Sydney Sweeney opens up about life before stardom

Australian-American actress Sydney Sweeney has opened up about a challenging period in her teenage years, revealing that she lived in a Holiday Inn hotel for over eight months after her parents declared bankruptcy.

In an interview with The Times, the 27-year-old actress recounted how, at the age of 16, her family lost their home while living in Washington in 2013. This forced them to relocate to a cramped one-bedroom hotel room in Burbank, Los Angeles, where she, her parents, and brother shared the small space without basic amenities like a kitchen or balcony.

“It felt like my entire life,” Sweeney said, reflecting on the difficult experience. Despite the hardship, she recalled making light of the situation by joking with her brother that their life resembled The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, the popular Disney Channel series about two boys living in a hotel.

She also fondly remembered befriending the hotel staff who would make grilled cheese sandwiches for the family.

Sweeney’s rise from these modest beginnings to becoming one of Hollywood’s most sought-after young actresses has been remarkable.

With acclaimed performances in television series such as The White Lotus and The Handmaid’s Tale, as well as the recent box-office success Anyone But You, she has built a substantial career and a multimillion-dollar real estate portfolio. Her holdings include properties in Bel Air, Los Angeles, the Florida Keys, and the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to her professional achievements, Sweeney recently confirmed that she is single following the end of her engagement to producer Jonathan Davino. She is currently focusing on upcoming projects, including the new series Echo Valley, while also expanding her business ventures and property investments.

The actress has also captured public attention for her unconventional marketing move, launching a limited-edition soap containing droplets of her own bathwater. Collaborating with the men’s grooming brand Dr. Squatch, she embraced internet humour and fan fascination with playful self-awareness.