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As Euphoria finally returns after years of delays, the drama surrounding its third season is proving just as gripping as anything on screen.
Zendaya has already sparked fresh speculation after making a brief appearance at the premiere before leaving early, fuelling questions about her relationship with the show.
At the same time, rumours of a long-running rift with co-star Sydney Sweeney have resurfaced, driven by her absence from new promotional material.
Behind the scenes, reports of tensions involving creator Sam Levinson have painted a picture of a production marked by creative clashes and delays.
Even the show’s signature sound has been caught up in the chaos, with composer Labrinth publicly distancing himself from the series.
With Zendaya now hinting this could be the final chapter, season three is arriving under a cloud of uncertainty.
Why did Zendaya leave the Euphoria season 3 premiere early?
Zendaya made a fleeting appearance at the Euphoria season three premiere before leaving shortly after arriving — and fans immediately took notice.
A widely circulated clip shows the actor posing for photos on the red carpet before making a swift exit before watching the premiere.
The moment quickly gained traction online, with some viewers questioning whether it hinted at her current relationship with the show ahead of its long-delayed return.
While there’s no confirmation of any deeper meaning behind her early departure, the timing — just days before the new season drops on April 13, 2026 — has only intensified speculation.
Zendaya–Sydney Sweeney ‘feud’ rumours
Sydney Sweeney has once again found herself at the centre of alleged tensions with Zendaya, especially after fans noticed her absence from a newly released promotional clip.
The HBO teaser featured Zendaya alongside co-stars including Hunter Schafer, Maude Apatow and Alexa Demie — but Sweeney was notably missing.
The absence reignited long-running rumours of a rift between the two actors, which first surfaced in 2025.
At the time, reports suggested the pair had clashed over alleged political differences, with claims Zendaya had refused to do joint press with Sweeney. At this point, neither star has publicly addressed the speculation.
The whispers were further fuelled by controversy surrounding Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign, which drew unexpected praise from Donald Trump.
The campaign saw the blonde-haired, blue-eyed actress dressed in their denim, with a tagline reading: ‘Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.’
Meanwhile campaign videos saw the company use ‘genes’ and ‘jeans’ in a play on words.
‘Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality and even eye colour. My jeans are blue,’ she said in one of them, which was taken down from social media soon after being released.
The backlash came quick and fast, with many accusing the campaign of being ‘tone deaf’ and even promoting eugenics theory, which suggests that humanity could be improved through selective breeding.
Zendaya, meanwhile, has previously been outspoken in her criticism of Trump, dating back to his first election win in 2016.
An insider previously 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 apologise for the racist ad.’
Sweeney later pushed back on assumptions about her ‘conservative’ political beliefs, telling Cosmopolitan that public narratives about her were ‘not me’ and had become ‘unhealthy’ to engage with.
A source previously said the bad blood had more to do with Zendaya’s partner, Tom Holland, with whom she may have recently secretly tied the knot.
The insider said: ‘Euphoria bosses are all too aware the pair do not get on. 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.
Speaking to The Sun, the source added: ‘That did not go down well with Zendaya. They have not really hung out socially since then. Their paths barely crossed during the making of season three.’
Are Sam Levinson and Zendaya feuding?
Series creator Sam Levinson has also been at the centre of reported behind-the-scenes challenges as Euphoria heads into its third season.
A detailed Hollywood Reporter exposé painted a picture of strained relationships, production delays and creative tensions, including a reported cooling of Levinson’s once-close bond with Zendaya.
The pair had previously collaborated closely, with Zendaya even shadowing Levinson as a director and co-starring in Malcolm & Marie.
However, reports suggest frustration grew when scripts for season three were delayed, particularly as Levinson shifted focus to The Idol — a project that ultimately faced significant backlash.
In March 2023, Rolling Stone published an exposé on Levinson’s allegedly chaotic creative process.
Zendaya is said to have raised concerns directly with HBO executives about Euphoria delays, while later meetings between her and Levinson reportedly failed to fully repair their working relationship.
THR wrote: ‘HBO execs who hoped the gathering would help bring about a reconciliation between director and star wound up disappointed. “They went from being so close, and they couldn’t fix it,” says a source involved with the show.’
The production has also been marked by wider upheaval, including the death of producer Kevin Turen and ongoing questions about leadership dynamics behind the scenes.
Labrinth’s shock outburst adds to the drama
British artist Labrinth — whose music has become synonymous with Euphoria — added another layer of uncertainty after publicly criticising both the show and his record label.
In a now-viral Instagram post, Labrinth wrote on March 13: ‘I’m done with this industry. F*** Columbia. Double f*** Euphoria. I’m out.’
It remains unclear what prompted the outburst — or what it means for season three, especially as it was reported in January that famed film composer Hans Zimmer would collaborate with Labrinth for the season’s music.
‘Another chapter in the ‘Euphoria’ universe!’ Labrinth said in a statement at the time Zimmer’s involvement was announced. ‘So great to join Hans, one of my heroes in film score, and bring some new magic to this new season. Love x.’
Will season 3 be the end of Euphoria?
Amid all the speculation, Zendaya herself has suggested that Euphoria may be nearing its conclusion.
Appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show, she indicated that the upcoming season is ‘probably’ the last.
When Barrymore asked if the upcoming third season would be the last, Zendaya said, ‘I think so, yeah.’
Barrymore added, ‘I never want to ask questions like that, because it’s not my business, and yet, is this to be enjoyed knowing [it will end]?’ Zendaya repeated herself, saying, ‘Yes, I think so.’
‘I almost need to know the mindframe [before watching],’ Barrymore said, and Zendaya responded, ‘That closure is coming.’
If confirmed, season three won’t just mark the show’s long-awaited return, but potentially its final chapter.
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