Photo: Instagram
There's a "strong possibility" they'll start dating.
By Emily Blackwood — Written on Feb 13, 2019
Despite all the excitement and possibility that surrounded Brad Pitt's attendance of ex Jennifer Aniston's 50th birthday party, it seems like he's still very much into his old ways.
The 55-year-old actor is reportedly crushing on 21-year-old actress Sydney Sweeny. According to Radar Online, he's seriously lusting after the young woman, who is his co-star in the upcoming drama thriller Once Upon a Time In Hollywood. The Quentin Tarantino movie, set to come out in 2019, also stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie and is about a " faded TV actor and his stunt double strive to achieve fame and success in the film industry during the final years of the Hollywood Golden Age in 1969 Los Angeles. "
So who is Sydney Sweeny — and how serious is Brad Pitt's crush? We have all the details here.
1. There's a "strong possibility" they'll start dating.
Inside sources have reportedly told Radar Online that we can expect to see Brad Pitt and Sydney Sweeny coupled up very soon. The source said that there's a strong possibility they'll start dating.
"She’s absolutely made an impression on him during their time together on the movie, and he’s been sweet on her ever since," the source said. “They’ve spoken a few times since the movie wrapped on Nov. 1, 2018, and it’s been intensely friendly between them. Nobody would be surprised if he asked her out on a date, even though there is that huge age difference.”
2. Brad Pitt had to sign off on her casting.
Because they're in so many scenes together during the movie, Brad Pitt actually had to OK that he was willing to work with Sydney Sweeny. In fact, both he and Tarantino were so impressed with Sweeny's acting that they think they've got the next "Marilyn Monroe."
“She really wowed them both, especially Brad who wants to do more projects with her and spend time off set to get to know her," the source said, adding, "but it’s a lot more than her talent that’s gotten him hooked.”
3. She's been acting since 2009.
While the upcoming film with Pitt may be one of her biggest movies yet, Sweeny has been in the film industry since she was about 12 years old. She got her start in guest roles on Heroes, Criminal Minds and 90201, but she's best known for her roles as Haley Care on In The Vault and Emaline Addario on the Netflix series Everything Sucks!
She also played Eden in the Hulu series The Handmaid's Tale and made a recent appearance in Amy Adams' Sharp Objects. And the young starlet said she always knew she wanted to be an actress.
"I actually began my career by convincing my parents to let me be an actress when I was 12 with a PowerPoint presentation describing acting and my goals," she told Her Campus in an interview. "I've just always known it's what I've wanted to do. I love jumping into other people's shoes, and connecting to others.
4. She's currently studying entrepreneurship.
Sweeney is enrolled in a liberal arts college and studying entrepreneurship. She's spoken out before to Her Campus about the difficulties of balancing school and acting.
"It gets tough sometimes, but I've always actually enjoyed school, so I think that helps. I make sure I communicate with my professors and classmates about lectures and homework if I'm on set. I have many all-nighters getting it all done (like tonight), but education has always been #1 for me, and I thank my parents for that."
She also had advice for aspiring actors and actresses who are still juggling school work.
"Hard work pays off, the harder you work, the more people will notice. You also have to really love it, it's such a tough and brutal industry, with a lot of people trying to bring you down. Stay strong, and focused."
5. She has a lot of hobbies.
From home improvement to pinball to mixed martial arts, Sweeney never runs out of things to do.
"I grew up remodeling houses with my parents, and I’ve started to do it again with some of my friends," she told Marie Claire. "So, I like to watch HGTV — Love It or List It, Property Brothers, Flip or Flop. I’m also addicted to Houzz, the interior-decorating app where you can look at all these pictures of different rooms that have shopping links to the items you see.”
Sweeney's family also collects vintage pinball machines, and she's trained in mixed martial arts.
"I started when I was 14 and did my first competition at 18. It was a grappling competition against all guys a weight category above me, and I got first place. Those guys were probably saying, ‘Oh, we didn’t want to hurt her,’ but they were definitely trying. Everyone broke a sweat!”
6. She was nervous to join the cast of The Handmaid's Tale.
When Sweeney landed the coveted role of Eden Spencer on The Handmaid's Tale, she described the experience as "intimidating."
"I felt like I had a lot I needed to live up to be able to carry Eden and meet those incredible actors,” she said. “I was like, ‘I’ll watch the first episode to kind of get a feeling for the show,’ and I ended up watching the entire season that night because I couldn’t stop. And then I ran out of my room, went to my mom’s room and I was like, ‘You have to watch this show,’ and we watched it all over again.”
Emily is a writer and editor living in California. She covers all things pop culture, news, and true crime.