5 Shocking Truths About Sydney Sweeney And Glen Powell’s ‘Fake Romance’ And The Anyone But You Sequel

The irresistible, palpable chemistry between Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell became one of Hollywood’s biggest talking points in the last year, transcending the silver screen to fuel a massive, global media frenzy. As of December 2025, the conversation has shifted from speculation about a real-life romance to the undeniable success of their on-screen pairing and the highly anticipated future of the *Anyone But You* franchise. The film proved that the romantic comedy genre is far from dead—it just needed a dose of genuine, yet strategically manufactured, curiosity to bring audiences back to the theaters.

The intense speculation over their relationship status during the film’s press tour was not just a side effect of their sizzling performances; it was a carefully orchestrated marketing masterclass. Now, with the dust settled and the box office receipts counted, the true story behind the 'fake romance,' the breakup that followed, and the current status of a sequel can finally be revealed, cementing both stars as modern-day rom-com royalty.

The Complete Profile: Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell Biography

The success of *Anyone But You* rests squarely on the shoulders of its two leads, both of whom had already established themselves with major roles in high-profile projects before taking on the romantic comedy. Their individual career trajectories and key biographical details are crucial to understanding their combined star power.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

Sydney Sweeney (Sydney Bernice Sweeney)

• Born: September 12, 1997 (Spokane, Washington, U.S.)
• Age: 28 (as of December 2025)
• Key Roles: Cassie Howard in *Euphoria* (2019–), Olivia Mossbacher in *The White Lotus* (2021), Eden Blaine in *The Handmaid's Tale* (2018), and Bea in *Anyone But You* (2023).
• Notable Achievements: Two-time Emmy Award nominee (for *Euphoria* and *The White Lotus*).
• Current Status: Engaged to Jonathan Davino; continues to take on roles as both an actress and producer through her company, Fifty-Fifty Films.

Glen Powell (Glen Thomas Powell Jr.)

• Born: October 21, 1988 (Austin, Texas, U.S.)
• Age: 37 (as of December 2025)
• Key Roles: Hangman in *Top Gun: Maverick* (2022), John Glenn in *Hidden Figures* (2016), Chad Radwell in *Scream Queens* (2015–2016), and Ben in *Anyone But You* (2023).
• Notable Achievements: Began his film career with a small role in *Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over* (2003).
• Current Status: Highly sought-after leading man, starring in the upcoming disaster film *Twisters* (2024).

The Genius Marketing Strategy: Leveraging the Romance Rumors

The swirling speculation about an off-screen romance between Sweeney and Powell was the engine that drove *Anyone But You* to become a sleeper box office success, grossing over $220 million worldwide on a modest budget. The marketing strategy was a masterstroke of modern Hollywood promotion, proving that a little ambiguity can go a long way in an age dominated by social media gossip.

The rumors began during filming in Australia, fueled by highly publicized photos of the co-stars looking intimate and comfortable together. This coincided with the public breakup between Glen Powell and his long-time girlfriend, model Gigi Paris, which only intensified the media scrutiny.

The Art of the 'Will They/Won't They' Press Tour

The press tour for the romantic comedy was less about discussing the plot and more about performing a real-life "will they/won't they" narrative. Both actors consistently played into the speculation with flirty interviews, prolonged eye contact, and playful public appearances. This intentional ambiguity created a viral sensation, essentially turning the film's promotion into a captivating reality show.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

• Controlled Leaning In: Sydney Sweeney has since clarified that while they didn't *engineer* the rumors, they were advised by the studio and the director, Will Gluck, to "lean into" the speculation to promote the film.
• Glen Powell's Confirmation: Powell himself later admitted that Sweeney was a "mastermind" behind the strategic marketing, acknowledging that the buzz was intentional and a key factor in the film's success.
• The Box Office Magic: The strategy successfully replicated the essential ingredient of a great rom-com—believable, undeniable chemistry—and extended it into the real world, making the audience eager to see the "couple" on screen.

The Aftermath: Addressing the Dating Rumors and Real-Life Relationships

Once the film premiered and the initial promotional push subsided, both stars began to distance themselves from the dating narrative, offering clearer explanations about their professional relationship. This has been a crucial development in the current news cycle, providing closure to the intense public curiosity.

Sydney Sweeney’s Perspective on the Gossip

In recent interviews, Sydney Sweeney has been candid about the intense media focus, largely attributing the romance rumors to the press and the public's desire for a real-life fairy tale. She has repeatedly emphasized the "love and respect" she has for Glen Powell as a co-star and friend, while maintaining that the relationship was strictly professional.

The actress is still engaged to her fiancé, Jonathan Davino, and has made it clear that the on-screen chemistry was simply a testament to their acting talent and commitment to the project. The success of the "fake romance" campaign, however, highlights the blurred lines between celebrity performance and personal life in the digital age.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

Glen Powell’s Focus on Privacy

Following the media circus and his public split from Gigi Paris, Glen Powell has reportedly expressed a desire to keep his dating life more private. While the rumors served the film well, the personal cost of the intense scrutiny appears to have pushed the actor toward greater discretion regarding future relationships. His focus remains squarely on his booming career, with major projects like *Twisters* and his ongoing search for roles that challenge him outside of the rom-com genre.

The Most Anticipated Question: Will There Be an Anyone But You Sequel?

The massive, unexpected box office success of *Anyone But You* has naturally led to fervent discussions about a sequel. In the world of Hollywood, a hit romantic comedy that revives a genre is a clear signal for a follow-up, and recent updates suggest a sequel is not only possible but highly likely.

Current Status of the Sequel

As of late 2024 and early 2025, both Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell have publicly addressed the possibility of reprising their roles as Bea and Ben.

• Sweeney is Open to It: Sydney Sweeney has stated that she is "open to a sequel," though she has remained coy about any concrete details, suggesting that the team is holding onto some secrets.
• Powell is In Talks: Glen Powell has also confirmed that he and Sweeney are "in talks" for an *Anyone But You* sequel. This is the strongest indication yet that the studio, Sony, is actively pursuing a second installment to capitalize on the film's global popularity.
• The Challenge: A sequel would face the unique challenge of recreating the magic without the benefit of the original's viral dating rumors. The creative team would need to find a new, compelling narrative hook to bring Ben and Bea's story forward and maintain the same level of audience engagement.

The continued success and cultural impact of the original film—a true cinematic event driven by the power of chemistry and clever marketing—make a sequel a near certainty. Fans are eagerly waiting to see where the story of Bea and Ben, and the dynamic pairing of Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, will go next in what is shaping up to be the next major romantic comedy franchise.