Since it began airing in 2019, the HBO show – now the network’s second most-watched series behind Game of Thrones – has garnered widespread critical acclaim with Sweeney herself managing to bag her first Emmy nominations this year.
The “Euphoria” actress pointed out that contrary to what the audience would think, actors’ salaries are not even among casts, and although she did not give further examples or compare her income with other actors, she did point out that her earnings are precarious despite being called up and being a fixture in series with great international impact in terms of popularity and high technical production development.
“If I wanted to take a six-month break, I don’t have the income to cover it. I don’t have anyone to support me, I don’t have anyone I can turn to to pay my bills or ask for help,” she said, stressing that beyond trying to support herself as an actress, she has to resort to other jobs to cover her expenses, which also means big expenses as she has to pay her agent or manager to get more work.
“Actors don’t get paid like they used to, and with streamers you don’t get royalties. If I just acted I couldn’t pay for my life in Los Angeles. I have to pay my publicist every month, and that’s more than my mortgage.” She said
Sydney Sweeney stressed that her life is not as glamorous as the life her characters portray, recalling that since her arrival in Los Angeles she has had to deal with complex economic situations in order to support her family, especially her mother, whom she thanked for her support. However, she emphasised that like many colleagues and people in general, she has had to share a room as living quarters for her entire family.
Despite being in many popular and acclaimed productions, the actress has claimed that she is not paid well enough to have a 6-month holiday if she so desires. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, she expanded on the same and said
“If I wanted to take a six-month break, I don’t have the income to cover that….. I don’t have anyone to support me, I don’t have anyone I can go to to pay my bills or ask for help”.
Lucía Domínguez