Sydney Sweeney has recently called out what she believes is a “fake” narrative about women empowering other women in Hollywood, especially after Carol Baum, a prominent film producer, criticized Sweeney’s looks and acting abilities.
The Truth Behind “Women Empowering Women”
In an interview with Vanity Fair for its 2025 Hollywood issue, the 27-year-old actress shared her thoughts on the industry’s claims of supporting women.
“The entire industry, everyone keeps saying, ‘Women empower other women,'” Sweeney stated. “But nothing’s happening. It’s all fake and just a cover-up for all the nonsense people talk behind each other’s backs.”
Sweeney expressed her frustration, saying, “It’s disheartening to see women bring down other women,” adding, “Especially when successful women in their fields see younger, hardworking talents trying to achieve their dreams.”
The star of Euphoria couldn’t pinpoint exactly why some women feel the need to tear each other down but called it a “generational issue,” stemming from the belief that “only one woman can rise to the top.”
Sweeney elaborated, “There’s this idea that there can only be one woman who can get the man, or one woman who can, I don’t know, do anything.”
“Because of that, everyone else feels they have to fight or bring that woman down instead of saying, ‘Let’s lift each other up,’” she continued.
The White Lotus star admitted that she is “still trying to figure it out” but is simply doing her best in the meantime.
“Why am I being attacked?” Sweeney concluded her profound message.
The Baum Controversy
Earlier this year, Carol Baum, a prominent Hollywood producer, made headlines after criticizing Sweeney following a screening of Baum’s 1988 film Dead Ringers at the Jacob Burns Center in New York, as reported by Daily Mail.
“I don’t get Sydney Sweeney,” said the producer of Father of the Bride in April. She explained that she tried to watch Sweeney’s 2023 romantic comedy Anyone But You but found it “unwatchable.”
Baum also shared that she had asked University of Southern California film students about the hype surrounding Sweeney, but “no one had an answer.”
“I told my class, ‘Explain this girl to me. She’s not pretty, she can’t act. Why is she so alluring?’” Baum recalled.
However, Sweeney’s representative did not take these comments lightly.
“It’s unfortunate when a woman in a position to share expertise and experience chooses to attack another woman,” the representative said.
“If that’s what she’s learned in her decades in the industry and feels it’s right to teach her students, it’s truly shameful. Unjustly bringing down a fellow female producer speaks volumes about Carol Baum’s character.”
A few days later, Baum apologized for publicly shaming Sweeney, acknowledging her regret.
