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Zendaya and Sam Levinson have worked closely for years on Euphoria, openly expressing admiration for each other. Recently, though, rumors suggest their relationship may have become strained.
Speculation about a rift began when Zendaya’s busy schedule was rumored to have delayed Euphoria‘s third season. However, she addressed the rumors directly, denying that her availability was a factor.
“I’ve been off for a couple of years, so not delayed because of my [schedule]. … I’ve been open, just waiting,” she shared in a Vanity Fair interview published Wednesday, November 13.
The 28-year-old actress pointed out that her two major films this year, Dune: Part Two and Challengers, were both filmed in 2022. “I haven’t been on a set in, like, two years almost,” she said, admitting that her time away has left her feeling a bit “rusty” and even questioning her ability to perform.
Zendaya also confirmed that Euphoria‘s third season is slated to begin filming in January 2025, though she has not yet read any scripts. “I’m excited to see what everyone has been working on, and what the future looks like for Euphoria,” she said, promising fans she will “do justice by the people who love and care about” her character, Rue Bennett.
Her comments follow a Hollywood Reporter story from July 2024 that claimed tensions between Zendaya and Levinson had caused delays, with an insider suggesting Zendaya was increasingly focused on her film career. “It was all about [Zendaya],” a source close to Sam said, implying she had been prioritizing other projects.
During the first two seasons of Euphoria, Zendaya and Sam “were thick as thieves,” the source claimed. “She found him to be an inspiring director and she knew she was embodying him” in her role as drug addict Rue. (Sam had gone to rehab at 19 to get off opiates and methamphetamines.) However, the report also claimed that Zendaya’s once-close relationship with the director had “cooled,” leading to resentment.
Things also reportedly quickly turned when the producer took on another project.
“Levinson wound up spending far more time on The Idol than anticipated” and “Zendaya’s frustration grew,” per the outlet.
According to the report, Zendaya was not pleased with the delay of Euphoria and even had a meeting with executives to find out “why the network allowed Levinson to turn his attention to another show.”
Despite production delays and casting changes, HBO announced in July that filming for the eight-episode season — set to include a time jump, allowing Zendaya, Jacob Elordi and Sydney Sweeney to play older characters — will officially begin in early 2025.
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