Model Ella Halikas recently shared her candid thoughts on Sydney Sweeney‘s latest film, Christy.

Speaking with TMZ on Tuesday, November 11, Halikas, 28, commented on Sweeney’s biographical portrayal of former professional boxer Christy Martin. She speculated that the movie’s lackluster box office performance during its opening weekend might be due to Sweeney not appearing “half naked” in her role.

“What I’ll say is that Sydney has cultivated an image, and many people recognize her from roles where she’s showing skin, looking hot and beautiful,” Halikas noted.

Halikas continued, “I think when she takes on a role where she’s more covered up, audiences are left unsure of how to respond, right?”

Sydney Sweeney is no stranger to making waves at events. The 28-year-old actress turned heads in a sheer silver dress at Variety’s Power of Women event on Wednesday, October 29. She graced the red carpet with a smile, opting for minimal jewelry and neutral makeup. Her blonde locks were styled in a simple bob with a side part.

Halikas, who has posed for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, shared that Sweneey, 28, is seen by her fans as a “beautiful woman on screen where they’re gonna see that body.”

“If they don’t, and it’s kind of a different role for her, I feel like maybe you miss the crowd or audience that way,” she shared.

Christy premiered in theaters on November 7 and according to Forbes, the movie was one of the “worst-grossing wide-released movies in box office history.”

The publication added that the film grossed $1.3 million domestically, which averaged out to $646 per theater. The results placed the movie in the bottom 10 wide-released movies ever.

Over the weekend, Sweeney’s new film which ranked in the top 12 worst ever for movies showing on more than 2000 screens, grossed a meager $1.3 million after being released in 2,011 theaters – averaging $649 per venue, according to The Wrap.

Sweeney responded to the numbers via Instagram earlier this week, writing, “If Christy gave even one woman the courage to take her first step toward safety, then we will have succeeded. so yes I’m proud. Why? because we don’t always just make art for numbers, we make it for impact.”

Sweneey added, “And Christy has been the most impactful project of my life. Thank you Christy. I love you.”

She also gushed about how “deeply proud” she was of her work in the movie. “Proud of the film David made. Proud of the story we told. proud to represent someone as strong and resilient as Christy Martin. This experience has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”

She noted that the movie stood for “survival, courage, and hope.”

Sydney Sweeney has always had a fabulous figure. From showing off her toned abs on the red carpet to posing topless on rooftops, the actress has no shortage of sexy looks throughout the years. While playing Christy Martin in a biopic, Sweeney revealed in June 2025 that she gained over 30 pounds for the role. […]

“Through our campaigns, we’ve helped raise awareness for so many affected by domestic violence. We all signed on to this film with the belief that Christy’s story could save lives.” Sweneey concluded, “Thank you to everyone who saw, felt, and believed and will believe in this story for years to come.”

According to the movie’s official plot, Christy follows Martin, 57,who “never imagined life beyond her small-town roots in West Virginia, until she discovered a knack for punching people.”

The description continued, “Fueled by grit, raw determination, and an unshakable desire to win, she charges into the world of boxing under the guidance of her trainer and manager-turned-husband, Jim. Flaunting a fiery persona in the ring, her toughest battles start to unfold outside of it as she confronts family, identity, and a relationship that just might become life-or-death.”