'WE HAD CHEMISTRY RIGHT OFF THE BAT'
People US|December 25, 2023
THE ANYONE BUT YOU STARS BRING THE HEAT IN THEIR NEW ROM-COM AND TALK ABOUT BARING ALL ONSCREEN AND THEIR FLIRTY BOND
ERIC ANDERSSON 
'WE HAD CHEMISTRY RIGHT OFF THE BAT'

If romantic comedies live or die by the chemistry between their stars, Anyone But You may prove to be immortal. The connection between Sydney Sweeney, 26, and Glen Powell, 35, was immediately apparent to anyone with a pulse after steamy photos of the pair filming scenes in Australia went viral earlier this year, sparking rumors that they were an item. Spoiler alert: They’re just friends. But all the attention helped drive focus to the movie. “I mean, we sold a rom-com,” says Sweeney with a sly smile. “We were just filming a fun, amazing movie.”

The Euphoria and The White Lotus Emmy nominee, who’s also an executive producer on the film, plays Bea, a Boston University law school student who has a meet-cute at a coffee shop with charming but cocky finance bro Ben (Powell). After their first (and only) date goes south, they later find themselves headed to the same destination wedding Down Under. To prevent their well-intentioned loved ones (including Bea’s parents, played by Dermot Mulroney and Rachel Griffiths) from meddling in their personal lives, Ben and Bea decide to put on a show-mance and pretend to be a couple for the getaway.

Sweeney, who is engaged to producer and restaurateur Jonathan Davino, and Powell, who is single, talk to People about their spark— while finishing each other’s sentences.

When did you meet, and what were your first impressions of each other?

SYDNEY SWEENEY So I was sitting in the stands at the MTV Awards [in 2022]...

GLEN POWELL The MTV Movie [& TV] Awards. SWEENEY Then all of a sudden this guy walks onstage, and then I hear my name, and I’m like, “Oh my God.”

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PEOPLE USView all
Real- Life WeightLoss Drug Diaries
People US

Real- Life WeightLoss Drug Diaries

SIX TRUE STORIES OF WHAT IT'S REALLY LIKE TO BE ON GLP-1S LIKE OZEMPIC AND MOUNJARO: THE SIDE EFFECTS, HOW THEY RESHAPE PEOPLE'S OUTLOOK ON FOOD AND THE SURPRISING WAYS THEY CHANGE LIVES

time-read
8 mins  |
January 13, 2025
Ruby Franke's Daughter Speaks Out - SURVIVING A HOUSE OF HORRORS
People US

Ruby Franke's Daughter Speaks Out - SURVIVING A HOUSE OF HORRORS

IN A NEW MEMOIR, SHARI FRANKE OPENS UP ABOUT THE ABUSE SHE AND HER SIBLINGS SUFFERED AT THE HANDS OF THE INFAMOUS UTAH YOUTUBE MOM AND HOW SHE'S REBUILDING HER LIFE.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 13, 2025
PAMELA ANDERSON & JAMIE LEE CURTIS - 'We Can Get Through Anything Together'
People US

PAMELA ANDERSON & JAMIE LEE CURTIS - 'We Can Get Through Anything Together'

THE LAST SHOWGIRL COSTARS ON BECOMING FAST FRIENDS, BEING UNDERESTIMATED IN HOLLYWOOD AND THE JOYS OF GOING MAKEUP-FREE.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 13, 2025
THE REAL NATALIA GRACE
People US

THE REAL NATALIA GRACE

HER DOCUSERIES THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE INTRODUCED THE WORLD TO THE UKRAINIAN ORPHAN ACCUSED OF LYING ABOUT HER AGE. NOW, IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, SHE WANTS TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT

time-read
7 mins  |
January 13, 2025
Princess Kate's Christmas Return
People US

Princess Kate's Christmas Return

THE PRINCESS OF WALES'S HOLIDAY HOMECOMING WAS A TOUCHING MOMENTNOT JUST FOR HER, BUT FOR THE MANY WHO HAD BEEN AWAITING HER COMEBACK AFTER A DIFFICULT YEAR.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 13, 2025
BLAKE'S BATTLE GOES PUBLIC
People US

BLAKE'S BATTLE GOES PUBLIC

BLAKE LIVELY ACCUSES HER IT ENDS WITH US COSTAR AND DIRECTOR JUSTIN BALDONI OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ORCHESTRATING A SMEAR CAMPAIGN.

time-read
7 mins  |
January 13, 2025
Wendy Williams Makes Rare Appearance Amid Dementia Diagnosis
People US

Wendy Williams Makes Rare Appearance Amid Dementia Diagnosis

Wendy Williams showed up for her son Kevin Hunter Jr.'s graduation from Florida International University on Dec. 19 in her signature style: She wore a silver \"W\" necklace and used a motorized scooter with a Louis Vuitton-monogrammed cup holder.

time-read
1 min  |
January 13, 2025
Harris Dickinson Pushes Boundaries in Babygirl
People US

Harris Dickinson Pushes Boundaries in Babygirl

Prior to his breakthrough in the 2017 drama Beach Rats, Harris Dickinson held a number of odd jobs: folding clothes in the basement of a Hollister clothing store, playing a pirate at children's parties and delivering newspapers, among other gigs.

time-read
1 min  |
January 13, 2025
Ethan Slater's Ex-Wife Breaks Silence on His Relationship With Ariana Grande
People US

Ethan Slater's Ex-Wife Breaks Silence on His Relationship With Ariana Grande

Ethan Slater's ex-wife Lilly Jay has publicly opened up about their split in July 2023, amid his romance with his Wicked costar Ariana Grande following her separation from her ex-husband Dalton Gomez.

time-read
1 min  |
January 13, 2025
Jodie TurnerSmith Claims Joshua Jackson Hasn't Paid Child Support
People US

Jodie TurnerSmith Claims Joshua Jackson Hasn't Paid Child Support

In court documents filed on Dec. 23, Jodie Turner-Smith alleges that her ex Joshua Jackson has not paid child and spousal support since October 2023, when she filed for divorce.

time-read
1 min  |
January 13, 2025