Sydney Sweeney Breaks Silence on Euphoria Cast Feud Speculation
Sydney Sweeney has finally addressed persistent rumors of a rift within the cast of the acclaimed HBO series Euphoria, including speculation involving her co-star Zendaya. For years, whispers have circulated about a strained relationship between Sweeney, 28, and Zendaya, 29, with claims ranging from differing political views to alleged romantic interest in Zendaya’s fiancé, Tom Holland.
The timing of these clarifications comes as the third and final season of Euphoria has recently aired. Notably, the two lead actresses did not share any direct on-screen interactions in the latest season, a fact that fueled speculation, especially given a significant delay before the season’s production and ongoing rumors of on-set drama.
Blame Placed on Media Narratives
When asked about managing the constant noise surrounding on-set drama and alleged feuds, Sweeney pointed to the media’s role in amplifying such stories. “Well, I mean, we all grew up together on this show, so it’s honestly crazy to watch how much social media and the press spin things,” Sweeney stated in a recent interview with Vanity Fair. She emphasized her contractual commitment to the show, explaining that her role in Euphoria took precedence over any other professional obligations.
Sweeney clarified her scheduling, stating, “So the moment they say, ‘Hey, this is the first day of filming,’ I’m legally not allowed to do anything else. So my schedule doesn’t affect the show.” She added, “And so that was funny to watch everybody spin narratives on it. All of us were in first position, so it wasn’t like any of our schedules were holding it up.”
Social Media Posts Fueling Speculation
Despite her efforts to downplay the rumors, Sweeney’s recent actions have drawn attention. Last week, she shared a gallery of behind-the-scenes photos from Euphoria on Instagram. While the post featured several co-stars, including her on-screen husband Jacob Elordi and Alexa Demie, Zendaya was conspicuously absent. This omission led fans to speculate that Zendaya has continued to distance herself from the season and that the two are not friends.
The whispers of a feud between Sweeney and Zendaya have been ongoing for years, with online speculation often focusing on Sweeney’s alleged interest in Tom Holland. Reports previously indicated that Sweeney had liked social media posts referring to the actor as “hot.” One source claimed, “There were tensions way back. It was an open secret that Sydney had the hots for Tom and was flirty with him when he would come to set.”
Premiere Night and Political Divides
Further fueling the narrative, Sweeney and Zendaya reportedly arrived separately at the premiere of the third season. Accounts suggest Zendaya arrived approximately an hour after Sweeney, with some observers claiming the actress was seen chatting warmly with Hunter Schafer while seemingly ignoring Sweeney. Additional clips circulated online after the premiere, with viewers interpreting them as evidence of the stars deliberately avoiding each other.
Sweeney’s political views have also been a point of contention, with some online discussions labeling her “MAGA Barbie.” In January, she pushed back against these labels, stating that she had been unfairly turned into a symbol in a broader culture war. “I’ve never been here to talk about politics. I’ve always been here to make art, so this is just not a conversation I want to be at the forefront of,” Sweeney explained. She expressed a feeling of being “boxed in by outside interpretations” and added, “I think because of that, people want to take it even further and use me as their own pawn.”
Sweeney also reflected on the difficulty of correcting public perception once it has been established. “I haven’t figured it out. I’m not a hateful person,” she stated. “If I say: ‘That’s not true’, they’ll come at me like: ‘You’re just saying that to look better’. There’s no winning. There’s never any winning.” She concluded, “I just have to continue being who I am, because I know who I am. I can’t make everyone love me. I know what I stand for.”
In contrast, Zendaya has been more open about her political stances, previously sharing a post in 2020 with the caption, “Vote this MF out,” making her opposition to Donald Trump clear.
