acclaimed series nearing a milestone. Through it all, her message remained consistent—strength can be quiet, power can be personal, and the most compelling story is often the one you claim for yourself.
