Sydney Sweeney considers her debut as a host on Saturday Night Live a significant personal achievement.
During her panel at SXSW on Tuesday, the actress admitted that her appearance on the show on March 2 was daunting but ultimately something she desired.
“It was so nerve-wracking; my mouth went dry,” Sweeney confessed. “I still get panic attacks just thinking about it. However, I wanted to do it because I believe it’s essential to confront things that intimidate you, and the entire SNL experience was both challenging and frightening.”
The star of ‘Anyone But You’ shared that she learned to confront her fears from a young age. “This memory is etched in my mind,” Sweeney shared. “I was 14, auditioning for a recurring role on a TV show, an ABC Family production. There were more than two people in the room, and I became so nervous that I forgot all my lines.” The experience left her “terrified.”
“I vividly remember apologizing repeatedly and asking to leave,” she recalled. “It taught me that it’s okay to feel nervous and to channel it into excitement.”
“I was scared, but I had an incredible time,” she remarked to PEOPLE earlier this month. “I’m glad I did it, and perhaps I’d love to do it again someday because now I feel prepared. I know what to expect from the process, and everyone involved is fantastic. It’s a truly amazing group of people.”
During her SNL debut, Sweeney used her opening monologue to playfully address rumors of an affair with her co-star Glen Powell from ‘Anyone But You.’
“Obviously, that’s not true. My fiancé and I produced the movie together, and he was with me throughout the entire shoot. I want to assure everyone that he’s the man of my dreams, and we’re still happily together,” Sweeney clarified.
As she requested the camera to pan to her fiancé Jonathan Davino, Powell humorously appeared in the audience. Fans may anticipate seeing Sweeney and Powell’s on-screen chemistry once more, as Sweeney mentioned to PEOPLE previously that they are “exploring various ideas” for a sequel.
“We haven’t finalized our plans yet, but we’re brainstorming various possibilities and seeing what resonates the most,” she added.