Baum met the audience during a special screening “Inseparable” David Cronenberg, of which she was the producer. The conversation was moderated by Janet Maslin, a critic from The New York Times. Baum suddenly decided to share with the audience her doubts about the career of the “Euphoria” star.
“There is an actress that everyone loves now: Sydney Sweeney. I don't understand her (the phenomenon). I wanted to see one of her films while traveling on a plane. I wanted to find out who she is and why everyone is talking about her. I saw this unwatchable film (' Just not you') – I'm sorry to the people who liked it… A romantic comedy about people who hate each other,” said the producer.
Baum said she brought up the actress with her students during a class at the University of Southern California. “I told them: Explain this to me. She's not pretty, she can't act. Why is she so popular? No one could answer me. Then the question arose: if I could produce a film because she was cast in it, would I do it? Then a difficult question because we all want our films to be made, and who turns their back on the green light? No one I know,” she continued. Her words were quoted by the tabloid “Daily Mail”.
People representing Sweeney responded to Baum's criticism. “How sad that a woman in an important position, who could share her knowledge and experience, chose instead to attack another woman. If this is what she has learned during her decades in the film industry and feels it is worth passing on to her students, then that is why to shame. Unfairly discrediting another producer speaks primarily of Ms. Baum's character,” we read in a statement published on Variety.
According to TMZ, Baum “regrets her words” and “would prefer never to share her comments (about Sweeney) with anyone.”
26-year-old Sweeney's career has recently gained momentum. Her breakthrough was appearing in the series “Euphoria” for which she received an Emmy nomination. Over the last year, three films with her participation – thrillers – were released in cinemas “Reality”romantic comedy “Just Not You” and a comic book dud “Madam Web”. An independent horror film is waiting for its premiere “Immaculate”. It will debut in Polish cinemas on May 12, 2024.