Sydney Sweeney denounces a false sorority in the film industry and an unhealthy competition between women in the industry.
Like the recent (and awesome) The Substance pointed out so well, an alienating female competition rages within the entertainment society. To find favor in front of the camera, many actresses have had to play the game of ruthless and objectifying judgment. Such a system can only result in fierce rivalry between actresses and female creatives (reinforced by the idea that there can only be a few chosen for many sacrificed), the possibility of a sisterhood in Hollywood has always been thwarted.
After the events of #MeToo movementand the evolution of morals, one would however have thought that all that has changed a little since then. Many beautiful speeches were made and solidarity between women seemed to have emerged in the film industry. However, for actress Sydney Sweeney, it's just window dressing. The root of the problem is still very present and feminism in Hollywood is hypocritical.
Sydney Sweeney carbure
Since his notable role in EuphoriaSydney Sweeney is trying to establish herself in the industry, through various means. If some only know her for her roles ranging from The White Lotus to comedy Everything except youthe actress actually has more than one string to her bow. She has already proven her talent as an actress and the diversity of her repertoire with films like Immaculate in 2024 or Reality in 2023. And she still risks surprising by soon embodying boxer Christy Martin in a future as-yet-untitled biopic.
In 2020, Sweeney also created his own production company, Fifty-Fifty Filmsand seems to be working hard to maintain complete control over his film career. At only 27 years old, the actress has already accomplished quite a bit and yet she finds that many still reduce her to her appearance and denigrate her efforts. During an interview with Vanity FairSydney Sweeney explained that she noticed a hypocrisy in the support shown for female creatives…even coming from other established female figures.
A sabotaged sorority
The actress did not mince her words about feminism that is still too superficial in Hollywood:
« It hurts so much when we see women putting other women down. Especially when they are successful in an area of this industry and they see new talents arriving, who work hard to get there, and who hope to succeed in their dream, whatever it may be. Seeing these women trying to discredit them, to minimize their work, is ugly. Throughout the industry we hear, 'Women helping other women gain power,' but there is no such thing. Everything is false, everyone talks behind everyone's back.
[…] I read that all our lives we have been raised – because it's a generational problem – to think that only one woman could be on top. The only one capable of conquering man. The one who can be… I don't know, everything she wants. And so the others fight to try to dethrone her, rather than helping each other to rise together. It's something I'm trying to get a good handle on. I pay attention to what I do, I behave as best as possible. But why am I constantly attacked?«
False pretenses
His comments come a few months after a scathing remark from Carol Baumproducer and associate professor at the American Film Institute. During a New York screening of Pretense in April 2024, Baum said about Sweeney: “I don’t understand Sydney Sweeney. […] I said to my class: 'Explain this girl to me. She's not pretty, she doesn't know how to act. What's so sexy about her?‘ »
Bitterly regretting seeing a woman who had succeeded in establishing herself in the film industry criticize a young producer for her physique and her popularity, Sydney Sweeney's spokesperson responded to Baum via Variety : “How sad that a woman in a position to share her expertise and experience would instead choose to attack another woman.«
In his interview with Vanity FairSweeney didn't directly name Carol Baum, but it's hard not to think about it. It is an explicit example of what the actress is precisely denouncing today and which, undoubtedly, is quite representative of a more global Hollywood system.
Sydney Sweeney will therefore continue to build her career, despite what is said or the concrete reality of the industry. Let us hope that his hope for more sincere female solidarity Don't be forever disappointed.
