In March 2024, Bowen Yang hosted a highly talked-about episode of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL), where he worked with actress Sydney Sweeney, who was described as “game” for any creative endeavor during the production. Yang, speaking on First We Feast’s “Hot Ones,” initially expressed concerns about the intimacy required in one of the sketches, titled “Bowen Straight.” The skit revolved around Sweeney’s character discovering Yang’s character’s heterosexuality, which led to an on-screen affair between them. Despite the potential complexities involved, Sweeney reassured Yang, drawing on her experience from her role in HBO’s acclaimed series “Euphoria,” where she previously dealt with intimate scenes. This level of confidence indicated her readiness to embrace challenging roles in a supportive environment, allowing for a successful collaboration between the two.
The planning of the “Bowen Straight” sketch became an enjoyable experience for Yang, who highlighted that he believed an intimacy coordinator would be necessary for the comfort of all performers involved. Yang shared how Sweeney surprised him with her nonchalance regarding the potential challenges of the intimate scenes, saying, “I’m on ‘Euphoria,’ it’s not going to be anything.” This willingness to engage fully in the comedic aspects of the screenplay helped establish a collaborative and encouraging atmosphere that was vital for the sketch’s success, showcasing Sweeney’s talent as both a dramatic and comedic actress.
In addition to her viral “SNL” appearance, Sweeney is set to return to her role as Cassie in the upcoming third season of “Euphoria.” After a break from filming, she conveyed excitement about reengaging with her character and the opportunity for personal and professional growth during the hiatus. Sweeney implied that the delay had allowed her to reflect and evolve, suggesting that the new season’s storyline would be filled with intense and unpredictable developments. Scheduled to start filming in January 2025, “Euphoria” Season 3 is anticipated to consist of eight episodes, promising fans an insightful continuation of the series’ provocative themes.
Moreover, Sweeney has expanded her acting repertoire by taking on diverse roles outside of “Euphoria.” She is currently portraying Christy Martin, a pioneering boxer, in David Michôd’s biopic, contributing to a nuanced portrayal of a significant figure in sports history. Additionally, she appears in Ron Howard’s film “Eden” and transforms into Kim Novak in Colman Domingo’s directorial debut “Scandalous,” which explores the alleged romantic entanglement between Novak and Sammy Davis Jr. These projects reflect Sweeney’s versatility as an actress and willingness to tackle challenging roles across various genres in the entertainment industry.
In her “SNL” monologue, Sweeney cleverly poked fun at her pinup status while making a broader statement regarding the superficial portrayals of feminism within Hollywood. She revealed to Vanity Fair that she faced some resistance to the content of her monologue, but ultimately succeeded in advocating for her creative vision. This highlighted her understanding of the complexities surrounding female representation in media, as she sought to reclaim her narrative and express her humor and opinions on a larger platform. Sweeney’s approach to her monologue underscored her desire to engage audiences in a discussion about the misconceptions and challenges surrounding women in the entertainment industry.
Overall, Sydney Sweeney’s recent endeavors reflect her multifaceted talent as an actress and a keen awareness of the narratives she chooses to engage with. Her collaboration with Bowen Yang on “SNL,” combined with her exciting upcoming projects and her insightful commentary on feminist portrayals in media, demonstrates her commitment to authentic storytelling. As she navigates her career in Hollywood, Sweeney continues to challenge stereotypes while embracing complex characters, providing her audience with both entertainment and food for thought regarding representation and the evolving landscape of female roles in film and television.