Blouse: LOEWE
SYDNEY SWEENEY
Stars in Amazon Studios film
Les Voyeurs
Interview Tessa Swantek
Photography Jonny Marlow
Fashion Editor Deborah Ferguson
Interview by Tessa Swantek
Sydney Sweeney, the American actress is a well-known name in the entertainment industry as she has graced our screens in several critically acclaimed TV series and films from The Handmaid’s Tale, Sharp Objects, and Euphoria to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and The White Lotus among others. Sweeney is as intensely intelligent as she is imaginative; at a young age she created a 5-year business plan to convince her parents to let her audition for a local role, and then later attended college for entrepreneurship after being awarded Valedictorian of her High School. Her determined spirit has translated to her role preparation as she creates 100-page journals for each of her characters to understand them intimately. Sweeney’s unique preparation method was certainly necessary for her most recent role as Pippa in Michael Mahon’s The Voyeurs as the erotic thriller is far from predictable. The film centers around a couple whose normal life turns sinister quickly after they become visually engrossed in the life of a couple whose curtainless apartment window is opposite theirs. Sweeney tells us more about her role as Pippa, behind-the-scenes stories of working on The White Lotus, and details behind the launch of her production company, Fifty-Fifty Films!
First of all, I want to congratulate you on the launch of your production company, Fifty-Fifty Films! You have teamed with Jean-Marc Vallée and Nathan Ross’ Crazyrose and Endeavor Content to create a TV series adaptation, The Player’s Table, of Jessica Goodman’s forthcoming debut novel They Wish They Were Us. What are you most proud of regarding this venture?
Thank you! I’m honestly proud of myself for pushing to make this! There are so many factors and battles that go on behind the scenes before a script is even written or an actor is cast. It’s a balance of business and creativity. I’ve been learning and appreciating all the work that goes into a single project and tossing multiple around. I’m excited to bring Jessica’s pages to life and deepen these characters’ stories.
It may not be a well-known fact about you, but you are truly a businesswoman at heart! How has your business experience helped you in your career?
My parents were very adamant about me focusing and working hard on education. As much as I might’ve disliked the pressure when I was younger, I slowly grew up to truly love school and learning. I think just being as knowledgeable in as many categories in life as possible can benefit you. I will say, the school can only take you so far, you do have to put the extra steps in.
Top and Gloves: Marine Serre at MYTHERESA
You have said that you create a 100-page journal to build each of the characters you play from birth to their first appearance in a script. Have you ever used personality-type tools like MBTI for your character building? What is most important for you to identify when building your characters?
I focus on making sure they have their own voice. They need to have their own thought process and coping mechanisms- mentally and physically. I learned about the Myer Briggs technique in AP Psych, subconsciously I might do it, but I don’t really follow one method. Each book differs quite immensely from the other, it really depends on the character and how their book will turn out.
If you could make a 100-page journal about yourself, what are some memories that you feel make you who you are?
A few people have actually told me I should do one on myself, but I feel like I’d be too judgmental on my own memories or self. I’d definitely have a lot of memories from my childhood school and house in the journal.
Euphoria has been responsible for heightening many of its stars’ careers. Why do you think the show, and your character, have resonated so deeply with such a large audience?
I think it’s because it comes from a real, nonjudgmental place- from the overarching story to the specificity of the characters.
You also like characters who are very different from yourself- your role as Olivia Mossbacher in The White Lotus seems to be the perfect antithesis of yourself. If you were to meet Olivia at The White Lotus, how do you imagine the conversation would go?
I’m a really shy person that tries to overcompensate with a lot of giggles and smiles, so Olivia would probably just think I’m some weird nerd.
Can you talk a little bit about filming in Hawaii for The White Lotus- any behind-the-scenes stories that can be shared?
It was paradise, literal paradise. I really love filming on location because you build such a deep bond with your fellow cast and crew, and especially during the time we filmed this. As for behind-the-scenes stories, there was just a bunch of snorkeling with turtles! I taught Fred [Hechinger] how to snorkel!
Shifting to your starring role as Pippa in The Voyeurs, which debuted on Amazon Prime on September 10, 2021, what attracted you to the story and Pippa as a character?
I was drawn to multiple things. First, Pippa’s rollercoaster of emotions and storyline was attractive- I felt like there wasn’t just a beginning, middle, and end. There was left, right, up-down, and backward, which as an actor is a fun challenge. The story was filled with twists and I didn’t guess them as I was reading, which is really rare because many times I can get 20 pages into a script and know exactly what’s going to happen.
Top and Gloves: Marine Serre at MYTHERESA Shorts: AnnaKikki
Knit dress: Balenciaga at MYTHERESA Gloves: Sara Wong
The film explores parallels to social media and how the access we give others into our lives now is unprecedented. Of course, on a celebrity scale, this is magnified to an extreme level. Is this something you can relate to?
Social media is basically a window people can dive deep into. We give so much access to ourselves that there is very little mystery left.
Top & Jeans Balenciaga at MYTHERESA Ankle Boots: LeSilla
The Voyeurs is a very visually intense film with its director, Michael Mohan, describing himself as “a strategist of visuals.” Can you talk a little bit about working with Mohan, and what you may have learned from his work?
I loved how Michael enjoyed putting Easter eggs and symbolism into his shots. There are many pieces of the puzzle that if you watch a few times you’ll start seeing things that you didn’t at first, and more will unfold.
Dress : Ellery
Your role in The Voyeurs is one of your first more adult roles. Did you feel like you really had to get out of your comfort zone for this film or did it feel like a natural progression?
It felt natural- I was playing my own age for once!
You have quite a few upcoming roles in The Player’s Table, Strawberry Spring, and Night Teeth. What can we look forward to from you next?
I have to keep some secrets up my sleeve!
Photography
Jonny Marlow
Creative Director, Casting & Fashion Editor
Deborah Ferguson
Interview
Tessa Swantek
Makeup
Rachel Goodwin @ A frame agency
Hair
Sami Knight @ A frame agency
Web Layout Art direction
Charis Tang
Fashion Assistant
Juan Marco Torres
Thank you,
Imprint PR & Amazon Studios
View Les Voyeurs trailer here: