Zendaya has responded to Sam Levinson, the creator of HBO’s Euphoria, after he reportedly blamed her for the delay in the production of the show’s third season.
Zendaya Addresses Delay Claims
“I’ll just say, I took a break for a couple of years, so it wasn’t my schedule that caused the delays. … I’ve been available, just waiting,” the actress told Vanity Fair in an interview published on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old star emphasized that while she has two major films slated for release this year — Dune: Part Two and Challengers — both were filmed in 2022.
“I haven’t acted in almost two years,” Zendaya explained, admitting that she sometimes worries about whether she can “still do this.”
Despite the hiatus, the Emmy-winning actress reassured fans that Euphoria remains on track to return in January, though she did not offer any additional details about the new season.
“I haven’t read anything yet, but I’m excited to see what everyone’s been working on and where Euphoria will go,” she said. Zendaya also assured fans she would “do justice to those who love and care about” her character, Rue Bennett.
Delays and Future of ‘Euphoria’
Zendaya’s remarks come less than four months after a bombshell report about Euphoria’s future. The report suggested that the star had “slowed things down” to focus on her burgeoning film career.
A source close to Levinson told in July, “It’s all about Zendaya. Everyone wants to make it about Sam, but it’s her.”
The report further claimed that Zendaya’s once-close relationship with the 39-year-old showrunner had “cooled,” leading to tensions on set.
Euphoria debuted in June 2019, garnering critical acclaim, but hasn’t released new episodes since February 2022. HBO has repeatedly delayed production on the third season, which will feature an eight-episode arc and include a time jump to transition the characters — played by Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, and Sydney Sweeney — out of high school.
In July, the network announced that filming would finally commence in early 2025.
Exclusive sources have told Page Six that the series may conclude with Season 3. HBO reportedly wants to “end on a high note,” ensuring a grand finale for the acclaimed drama.
