Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney has admitted that she can’t afford to take a six-month break from acting due to the costs that come with her career.
Since her breakout role as Cassie Howard in the hit teen drama, 24-year-old Sydney has been nominated for two awards at this year’s Emmys, as well as recently being cast in her first superhero blockbuster, the forthcoming Spider-Man spinoff, Madame Web.
Despite her achievements, in a recent interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Sweeney revealed that her success hasn’t improved her financial situation.
Speaking to the publication, she said: “I want to have a family, I’ve always wanted to be a young mom, and I’m worried about how this industry puts stigmas on young women who have children and looks at them in a different light.
“I was worried that, if I don’t work, there is no money and no support for kids I would have.”
She continued: “If I wanted to take a six-month break, I don’t have the income to cover that. I don’t have someone supporting me, I don’t have anyone I can turn to, to pay my bills or call for help.”
The actress explained how there are numerous things you have to pay for in order to stay relevant as a young star, as well as the costs that come with doing press tours, which are not always covered by networks and streaming platforms.
She revealed she’d taken on brand deals in order to make extra money, adding: “They don’t pay actors like they used to, and with streamers, you no longer get residuals.
“The established stars still get paid, but I have to give 5 per cent to my lawyer, 10 per cent to my agents, 3 per cent or something like that to my business manager. I have to pay my publicist every month, and that’s more than my mortgage.”
Sweeney revealed that she was only able to buy her house in LA after five years of constant work, adding: “If I just acted, I wouldn’t be able to afford my life in LA. I take deals because I have to.”
Elsewhere, Sweeney opened up about filming nude scenes, saying: “I have no problems with those scenes, and I won’t stop doing them, but I wish there was an easier way to have an open conversation about what we’re assuming about actors in the industry.”
