Reported tension between Zendaya and Euphoria Creator Sam Levinson has surfaced just as the show’s long-awaited third season arrives, adding a new layer to the behind-the-scenes drama that has surrounded the HBO series.
According to sources who spoke to Vanity Fairthe once-close collaborators grew apart during the long gap between seasons two and three, with Zendaya becoming less involved in the development of the new installment.
Notably, she does not have an executive producer credit for the third season, after serving in that role during the first two seasons.
One source suggested the reasons were largely practical.
“Zendaya has had an incredibly demanding filming schedule in 2025 and has several major projects coming out this year, so she was unable to commit to serving as an executive producer this season,” they said. Vanity Fairadding that she always played a vital role in the development of the series and approved the storylines.
The first itself seemed to offer a visual cue.
A video circulating on TikTok showed Zendaya apparently bypassing a request from Levinson to pose for a photo on the red carpet, rushing off with her team before the photo could be taken.
Levinson has publicly attributed the long delay between seasons to a combination of industry strikes, competing cast schedules, and a desire to honor the memory of actors Eric Dane and Angus Cloud.
Sources suggest the reality behind the scenes was more complicated.
Zendaya plays Rue Bennett in the series, which returns today for its third season.
Set five years after the events of the second season, the new installment introduces the group of friends now navigating adulthood and grappling with faith, redemption and the nature of evil.
