Actress Sydney Sweeney believes that the financial pressures of living in Los Angeles contributed to her parents’ divorce. Sweeney and her family moved to Hollywood from the Pacific Northwest so she could pursue acting full time. In an interview with Glamour Magazine, Sweeney discussed how her parents’ breakup was catalyzed by their move to LA. The 27-year-old gained fame through her roles in HBO’s “Euphoria” and “White Lotus,” which earned her Emmy nominations.
Film critic Tatyana Arrington expressed surprise at Sweeney’s story, noting the lengths her parents went to support her dreams. Arrington believes that part of Sweeney’s success is driven by a desire to overcompensate for breaking up her family.
Sweeney has also hosted ”Saturday Night Live,” starred in “Madame Web” alongside Dakota Johnson, and executive produced the successful film “Anyone But You” through Fifty-Fifty Films, her production company.
Sweeney’s journey towards fame began when she was a child living near the Idaho-Washington state border. Her parents would drive 38 hours back and forth so she could audition in Los Angeles. At just 12 years old, Sweeney created a five-year business plan using a PowerPoint presentation to convince her parents to permanently relocate for her acting career.
The move took its toll on the family, leading to their divorce in 2016. Feeling like a failure, Sweeney admitted there was a moment where she didn’t want to go home anymore. Divorce attorney Holly Moore understands why Sweeney associates their divorce with moving to Hollywood due to the fierce competition and financial stress of the entertainment industry.
Living in an environment as unpredictable as Hollywood can have negative effects on mental health and destroy families if not addressed properly, according to physician Dr. David Campbell based in Bend, Oregon.
In addition to their divorce, the Sweeneys filed for bankruptcy that same year due to financial pressures associated with living in an expensive city like Los Angeles compared with Boise, Idaho where they previously resided.
Despite these challenges, Sydney Sweeney has achieved financial stability and success within recent years. She paid off her mother’s mortgage and bought a dream boat for her uncle while being cautious about money due to witnessing firsthand how easily it can be lost.
At publication time, Sydney Sweeny had not responded requests for comment regarding this matter.