Hollywood producer Carol Baum criticized actress Sydney Sweeney and her film Anyone But You during a discussion with her students at The University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. Baum questioned Sweeney’s popularity, stating that she doesn’t find her attractive or talented. Despite her personal opinions, Baum acknowledged the importance of casting choices in getting a movie made, emphasizing the difficulty of turning down opportunities in the industry.
Sweeney’s representative responded to Baum’s comments, calling out her actions as inappropriate and shameful for attacking another woman in the industry. Baum, known for producing successful films like Father of the Bride and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is not the only Hollywood figure to speak out against Anyone But You. Actress Geraldine Viswanathan expressed the need for more diversity in the romantic comedy genre, advocating for greater representation on screen.
Viswanathan voiced her support for a “rom-com resurgence” but emphasized the importance of seeing people of color in leading roles in romantic comedies. She highlighted the need for more diverse stories and casting choices within the genre, citing her recent viewing of the Netflix miniseries One Day as a positive step toward representation in Hollywood. Despite some criticisms, Anyone But You performed well at the box office, earning $200 million worldwide.
Sydney Sweeney expressed gratitude to her fans for their support of the film, acknowledging their continuous love and positive reception. Despite the controversy surrounding the movie and differing opinions within the industry, Sweeney remained appreciative of the success of Anyone But You. The film’s performance at the box office reflected its popularity among audiences, proving to be a commercial success despite mixed reviews among Hollywood figures.
