Sydney Sweeney, the breakout star of Euphoria and The White Lotus, has boldly criticized the hypocrisy within Hollywood, especially when it comes to the so-called “women empowering women” movement. In a revealing interview with Vanity Fair, Sweeney pulled back the curtain on the entertainment industry, claiming that the slogans about female solidarity are nothing more than “facades” designed to cover up the deceit and competition that occur behind the scenes.
Hollywood’s Hypocrisy: Do Women Really Empower Women?
As one of the most promising young stars in Hollywood, Sweeney has been outspoken about the injustices she has witnessed in the industry. She argues that while many claim to champion the idea of “women empowering women,” the reality is far from that. “Everyone in this industry says ‘Women empower women,’ but does that really happen?” Sweeney asks bluntly. According to her, these phrases are just a cover-up for the behind-the-scenes drama and quiet competition many women in the industry engage in.
Sydney doesn’t shy away from calling out those who have found success in Hollywood but still choose to undermine younger talents. “It’s disheartening to see women tear down other women, especially when they see younger talents working hard to achieve their dreams,” she shares. Sweeney emphasizes that these women aren’t genuinely supporting their younger counterparts but instead are focused on preserving their own status by putting down the next generation.
Generational Issues and Competition Among Women
Sweeney explains that the tension and rivalry among women in the entertainment industry are not coincidences, but part of a deeper generational issue. “We’ve been raised to believe that only one woman can be at the top. One woman can get the man, one woman can have it all. And that makes other women feel like they have to fight and bring each other down instead of lifting each other up,” she says.
She also questions why young actresses like herself are often attacked instead of being supported. “Why am I being attacked just because I’m trying my hardest to make my dreams come true?” Sweeney expresses frustration. Rather than receiving encouragement, younger women like her face criticism from older colleagues.
Hollywood is Still Far from Empowering Women
Although Sweeney has achieved significant success in her career, she is not immune to the criticisms and discrimination that persist in Hollywood. A prime example is producer Carol Baum, who publicly criticized Sweeney, calling her “not beautiful” and “a terrible actress.” Baum even went so far as to call the film Anyone But You, which Sweeney starred in, “unwatchable.” These comments further highlight the hypocrisy in Hollywood, where women publicly talk about empowerment, yet privately undermine the very women they claim to support.
