Actress Sydney Sweeney , best known for her roles in ' Euphoria ', ' White Lotus ', and her hit rom-com ' Anyone But You ', voiced her frustration about the notion of female solidarity in Hollywood. She argued that the popular idea of “women supporting women” in the entertainment industry is largely “fake,” describing it as a front that hides negativity and gossip behind the scenes.

In a recent 'Vanity Fair' interview, Sweeney's comments follow a recent incident where she faced harsh criticism from veteran Hollywood producer Carol Baum. Earlier this year, Baum, known for producing films like 'Dead Ringers' and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', publicly criticized Sweeney’s talent and appeal. After watching 'Anyone But You', Baum said she couldn’t understand why Sweeney was so popular. According to 'Variety', she told her University of Southern California students: “There’s an actress everyone loves now – Sydney Sweeney. I watched her movie on a plane to see what the hype was about. I don’t get it. She’s not pretty, she can’t act. Why is she so popular?” She claimed her students couldn’t answer.

Sweeney, who has become one of Hollywood's rising stars in recent years, called Baum's comments “shameful.” She said it’s disappointing to see successful women tearing down younger female talent who are trying to build their own careers. Sweeney added that these harsh remarks only discourage those working hard to reach their goals. Her representative later responded to Baum’s remarks, noting that it was “sad” for someone with Baum's industry experience to attack another woman rather than share helpful advice or mentorship.

In the interview, Sweeney also reflected on why Hollywood may foster such a competitive environment among women. She said that a generational mindset has led many women to believe only one can be “at the top,” a dynamic where competition often outweighs mutual support. She explained, “We were raised – it’s a generational problem – to believe only one woman can be at the top, whether it’s getting the man or being successful.” This competitive attitude, Sweeney believes, leads to a cycle where women feel pressured to bring others down rather than lift each other up.

Despite the challenges, Sweeney expressed her desire to understand these dynamics, adding that she’s still figuring things out herself. For now, she said she’s just doing her best and feels unfairly criticized for it.