In one of the most raw and unfiltered industry moments lately, Ruby Rose has publicly laid into Sydney Sweeney—calling the actress a “cret...
In one of the most raw and unfiltered industry moments lately, Ruby Rose has publicly laid into Sydney Sweeney—calling the actress a “cretin” and holding her accountable for the poor performance of Christy, the biopic about boxing icon Christy Martin. What started as a wide-release film turned into a simmering fire of authenticity, representation, and celebrity politics. It’s the kind of real-life drama that even Hollywood would hesitate to script.
The winds of controversy are blowing through Hollywood this week. Ruby Rose, the Aussie-born actor known for her bold public stances, unleashed a pointed attack on Sydney Sweeney after the biopic Christy opened to a severely weak box office.
What happened with Christy?
Christy, directed by David Michôd, tells the true story of champion boxer Christy Martin, her rise, and the domestic abuse she survived. Despite considerable build-up, the film went wide (over 2,000 theaters) and pulled in only about US$1.3 million on opening weekend—ranking among the worst wide releases in recent history.
In response to the poor performance, Sydney Sweeney posted on Instagram:
“I am so deeply proud of this movie… We don’t always just make art for numbers… this film stands for survival, courage, and hope
Ruby Rose speaks out
Ruby Rose went to social media (Threads) and didn’t mince words. She claimed that she had once been attached to the project (in the role of “Cherry”), and that the original version of the script had a queer-led team, “where most of us were actually gay.
She then wrote:
“For her PR to talk about it flopping and saying SS did it for the ‘people’. None of ‘the people’ want to see someone who hates them, parading around pretending to be us. You’re a cretin and you ruined the film. Period. Christy deserved better.
Her words suggest that the problem wasn’t just the box office numbers but the perceived misalignment between the film’s subject matter (a lesbian icon in sports) and how the project was executed, cast, and marketed.
Why the blow-up matters
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Representation & casting matters: Rose’s critique taps into the broader conversation about who gets to tell queer stories, especially when the narrative centers LGBTQ+ identities.
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Public image & politics: Sweeney, known for roles in Euphoria and more, has faced prior backlash—including a controversial American Eagle ad and discussion of her political affiliation.
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Box office + messaging = clash: A film about a real-life lesbian boxer launches, flops hard, and the PR message tries to shift from “numbers” to “impact”—but not all audiences are convinced.
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Industry ripple effect: The drama raises questions for African and global entertainment too: when stories about minority identities are told by creators or stars perceived as outsiders to those identities, does it affect authentic connection and reception?
Real-World & Global Relevance
This moment echoes past instances where actors were criticized for portraying identities they don’t share (for example, trans or queer roles with straight actors). The broader idea: audiences are increasingly aware and sensitive to authenticity and alignment of values.
In Nollywood, or African film circles, similar debates occur when major stars take roles that reflect cultural or identity nuances they’re not known for—the conversation isn’t just in Hollywood.
And when a film about domestic violence and a lesbian sporting icon flops, it invites reflection on marketing, target audience, platform choices (streaming vs. theater)—matters very relevant in Nigerian film industry discussions too.
What’s Next?
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Will Sweeney respond further or engage in a detailed interview? So far, she’s maintained her pride in the project.
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Will the producers or subject Christy Martin (the real person) comment on these accusations and the film’s direction?
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Will this setback reshape how studios cast or market queer-centric biopics?
For Rose, this might become part of her public-advocate identity again. For Sweeney, a critical crossroads in career branding. For the industry, an example of how misreadings can cost both creatively and commercially.
Conclusion
What began as a biopic about resilience and identity has turned into a flashpoint about authenticity, casting, and whose stories get told—and how. Ruby Rose’s accusation is more than personal: it’s part of a shifting entertainment landscape where audiences expect alignment between identity, representation, and storytelling. Whether Christy redeems itself on streaming or becomes a cautionary tale remains to be seen—but this moment will ripple. For all creators, it’s a reminder: telling someone else’s story demands more than the spotlight—it demands trust.