Sydney Sweeney, an actress best known for her parts in White Lotus and Euphoria, has called the idea of women in Hollywood helping one another “fake.” “All people say is ‘women empowering other women,’ but none of it’s happening,” she said in a Vanity Fair interview, expressing her dismay. Everything they say behind each other’s backs is a front.
Carol Baum, a female Hollywood producer, criticized Sweeney harshly earlier this year, questioning both her skill and attractiveness. According to reports, Baum stated, “She can’t act; she’s not pretty.” What makes her so attractive? Sweeney responded to these remarks by calling the event “disheartening,” especially considering that the critique was made by an accomplished woman in the field. She underlined how depressing it is to witness women undercutting the efforts of others who are pursuing their goals.
Sweeney speculated that generational beliefs might be the cause of these attitudes’ persistence. Women have been socialized to see achievement as a zero-sum game, she said. She explained that this fosters a competitive atmosphere where women feel compelled to undermine rather than support one another, saying, “We were brought up to believe that only one woman can be at the top.”
Sweeney said she was annoyed that she was singled out in spite of her best efforts to achieve. I’m merely doing my best here. What’s causing my attack? She asked, regretting that there wasn’t more real support for women in the field.
The dispute stems from Baum’s remarks made in public following his viewing of Sweeney’s film Anyone But You. Baum disliked Sweeney’s acting and called the movie “unwatchable.” She even brought up her criticism when she asked her students to explain Sweeney’s popularity in a class she teaches. According to Baum, none of them had an answer.
Sweeney’s representative responded by calling Baum’s comments “sad,” emphasizing the lost chance for an experienced professional to offer helpful criticism instead of disparaging another woman. The spokesperson also emphasized how disheartening it is to witness a well-known someone decide to undermine a budding talent.
One of Hollywood’s up-and-coming celebrities, Sweeney, is well-known for her open conversations on the difficulties facing the business. Her remarks regarding the absence of female unity are indicative of larger worries about superficiality and competition in the entertainment industry.
Sweeney is still concentrating on her professional and personal development in spite of the criticism. She underlined her dedication to remaining resilient and true to herself in a field where these qualities are sometimes disregarded.
Her comments highlight the difficulties young women in Hollywood confront and start a larger discussion about how to encourage sincere cooperation and support in a cutthroat setting.
