Hollywood actor Sydney Sweeney has reportedly faced behind-the-scenes ridicule after sharing a childhood ghost story in a recent interview, with insiders saying the incident exposed persistent stereotypes within studio culture.

The Euphoria and White Lotus star recently spoke to W Magazine about her career journey, reflecting on projects ranging from the romantic comedy Anyone But You, opposite Glen Powell, to her upcoming erotic thriller The Housemaid.

During the interview, Sweeney was asked whether she believes in ghosts. In response, she shared a personal childhood memory from her preschool years.

“I think I’ve seen a ghost,” Sweeney said. “When I was little, I used to have an imaginary friend. He would be on the playground at preschool. I would tell my mom about him. It turns out that he was someone who passed away before I was born. It creeped my mom out.”

Studio reaction behind closed doors

While the anecdote was offered as a lighthearted personal reflection, studio insiders told Marca that the response from some executives was far from empathetic.

According to an anonymous source, the story was reportedly mocked in private conversations rather than taken at face value or seen as a harmless childhood memory.

“They hear about ghosts and miss any nuance,” the source claimed. “All they see is the ‘dumb blonde’ stereotype, assuming she’s unfit for serious roles.”

Stereotypes still haunting Hollywood

The source added that the anecdote was dismissed as silly or trivial, highlighting broader concerns about how actresses — particularly younger women — continue to be judged for personal remarks instead of their professional work.

Despite Sweeney’s growing list of critically acclaimed performances, the reaction reportedly reflects lingering biases in parts of the industry that reduce women to outdated stereotypes.