Sydney Sweeney has called out what she sees as the “fake” nature of female empowerment in Hollywood.
Despite her recent success, the 27-year-old actress expressed her disappointment with women’s tendency to criticize each other in the industry.
Speaking to Vanity Fair’s 2025 Hollywood Issue, Sweeney shared: “It’s very disheartening to see women tear other women down, especially when women who are successful in other avenues of their industry see younger talent working really hard – hoping to achieve whatever dreams that they may have – and then trying to bash and discredit any work that they’ve done.”
She went on to critique the industry’s lip service to solidarity, stating: “This entire industry, all people say is ‘Women empowering other women.’ None of it’s happening.
“All of it is fake and a front for all the other s— that they say behind everyone’s back.”
Confounded by the hostility directed at her, she concluded: “I’m still trying to figure it out. I’m just trying my best over here. Why am I getting attacked?”
Hollywood producer Carol Baum previously criticized Sydney, claiming she’s “not pretty” and lacks acting talent.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Carol expressed her confusion about Sydney’s popularity, stating: “There’s an actress who everybody loves now: Sydney Sweeney. I don’t get Sydney Sweeney.”
Sydney then came out slamming the producer with a statement to Variety.
It read: “How sad that a woman in the position to share her expertise and experience chooses instead to attack another woman.
“If that’s what she’s learned in her decades in the industry and feels is appropriate to teach to her students, that’s shameful. To unjustly disparage a fellow female producer speaks volumes about Ms. Baum’s character.”
