Sydney Sweeney’s voice is unmistakably resolute. In her recent “Vanity Fair” interview, the actress delivered a pointed critique of Hollywood’s rhetoric on female empowerment. At 27, with roles in *Euphoria* and “The White Lotus” under her belt, Sweeney is no stranger to the highs and lows of the industry. But it’s the industry’s repeated claim that women consistently support each other that she finds particularly disingenuous, calling it out as “fake” and merely a veneer masking deeper issues.
The conversation with “Vanity Fair” turned sharp when Sweeney recounted an incident involving disparaging comments from a female producer about her appearance and talent. To Sweeney, this wasn’t just an isolated event—it was emblematic of a larger, troubling pattern. “It’s very disheartening to see women tear other women down,” she admitted. The words carried the weight of someone who’s seen ambition met not just with competition, but with undermining tactics from peers who should be allies. The industry’s golden phrase, “women empowering other women,” she claims, is largely absent in practice. Instead, behind the smiles and staged camaraderie lies a cutthroat reality.
The criticism Sweeney faced came from none other than Carol Baum, a veteran producer with a career spanning decades. Baum’s scathing remarks during a panel in New York laid bare the undercurrent of judgment Sweeney spoke of. To say Sweeney wasn’t “pretty” or that her talent was questionable struck at the heart of the issue. Despite Sweeney’s dual role as star and executive producer on films like *Anyone But You*, Baum’s comments hinted at an industry still reluctant to acknowledge young women’s multifaceted accomplishments.
A statement from Sweeney’s camp jabbed at the producer: “How sad that a woman in the position to share her expertise… chooses instead to attack another woman.” It’s a rebuke that underscores a glaring inconsistency in Hollywood’s approach to empowerment. For Sweeney, whose journey includes not just acting but also founding her production company, Fifty-Fifty Films, such attacks are a stark reminder of the barriers that remain.
There’s more to this, though.
Note what has happened.
A Hollywood actress known for her tough-girl persona and soaring popularity is now pushing back against the norm to elevate her profile (be cool). In this case, that means mocking wokeism.
What a turn of events.