A reported tension between Zendaya and Euphoria Creator Sam Levinson emerged 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 have spoken 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 on season three, having held that role for the first two seasons.
One source suggested the reasons were largely practical.
“Zendaya had an incredibly demanding shooting 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 shared. Vanity Fairadding that she has still been crucial to the show’s development and has approved storylines.
The premiere itself seemed to provide a visual cue.
A video circulating on TikTok showed Zendaya apparently sidestepping a request from Levinson to pose for a photo on the red carpet, running away with her team before the photo could be taken.
Levinson has publicly attributed the long delay between seasons to a combination of industrial strikes, the cast’s competing schedules, and the desire to honor the memories of actors Eric Dane and Angus Cloud.
Sources suggest that the reality behind the scenes was more complicated.
Zendaya stars as Rue Bennett in the series, which returns for its third season today.
The new installment, set five years after the events of season two, finds the group of friends now navigating adulthood and struggling with faith, redemption and the nature of evil.
