In Chill Chat, Bustle sits down with celebrities to chat about all things wellness, from their favorite skincare products to tips for a good night's sleep . Here, Sydney Sweeney talks her love of cars, her favorite ice cream order and her favorite way to work up a sweat.
On screen, Sydney Sweeney has played roles that appeal to the male gaze (Cassie Howard in Euphoria , Olivia Mossbach in The White Lotus ), But in real life, she uses her skills in a male-dominated space. Case in point: her hobby of restoring cars. Specifically, the star - who is currently the global spokesperson for skincare brand LANEIGE - is keen to renovate her 1969 Ford Bronco, a dream car she bought at the beginning of lockdown. "I've always believed that knowledge is power, and being able to understand the mechanics behind a car and how to fix it was really important to me," she tells Bustle. "I don't like having people do things for me."
You may have discovered Sweeney's hobby on TikTok, where the actor has a dedicated account (adorably dubbed @syds_garage) to showcase her expertise. Coincidentally, she's partnered with Ford in her latest campaign and has collaborated with Dickies on the Ford x Dickies workwear collection - which nearly sold out within 24 hours of launch. “This [event] is perfect, also for me, because I get to share something very personal,” Sweeney said.
The star shared that she actually grew up around cars, too. "My uncle was a machinist, my cousins were machinists—I always grew up in that field," Sweeney tells Bustle. Now, her beloved mustang has become an important part of her self-care routine. Here, Sweeney talks about how her car fits into her health regimen, how she starts her mornings, and what she always needs in a salad.
Walk with me through your morning routine.
I love waking up early and doing my skin care routine. I like to put on some eye gel, roll ice cubes on my face, and then I'll take my dog Tank for a walk, or we'll go for a drive. She's fascinated by wild horses because she can see everything, so if I have time I'll take her for a ride and then we'll get something for breakfast.
Are you a coffee person?
In fact, I've never had coffee. I only drink water. My parents loved coffee and soda, and I just thought, I can’t do that.
What is your go-to form of self-care?
Working on my car. When I was shooting Euphoria I was restoring my Mustang, so if I packed early or had a day off, I'd walk into the shop, put on my overalls and hat, and go to work.
What have you learned about yourself by working on your car?
I'm definitely a perfectionist. I spent weeks wire brushing and trying to clean the underside while I was working under the hood and trying to repair and clean the mechanicals underneath the car. At one point, my friend came up to me and said, "What are you doing? No one is going to see this." I said, "But I know it's there." I knew I had left no stone unturned.
Is this the case in your home too? Are you really into deep cleaning?
Yes, I love deep cleaning.
What ingredient do you always add to your salads?
It might be some kind of protein like salmon, chicken, or steak. When it comes to salads, I'm a stickler for proportions - every bite has to have a small portion. So if I have lettuce left after I finish the chicken, I have to buy more chicken. I can't just eat lettuce.
I definitely feel this about you. What’s your favorite workout right now?
Honestly, going to the shop to get my car fixed is a great exercise. When you're working on a car you have to be able to carry some of these parts or hold different tools, it's an amazing exercise and you have to have core strength and upper body strength. I saw muscles in my shoulders and arms that I didn't even know I had.
How do you cope if you feel stressed or overwhelmed?
My dog, Tank, is a great emotional support companion. She is always there for me. And, like I said, when I was filming Euphoria — which is a very emotional show — going to the store gave me a lot of balance because it separated me from the rest of the world, Just focus on my car.
How do you like to unwind at the end of a long day?
I love going for drives, getting ice cream, and admiring my city.
What ice cream did you order?
Okay, I have a very specific order: I like a waffle cone with some chocolate on top, some sprinkles on top, and Skittles ice cream with some gummy bears inside. If you can tell in the [Ford] campaign, that's what I'm eating - when I tell you this campaign is truly the most me, I mean it [ laughs ].
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
