Sydney Sweeney, known for her roles in breakout hits and as a producer, has faced unwarranted criticism from veteran producer Carol Baum. During a discussion event, Baum questioned Sweeney’s appeal and acting skills, which sparked a strong response from Sweeney’s camp. In a statement to PEOPLE, Sweeney’s representative expressed disappointment, stating, “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.”
Baum, who has worked on notable projects like Father of the Bride and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, made the comments while speaking with film critic Janet Maslin in Pleasantville, New York. She critiqued Sweeney’s performance in the romantic comedy Anyone But You, which she described as “unwatchable,” and admitted to not understanding the young actress’s rising popularity.
The controversy continued as Baum, also an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California, shared these views in her class, questioning Sweeney’s attractiveness and talent.
Following the backlash, Baum expressed regret over her remarks, clarifying to TMZ that it was unusual for her to speak negatively about performers. Meanwhile, Sweeney’s recent projects, including Anyone But You and the horror film Immaculate, continue to attract audiences, with the former set to stream on Netflix and the latter available on multiple platforms.
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