HBO’s Euphoria is coming up with a third season, but off-screen drama is stealing the spotlight. According to The Daily Mail,
[Zendaya] is said to be ‘refusing’ to do Press calls for the upcoming third season of Euphoria with Sweeney after filming finished earlier this month.
The two actresses, who were once all smiles and mutual admirers during earlier seasons, have reportedly gone from besties to barely speaking. With the show set to premiere in spring 2026, this tension couldn’t come at a worse time.
Let’s break down the full story of what exactly went down between Rue and Cassie’s real-life counterparts.
The American Eagle Ad Controversy & Zendaya-Sweeney Feud
In July 2025, Sydney Sweeney featured in a controversial American Eagle campaign with the tagline
Sydney Sweeney has great jeans
(playing on “jeans” sounding like “genes”). The internet erupted with critics slamming the ad for allegedly promoting white supremacist ideology. Things got even spicier when President Donald Trump jumped into the fray, praising the ad on Truth Social and calling it the “HOTTEST ad.”
And Sweeney didn’t apologize. In a GQ interview (via The Wrap), she said:
I did a jean ad. The reaction was a surprise. When I have an issue I want to speak about, people will hear.
An insider told The Daily Mail:
It’s a difficult position for Zendaya to be in because if she even stands next to Sydney on the red carpet, it can be read as her excusing Sydney’s views on Trump and her refusal to apologize for the racist ad.
Zendaya vs. Sydney Sweeney: Political Differences Exposed
Politics is actually the real wedge here because Zendaya has never been shy about her anti-Trump stance. After his 2016 win, she posted:
A post shared by Zendaya (@zendaya)
In 2020, she again posted:
A post shared by Zendaya (@zendaya)
Sydney Sweeney, on the other hand, has been linked to Republican circles. Photos had guests wearing MAGA-style hats on her mom’s 60th birthday party in 2022. Sweeney defended it as an “innocent celebration,” but the damage was done.
You guys this is wild. An innocent celebration for my moms milestone 60th birthday has turned into an absurd political statement, which was not the intention. Please stop making assumptions. Much love to everyone ♥️ and Happy Birthday Mom!
Here’s a quick breakdown of their political histories:
The contrast is stark, and it’s apparently enough to keep these two from standing side-by-side.
What This Means for Euphoria Season 3
Euphoria‘s production wrapped in February 2025, showing the characters beyond high school. Zendaya’s excited about exploring Rue’s sobriety journey:
I want to see what Rue looks like in her sobriety journey, how chaotic that might look
(via The Hollywood Reporter). The main cast are all back too, and new faces include Rosalía, Sharon Stone, and Marshawn Lynch. But how do you promote a show when your two biggest stars won’t even be in the same room? Neither actress has commented publicly on the rumors, but insiders tell The Daily Mail that Zendaya’s A-list status has made her conscious of her brand.
Want to catch up on Euphoria before Season 3? All episodes are streaming now on HBO Max, and Season 3 premieres in spring 2026.
