Glen Powell Reveals That Sydney Sweeney Crafted Their "Romance" as a Marketing Ploy

"Sometimes you just have to lean into it a bit — and it worked wonderfully."

Last year, all anyone could seem to talk about was the alleged romance between Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell. After co-starring in the Shakespeare-inspired rom-com Anyone But You, the pair made a few suspiciously flirty red carpet appearances, and, like clockwork, romance rumors soon filled the headlines.

If you're a "Sydney Sweeny and Glen Powell did have an affair" truther, we have some bad news — not only did Glen Powell just confirm that the rumors were never based on reality, he also revealed that they were actually part of a mastermind marketing plot concocted by none other than Sweeney herself.

In an interview with the New York Times, Powell explained, “The two things that you have to sell a rom-com are fun and chemistry. Sydney and I have a ton of fun together, and we have a ton of effortless chemistry. That’s people wanting what’s on the screen off the screen, and sometimes you just have to lean into it a bit — and it worked wonderfully. Sydney is very smart.”

Sweeney went on to explain just how involved she was with the marketing strategy. “I was on every call," she said. "I was in text group chats. I was probably keeping everybody over at Sony marketing and distribution awake at night because I couldn’t stop with ideas."

She went on, "I wanted to make sure that we were actively having a conversation with the audience as we were promoting this film, because at the end of the day, they’re the ones who created the entire narrative.”

So, yes, in other words, the pair knew exactly what they were doing with those flirty glances and romantic, giggly exchanges — and they knew exactly what we would all think. The pair even continued their romantic charade long after the film's release. Just last month, Sweeney and Powell appeared on SNL together, where Sweeney did an entire bit in her opening monologue about the rumors.

Sweeney has also hinted about her marketing prowess before, too. "It's a rom-com. That's what people want!” Sweeney said to Variety last year. “Glen and I don't really care. We have so much fun together, and we respect each other so much.”

Related: Sydney Sweeney Just Revealed Her True Feelings Surrounding Those Glen Powell Romance Rumors

Of course, Sweeney's savvy tactics paid off. The film has since grossed over $200 million globally — a notable achievement considering its $6 million budget.

We can all learn something here — for the producers, it's a valuable lesson that we are all desperately hankering after illicit Hollywood love affairs, regardless of how real they are. And for us, it's a reminder to never underestimate the shrewdness of Sydney Sweeney.

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