Kaylah Walton
Sydney Sweeney is known for expressing her opinions openly, and she has recently responded to negative comments from veteran Hollywood producer Carol Baum.
Baum ignited controversy this year by dismissing Sweeney‘s talent and appearance, questioning, “She’s not pretty, she can’t act. Why is she so hot?”
Additionally, Baum criticized Sweeney‘s romantic comedy *Anyone But You*, labeling it as “unwatchable.” Although Sweeney‘s representatives quickly denounced Baum’s remarks, the *Euphoria* star has now shared her own thoughts, highlighting Hollywood’s detrimental culture.
In a Vanity Fair interview, Sweeney expressed her dismay at women undermining each other, especially from someone with considerable success like Baum.
“It’s incredibly disappointing to see women tearing each other down, especially when it comes from someone who’s achieved so much in their own career,” she stated.
Moreover, Sweeney remarked on the irony of the industry’s claims about “women supporting women,” suggesting that much of it is performative. “A lot of it is just a façade for the gossip and negativity that happens behind closed doors,” she added.
She pointed out that this toxic mindset stems from societal beliefs that foster competition among women. “We’ve been raised to believe that only one woman can succeed, whether it’s in a career, relationships, or anything else,” Sweeney explained.
Despite facing criticism, Sweeney‘s career flourishes, with *Anyone But You* achieving over $220 million globally—an accomplishment she attributes to her audience’s authenticity. “I loved how authentic the audience’s reaction was. They fell in love with the movie and shared it with others,” she said. The film’s marketing strategy, which capitalized on speculation about her chemistry with co-star Glen Powell, also contributed to its success.
Reflecting on this, Sweeney mentioned, “We weren’t planning to address the strategy, but when you say no to a question, people assume the worst.”
Additionally, hosting *Saturday Night Live* allowed her to take control of her narrative. “I pushed to address certain rumors during my monologue. It felt empowering to take control of the narrative and show my authentic self,” she shared.
Plans for the Future
With *Euphoria* back in production and several other projects, including the thriller *Echo Valley* and a *Barbarella* remake, Sweeney remains focused on her work and her production roles.
Although her path has encountered hurdles, she remains determined. “Why am I being attacked? I’m just doing my best,” she expressed.
As she navigates her career, Sweeney aspires to inspire real change in Hollywood. “It’s about time we stop this toxic culture and start truly supporting one another,” she concluded.
With her resilience and ambition, Sydney Sweeney exemplifies that criticism will not overshadow her success.
