Image Credits - Glamour
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Sydney Sweeney, one of Hollywood’s rising stars, has been honoured as one of Glamour*’s Women of the Year 2024, joining an illustrious group that includes Pamela Anderson, Suni Lee, and Serena Williams. In her cover story, photographed by Michelle Watt, the 27-year-old actress opened up about her path to stardom, her inner circle, and the challenges of navigating fame.
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Despite her growing success, Sweeney remains grounded, keeping her social circle small and close-knit. She shared that her best friends are her cousins and a select few outside the entertainment industry. Apart from fellow Euphoria star Maude Apatow, Sweeney emphasized that most of the people she surrounds herself with aren’t involved in Hollywood. “It’s very small,” she said of her circle.
Reflecting on her early days in Los Angeles, Sweeney described herself as an outsider who didn’t fit the typical Hollywood mould. She recounted driving her grandparents’ old Volvo, a car so run-down that she had to jump-start it to get it moving, and even had to carry cardboard around to prevent oil from staining driveways. Sweeney also recalled being asked to park on the street instead of the school lot, as parents were worried about their children’s cars in comparison to hers.
Though she’s achieved remarkable success, Sweeney is quick to downplay any sense of “having made it.” She admitted that it feels strange when people label her as successful because, in her eyes, she still has much more to accomplish. “I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of what I’d like to do in my life,” she noted, expressing that there’s a long road ahead in her career.
Sweeney also spoke candidly about her financial anxieties, which stem from her family’s struggles. Growing up, she watched her parents lose everything, which left her with a deep-seated fear of financial instability. She confessed to being a cautious saver, making investments in real estate and other ventures. Despite her success, Sweeney acknowledged that she might never feel financially secure. “Fame doesn’t last forever,” she reflected, adding that one wrong move could easily bring it all to an end.
In addition to grappling with the pressures of fame, Sweeney addressed the intrusive nature of paparazzi. She expressed frustration over photographers who invade her privacy, even going as far as hiding in bushes near her home. She described an incident where paparazzi in kayaks lingered near her house for hours, taking photos while her young cousins were visiting. Sweeney emphasized the importance of feeling safe in her own home, and the threat to her personal safety when such photos are publicized.