Sydney Sweeney has stepped into the spotlight regarding the publicity surrounding her rom-com “Anyone But You,” as she attempts to clarify the offscreen chemistry with co-star Glen Powell. Despite the buzz that surrounded their press tour and speculation about their relationship status, Sweeney insists that the attention was not a calculated strategy on their part. In a conversation with Variety on October 27, Sweeney remarked, “Honestly, the press did it themselves. There was no leaning in, per se.”
Sweeney noted that the media frenzy over the duo was fueled by headlines that hyper-focused on their interactions. “Truly the tabloids and journalists just created it and kept going,” she explained. The actress expressed that their mutual respect and care for each other resonated with audiences, creating what many perceived as a “beautiful pairing.”
Throughout the press tour, the playful dynamic between Sweeney and Powell continued to unfold, including a memorable moment during Sweeney’s Saturday Night Live monologue when she intended to introduce her fiancé, only for the camera to switch to Powell in the audience. While the chemistry appeared undeniable, the narrative took a turn when Powell’s then-girlfriend, Gigi Paris, expressed distress about the situation. In a July 10 episode of the Too Much podcast, Paris described feeling “shattered” by the tabloid coverage, suggesting it cast doubt on her own relationship with Powell, labeling it as a potential PR scheme.
In furthering the conversation, Powell noted during an April 2024 interview with the New York Times that the key components necessary to market a rom-com effectively are fun and chemistry. “Sydney and I have a ton of fun together, and we have a ton of effortless chemistry,” he shared, adding that audiences tend to desire what they see onscreen replicated offscreen.
While Sweeney has asserted there was no deliberate manipulation of the press narrative, her active involvement in marketing the film suggests a nuanced perspective on promoting their chemistry. As Sweeney and Powell’s rapport continues to captivate audiences, fans are left wondering whether the line was blurred between genuine connection and strategic promotion as discussions of a sequel linger in the air.