Sydney Sweeney arrived at the Toronto International Film Festival determined to discuss her latest film “Christy,” rather than her American Eagle advertising campaign. Following an overwhelmingly positive audience reaction to the film, she’s finally achieved that goal. The 27-year-old Emmy-nominated performer has immediately generated Academy Award speculation for her portrayal in David Michôd’s biographical drama about boxer Christy Salters Martin.

In the role, Sweeney undergoes a complete transformation to embody the pioneering female pugilist who emerged from West Virginia as the “Coal Miner’s Daughter” before ascending to the pinnacle of her then-developing sport. After receiving a standing ovation from the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) crowd on Friday, Sweeney took to the Princess of Wales Theatre stage alongside Martin herself, describing it as the most meaningful moment of her career.

“It was a dream come true, as an actor, as a person,” Sweeney said.

While Martin boasted a distinguished career adorned with championship titles and a Sports Illustrated cover appearance, her narrative is fundamentally one of hardship.

She was brought up to suppress her homosexual identity and instead wed her coach, Jim Martin.

Following years of mental and physical torment, he made an attempt on her life in 2010, repeatedly knifing and shooting her.

Jim Martin received a 25-year prison sentence.

He passed away last November.

Sweeney’s acting alongside Ben Foster, who portrays Jim Martin, has been immediately acclaimed as her finest work to date.

TIFF has historically served as a springboard for Oscar campaigns, and the rapturous response to “Christy,” particularly regarding Sweeney’s performance, appears certain to place her firmly in the awards discussion. Nevertheless, “Christy” provides Sweeney with the finest big-screen opportunity yet in her rapidly developing career.

Moreover, given that she appears throughout sporting cropped dark hair with a more muscular physique, it’s also her most gritty and least glamorous role to date.

Martin, whilst commending Sweeney, outlined how her boxing character – brash, self-centred – didn’t mirror her timidity or her wish to assist others.

Following her brush with death, Martin has dedicated herself to supporting domestic violence survivors.

“I have those two parts of my personality. And I think that’s why Sydney Sweeney is doing such an awesome job,” said Martin. “She got to be this totally different person that none of you expected. She wasn’t the beautiful, sexy Sydney. She was the tough, rugged Christy.”

Approaching the premiere, Sweeney brushed aside enquiries regarding her recent American Eagle advertising campaign featuring the slogan “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” – a play on possessing “great genes.”

Detractors slammed the advert for celebrating whiteness.

The retailer has maintained the campaign “is and always was about the jeans.”

Prior to the festival, Sweeney informed Vanity Fair she was attending TIFF to champion her film. “I’m not there to talk about jeans,” she said.

“The movie’s about Christy and that’s what I’ll be there to talk about.

“Christy” will hit cinemas in the US on 7th November through its co-producer Black Bear in the company’s inaugural venture into distribution.

Sweeney also acts as producer on “Christy,” with Martin serving as consultant. Sweeney revealed that she underwent intensive training three times a day for two to three months to prepare for the boxing scenes.

She had a team including a boxing coach, a nutritionist and weight trainers. “And a lot of Chick-fil-A,” she added.

“A lot of milkshakes, a lot of protein shakes.

“But it was incredible being able to completely embody such a powerful woman,” Sweeney expressed. “I felt even stronger.”