Sydney Sweeney of “Euphoria” and “The White Lotus,” lashes out against the female empowerment narrative in Hollywood. Speaking to Vanity Fair recently, she has shunned the whole “women empowering women” narrative within the industry as fake. However, Sweeney expressed her disappointment as successful women actively undermined talented newcomers in the industry, emphasizing, “It’s very disheartening to see women tear other women down.”
Generational Conditioning and Competition Among Women
Sweeney argues that society has perpetuated a system where women are pitted against each other. Women taught from the beginning that there could only be one, not need for competition. She said, “We were raised… to believe only one woman can be at the top.”
Public Critique by Producer Carol Baum
Earlier this year, veteran producer Carol Baum sparked public scrutiny of Sweeney by criticizing her “actress qualities” and looks. In a panel discussion, Baum asked Sweeney: “She’s not pretty, she can’t act.” A member of Sweeney’s team fired back, calling Baum’s comments “shameful” and emphasizing that women do not support one another in the industry.
Industry’s Superficial Support and Private Undermining
Sweeney’s story echoes a common thread in Hollywood, where showy support for the voices in front of and behind the camera masks disrespectful whispers behind closed doors. She said the focus on women is often illusory in the industry, saying: “None of it’s happening. All of it is fake and a front.”
Advocacy for Genuine Female Empowerment
Sweeney acknowledged this but still called on women in Hollywood to be natural supporters of one another. Instead of trying to bring each other down, we need to build ourselves and others up. Her candid comments have sparked discussions about empowering women in entertainment.
