Sydney Sweeney is challenging Hollywood's portrayal of the 'women empowering other women' movement, asserting that it is merely an illusion. The 27-year-old star of 'Anyone But You' discussed the power dynamics among women in the entertainment industry during an interview with Vanity Fair for their 2025 Hollywood Issue.
"It's deeply disheartening to witness women undermining other women," she told the publication in an interview released on Wednesday. "Especially when successful women in other sectors of their industry observe younger talents striving hard—aspiring to fulfill their dreams—only to attempt to belittle and discredit their efforts."
"This entire industry, everyone talks about 'Women empowering other women.' None of it is actually happening," Sweeney added. "It's all fake and merely a facade for the other things they say behind closed doors."
The 'Euphoria' actress further shared her insights on why some women might privately undermine each other while publicly espousing the values of women's empowerment. "There are numerous studies and varying opinions on the reasons behind this," Sweeney continued. "Throughout our lives, we were raised—and it's a generational issue—to believe that only one woman can reach the top. There's one woman who can attract the man. There's one woman who can be, I don't know, anything. Consequently, the others feel they must compete with each other or bring that one woman down instead of supporting each other."
Sweeney also mentioned that she is "still trying to understand it" herself, questioning, "I'm doing my best here. Why am I being attacked?" The topic of women's empowerment—or its absence—in the entertainment industry arose during the Vanity Fair interview in connection with the controversy earlier this year when a veteran Hollywood producer publicly criticized Sweeney's acting skills and appearance.
Producer Carol Baum, known for films like 'Father of the Bride' and 'Shining Through,' stated at an April screening of her 1988 film 'Dead Ringers,' according to Daily Mail, "There's an actress everyone loves now—Sydney Sweeney. I don't understand Sydney Sweeney." Baum, who is also an adjunct professor at USC's School of Cinematic Arts, watched Sweeney's 2023 romantic comedy 'Anyone But You' on a plane to understand why the actress was garnering so much attention. She deemed the film "unwatchable."
"She's not pretty, she can't act," Baum said of Sweeney. She also asked her students to explain Sweeney's appeal, to which no one could provide an answer.
Following Baum's remarks, a representative for Sweeney condemned the producer's comments as "shameful." "How unfortunate that a woman in a position to share her knowledge and experience opts to attack another woman," the rep told The Post. "If that's what she's learned over her decades in the industry and feels is appropriate to teach her students, it's truly regrettable."
The rep further added, "To unjustly disparage a fellow female producer reflects poorly on Ms. Baum's character." Baum faced significant backlash online and later expressed regret for her comments, telling TMZ that publicly criticizing an actor is usually not her style.
Source link: https://nypost.com
