Ruby Rose blames “cretin” Sydney Sweeney following Christy’s poor performance

When two actresses collide over Christy Martin’s legacy

The entertainment world erupted when Ruby Rose publicly blasted Sydney Sweeney, calling her a “cretin” and blaming her for ruining the biopic Christy. What started as a box office disappointment quickly turned into a celebrity feud, exposing deeper creative tensions.

Rose claimed she was originally attached to the project, adding personal stakes to her critique. This conflict highlights how casting choices and identity debates fuel drama in Hollywood today.

Ruby Rose’s original attachment to the film

Rose said she was once attached to play Christy Martin’s love interest, “Cherry,” in the early script. She described the original as “life-changing,” involving a cast with close ties to the story’s themes.

Losing the role was painful, but she acknowledged this happens often in Hollywood. Her tone shifted sharply when the film was recast with Sweeney leading.

The original Christy Martin script and casting evolution

The original version of Christy featured a script regarding some aspects of Christy Martin’s personal journey. Directors David Michôd and writer Mirrah Foulkes eventually crafted the film that reached theaters, and they brought Sydney Sweeney aboard to lead the project.

The casting decision marked a significant departure from earlier versions, raising questions about representation behind and in front of the camera. The new direction represented a different vision, one that Rose felt compromised the integrity of Christy Martin’s groundbreaking story.

The term “cretin” and its immediate controversy

Ruby Rose’s use of the word “cretin” to describe Sydney Sweeney generated immediate backlash online. Rose quickly acknowledged the criticism, realizing she had misunderstood the word’s meaning and apologizing for the choice.

She stated she thought “cretin” referred to something from “old English,” leading her to believe she had made an innocent mistake. After recognizing the term’s problematic nature, Rose walked back the insult and replaced it with a sharper, more pointed critique.

Sydney Sweeney’s commitment to the boxing biopic

Sydney Sweeney transformed her body specifically for Christy, gaining 35 pounds and training intensively. Her physical commitment to authenticity included genuine sparring that left her bloodied, bruised, and with a concussion during filming.

Sweeney viewed the role as deeply meaningful and stood by the film’s message regardless of financial performance. She publicly defended Christy as “the most impactful project” of her career, emphasizing that the story’s importance transcended box office numbers.

The Republican registration and political backdrop

In June 2024, Sydney Sweeney registered as a Republican voter months before the presidential election. While Sweeney has never confirmed, denied, or publicly discussed her voter registration, this revelation became central to the emerging narrative around her in entertainment circles.

The political affiliation appeared to fuel assumptions about her beliefs and values, even though she maintained silence on the subject. Ruby Rose’s accusations seemed rooted not in anything Sweeney said publicly, but in reports about her political registration.

The American Eagle jeans ad controversy

Before the Christy feud erupted, Sydney Sweeney faced intense backlash over an American Eagle advertisement campaign with the tagline “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.” The ad featured wordplay on “genes” versus “jeans,” but critics drew connections to eugenics rhetoric.

Despite company support, the controversy intensified when Sweeney’s Republican registration became public, seemingly validating concerns among critics who questioned her values. President Trump praised both Sweeney and the ad, which paradoxically added fuel to liberal critics’ arguments.

What Ruby Rose implied about Sweeney’s identity

Ruby Rose’s most inflammatory accusation involved suggesting that Sydney is not qualified to portray Christy Martin because she doesn’t authentically share the boxer’s identity. Rose stated that “none of the people want to see someone who hates them, parading around pretending to be us.”

However, Sweeney has never made negative statements about the said community and has emphasized her excitement about sharing this story with audiences. Christy Martin herself praised Sweeney’s portrayal, saying the actress captured her toughness and determination authentically.

Who is Christy Martin in real life

Christy Martin emerged from coal-mining heritage in Mullens, West Virginia, discovering boxing on a dare during Toughwoman contests. She won three consecutive titles before turning professional in 1989, perfecting her signature straight-right punch.

In 1993, legendary promoter Don King signed Martin as the first female boxer under his banner. Her powerful pink satin trunks became iconic symbols representing her revolutionary impact on women’s professional boxing.

The true story behind the film’s narrative

Christy Martin’s trainer-turned-husband Jim Martin controlled her career through manipulation and threats spanning nearly two decades. He threatened to kill her if she attempted leaving, which she internalized as an inevitable reality.

On November 23, 2010, Jim attempted to murder Christy after learning she wanted a divorce. She accepted potential death but discovered unexpected inner strength, escaping when he showered and flagging for help.

The box office catastrophe and industry attention

Christy became one of the most significant box office disappointments of 2025, earning only $1.3 million during its opening weekend across 2,011 theaters. The film marks Sydney Sweeney’s third major box office flop of 2025, following Americana and Eden,.

This gives her the dubious distinction of having the most theatrical failures of any actor that year. Ruby Rose weaponized the poor performance in her attack, suggesting Sweeney’s involvement directly caused the financial disaster.

Director and cast support for the film’s vision

Director David Michôd emphasized that he selected Sydney Sweeney specifically for her acting abilities and capacity to undertake this challenging character. Mirrah Foulkes spent time developing a relationship with Christy Martin to ensure the screenplay honored her story accurately.

Christy Martin publicly praised Sweeney’s performance at the Toronto Film Festival in September, stating that the actress captured her character’s toughness and determination rather than focusing on glamour. Martin noted that Sweeney was “a totally different person that none of you expected”.

After Ruby’s harsh words, Christy’s disappointing debut numbers added more fuel to the drama surrounding Sydney Sweeney.

The deeper cultural divide beyond the actresses

The Ruby Rose and Sydney Sweeney feud represents broader tensions in contemporary entertainment about identity, representation, politics, and authenticity. Rose’s criticism hinged partly on Sweeney’s political affiliation and assumptions about her values.

The conflict highlights how celebrity culture increasingly weaponizes identity politics rather than focusing on artistic merit. The incident reveals uncomfortable truths about Hollywood’s ongoing struggles with genuine inclusion versus performative activism.

Away from the drama, Sydney’s personal life took a turn as her relationship with Scooter Braun grew unexpectedly serious.

Do you think Ruby crossed the line with her “cretin” comment, or was she just saying what others wouldn’t? Drop your take in the comments.

Read More From This Brand:

• Sydney Sweeney breaks silence on split from fiancé Jonathan Davino
• Sydney Sweeney’s new American Eagle Campaign is facing serious backlash
• Sydney Sweeney refuses to discuss American Eagle ad controversy while at TIFF promoting ‘Christy’ movie

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing