Sydney Sweeney Breaks Down in Tears at ‘Christy’ TIFF Premiere

Sydney Sweeney is reacting to a warm reception at the premiere of her buzzy new movie.

The Anyone But You actress premiered Christy (in theaters Nov. 7), in which she plays former professional boxer Christy Martin, at the Toronto International Film Festival on Friday, Sept. 5, at the Princess of Wales Theater.

Sweeney, 27, broke down in tears as the crowd got to its feet, giving a thunderous standing ovation following the screening. The actress was joined onstage by her fellow filmmakers as well as an emotional Martin, 57, and Martin’s wife, Lisa Holewyne.

Martin soaked in the applause while holding her dog, Champ.

Speaking to PEOPLE on the premiere red carpet ahead of the screening, Martin described the event as “awesome” alongside Sweeney.

“It was one thing to be in a Tyson fight,” the athlete said. “It’s another thing to be at a premiere with Sydney Sweeney.”

Christy is directed by David Michôd, who co-wrote it with Katherine Fugate and Mirrah Foulkes. In July, Black Bear Pictures shared the first official photo of Sweeney as Martin ahead of the celebrated boxer’s biopic debut in Toronto.

Back in June, Sweeney opened up about to W Magazine about the transformation required for the film. The actress gained over 30 pounds and trained for more than three months to recreate Martin’s toned physique, she told the outlet.

“I started eating. I weight-trained in the morning for an hour, kickboxed midday for about two hours, and then weight-trained again at night for an hour,” Sweeney said. “My body was completely different. But it was amazing: I was so strong, like crazy strong.”

Shortly after filming for Christy wrapped, Sweeney was back on set to film Euphoria‘s third season. Her character, Cassie, more closely resembles the Sweeney fans recognize from red carpets and social media.

When the biopic’s director FaceTimed the actress on the Euphoria set, he noted that the transition from Martin’s physique to Cassie was just as drastic as the original transformation.

“I was stunned by the change in her appearance. I had only seen her as an adorable, tough moppet with late-’80s hair, ready to box,” Michôd told W Magazine. “Sydney was happiest when she was in the ring punching and being punched. It was shocking to see her being so glamorous.”

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Christy is in theaters Nov. 7.