Sydney Sweeney has sparked fresh online speculation about a possible rift with her “Euphoria” co-star Zendaya after posting behind-the-scenes photos from the HBO drama following Sunday night’s Season 3 finale. The carousel featured cast members including Jacob Elordi, Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, and the late Eric Dane, but Zendaya was not included. Sweeney captioned the post, “It’s called… acting,” a comment many interpreted as a response to criticism of her provocative portrayal of Cassie Howard.
Fans quickly reacted in the comments, pointing out Zendaya’s absence and revisiting long-running rumors that the two actresses may not be on friendly terms off-screen. Some users suggested there had been tension for months, while others pointed to the lack of shared photos as evidence of a deeper divide. The speculation spread rapidly across social media after the post went live.
Rumors of conflict between Sweeney and Zendaya have circulated for much of the past year. In November 2025, reports claimed the two were “locked in a bitter feud,” with speculation that differing political views may have contributed to the rumored fallout. Sweeney, a registered Republican voter, also faced backlash over a denim ad campaign that critics argued carried racist undertones. Around the same time, reports suggested Zendaya had avoided participating in press appearances with Sweeney during the Season 3 rollout, and the pair were said to have kept their distance at public events.
The rumors intensified again in March when Sweeney was absent from a cast photoshoot, though later reporting said the missing appearance was due to a scheduling conflict while she filmed a scene. Questions resurfaced the following month after fans claimed the two stars appeared to avoid each other at the Season 3 premiere. Despite the repeated speculation, no concrete evidence has confirmed any personal dispute.
Not everyone connected to “Euphoria” believes the feud narrative. Cast member Jessica Blair Herman publicly dismissed the rumors, saying Sweeney and Zendaya have built a strong professional relationship. She explained that fans may be reading too much into the lack of joint photos, noting that the actors do not share many scenes and often film on different days because their storylines are separate.
The finale itself became the bigger talking point after leaving viewers shocked by what appeared to be the death of Zendaya’s character, Rue Bennett. According to creator Sam Levinson, the storyline was shaped in part by personal grief and by the 2023 death of former cast member Angus Cloud. Levinson said he wanted to tell a raw story about addiction and fentanyl without softening the reality of relapse and overdose.
Cloud died in 2023 from an accidental overdose involving methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and benzodiazepines. His death followed a difficult period in which he had recently lost his father. His mother later said he had been looking forward to future projects and supporting his family. “Euphoria” is now streaming on HBO Max.
