Sydney Sweeney challenges stereotypes as a Hollywood producer, sharing that despite founding Fifty-Fifty Films in 2020, she still faces doubts about her credibility, often from women within the industry. In a recent discussion with The Times, Sweeney highlighted these hurdles and described her efforts to overcome them.
“To be honest, actually, I always find that it’s the women who give me the hardest time,”
-Sydney Sweeney, Actress and Producer
While building her company and producing projects, Sweeney insists on being actively involved at every level. She explained her approach, saying,
“I have to be like, I want to be in the room, I want to sit in every single meeting and want to be involved in every decision, I want to be taken seriously as a producer.”
Sweeney emphasized the importance of communicating directly and clearly:
“I’m very direct, I’m very blunt.”
Typecasting and Public Perception After “Euphoria”
Sweeney also described difficulties faced during auditions, partly due to her portrayal of Cassie in the hit HBO series “Euphoria,” produced by A24. She revealed that some industry professionals struggle to see her outside of her breakout role, leading to typecasting and skepticism.
“I see it all the time where they don’t think I am right for [a role] because they watched Cassie in Euphoria. Especially because Cassie was such a sexualized character — that puts a wall up for people,”
-Sydney Sweeney, Actress and Producer
Striving to break free from these expectations, Sweeney pushed back against the idea of being one-dimensional, stating,
“I feel like I’m constantly having to be like, no, no, I’m an actor, I’m supposed to be different characters.”
Sydney Sweeney’s Ongoing Journey With “Euphoria” and Its Impact
Production for the third season of “Euphoria” was announced in February 2025. Sweeney’s performance as Cassie, alongside castmates Zendaya and Hunter Schafer, propelled her into the spotlight. She explained the depth of her character and defended her against being labeled as superficial.
“She might look like a one-note dumb blonde, pull-your-tits-out kind of girl,”
-Sydney Sweeney, Actress and Producer
“But she’s not. There’s so much more to her.”
-Sydney Sweeney, Actress and Producer
The upcoming season is set to follow the characters’ lives after their high school graduation. Sweeney spoke about returning to the role, saying,
“Being back is crazy, I love Cassie so much. She’s insane.”
Life in the Spotlight and Sacrifices Made
Sweeney, now 27, began acting as a child and was driven from a young age, even presenting her parents with a detailed five-year plan. Reflecting on her journey and the impacts of fame, she discussed what she’s lost along the way.
“Like privacy. Which is huge. You don’t realise how much that means until you lose it. I see all the time: ‘Oh, they sold themselves, they knew what they were signing up for.’ But 18-year-old me had no idea what she was signing up for.”
-Sydney Sweeney, Actress and Producer
The Broader Significance of Sweeney’s Experience
Sweeney’s experiences illustrate the complex dynamics women face in Hollywood, from being doubted as a producer to battling typecasting as an actress. Through her determination and transparency, she continues to challenge industry norms and open conversations about representation and agency, influencing both audiences and her peers as she shapes projects at Fifty-Fifty Films and beyond.
