Sydney Sweeney hits back at ‘shameful’ producer who said she can’t act and isn’t pretty

Sydney Sweeney has hit back at a “shameful” Hollywood producer who criticised her acting ability and asked, “Why is she so hot?”.

The actress, who was nominated for two Emmys this year, said that she felt “unjustly disparaged” after hearing the comments made by Carol Baum.

Earlier this week, Baum told the audience at a film screening that the 26-year-old was an “actor that everyone loves now” but that she “didn’t get” the hype surrounding the White Lotus star.

“I said to my class, ‘Explain this girl to me. She’s not pretty, she can’t act. Why is she so hot?,” Baum, who teaches at the University of Southern California said.

In response to the comments, a representative for Sweeney told Variety magazine: “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.”

At the screening Baum, who has produced hits including Dead Ringers and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, also criticised the romantic comedy Anyone But You, starring Sweeney, which took £218 million (£175 million) worldwide at the box office.

“I wanted to know who she is and why everybody’s talking about her. I watched this unwatchable movie – sorry to people who love this … romantic comedy where they hate each other.”

This year Sweeney received Emmy nominations for Euphoria and The White Lotus and recently starred in and produced the horror film Immaculate.

Teddy Schwarzman, a co-producer on Immaculate, also came to her defence.

“I’ll enlighten Ms Baum that two-time Emmy nominee Sydney Sweeney is not only one of the most talented actresses I’ve worked with, but also incredibly smart, kind and humble,” Mr Schwarzman wrote on social media.

He added: “I’m not sure why someone who claims to still be a producer would make such terribly ugly comments.”

Baum told TMZ, the celebrity news website, that she regrets her comments.