Sydney Sweeney is directly addressing the persistent speculation about a real-life romance with her Anyone But You co-star, Glen Powell. In a recent interview, the actress stated that she and Powell did not encourage the rumors, placing the blame squarely on media outlets for creating the narrative.
The Official Denial
During an interview promoting her new film Christy, Sydney Sweeney made her position on the long-running rumors clear. She explained that the actors themselves did not actively fuel the speculation.
“There was no leaning in, per se. Truly the tabloids and journalists just created it and kept going. Even if we were just standing next to each other, it was ‘They’re standing two inches apart!’”
Despite the rumors, Sweeney emphasized the genuine nature of her off-screen relationship with Powell, describing a strong mutual respect. She said, “Glen and I genuinely care for each other and have a love and respect for one another. I love being with him. And I think people just truly saw a really beautiful pairing.”
A Contrast to Previous Marketing Comments
Sweeney’s latest comments mark a shift from previous discussions about the film’s promotional strategy. In an April 2024 interview with The New York Times, both Sweeney and Powell suggested they had consciously played into the public’s fascination with their chemistry. At that time, Powell noted, “The two things that you have to sell a rom-com are fun and chemistry. Sydney and I have a ton of fun together, and we have a ton of effortless chemistry… sometimes you just have to lean into it a bit — and it worked wonderfully.”
Sweeney, who was also an executive producer on Anyone But You, had previously detailed her deep involvement in the marketing campaign, telling the same outlet, “I was on every call. I was in text group chats… I wanted to make sure that we were actively having a conversation with the audience as we were promoting this film.” This earlier stance, which acknowledged leveraging the “narrative,” contrasts with her current assertion that “there was no leaning in.”
The Ex-Girlfriend’s Perspective
The romance rumors were intensified by the very public breakup between Glen Powell and his then-girlfriend, Gigi Paris, during the promotional period for the film. Paris has been vocal about her experience, suggesting on a podcast in June that Powell did not do enough to shut down the speculation while they were still dating.
Paris stated that she felt she was “not allowed anywhere near” the production of Anyone But You and criticized Powell for not making a clear public statement denying the affair rumors. She indicated that a simple statement from him saying he “would never cheat on [his] girlfriend” would have sufficed, but it “wasn’t said. Never once.”
When asked about Paris’s comments in a September interview, Powell responded diplomatically, saying, “Everybody’s always going to have their own narrative on things and all that. And she’s welcome to it.” He added that “relationships are really hard” and that after a breakup, people “each go to their own brunch and they will each tell their own narrative.”
The Hit Film and Future Projects
The speculation around Sweeney and Powell’s relationship swirled around the release of their 2023 romantic comedy Anyone But You. The film, which also starred Alexandra Shipp, GaTa, and Hadley Robinson, was a sleeper hit at the box office. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, it was a major success with audiences, grossing over $220 million worldwide against a $25 million budget. Its success was seen by many as a revival for the romantic comedy genre in theaters.
The movie, loosely based on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, follows two people who have a bad first date but are then forced to pretend to be a couple when they find themselves at the same destination wedding in Australia.
As for the potential for a sequel, Sweeney remains open to the idea. She recently confirmed that she and Powell are “always open to it,” adding, “I think that when the right concept and script come to Glen and I, we will jump in hand in hand.”
Sweeney’s new film, Christy, is scheduled to be in theaters on November 7.
Also Read: Sydney Sweeney Prefers Playing James Bond Over Being a Bond Girl
