As fans await Season 3 of Euphoria, more behind-the-scenes drama has seemingly emerged.
A new report from The Hollywood Reporter reveals that series creator Sam Levinson‘s dedication to the HBO disaster The Idol caused tension between him and series star Zendaya.
A production source told the outlet that Zendaya and Levinson “were thick as thieves” during Seasons 1 and 2 of Euphoria, noting that the actress “found him to be an inspiring director and she knew she was embodying him” while playing Rue, a character who struggles with her addiction and maintaining sobriety (Levinson went to rehab at age 19 for drug addiction).
However, while Levinson dedicated more time to The Idol — the short-lived series starring The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp that was canceled after one season — than expected, “Zendaya’s frustration grew,” THR reports, as Levinson “had not yet delivered scripts” for Euphoria Season 3. This allegedly led to her seeking out a meeting with HBO’s CEO Casey Bloys and head of drama Francesca Orsi.
Per THR, an explosive Rolling Stone report about The Idol only made things worse last March with claims that the show had become “sexual torture porn.” Shortly after publication, HBO issued a statement, writing, in part, that “the team made creative changes they felt were in the best interest of both the production and the cast and crew.”
The Weeknd also shot down the report as “irrelevant.”
Due to Zendaya’s work with Levinson on Euphoria, the actress was “swept up in fan backlash,” per THR, despite not wanting Levinson to get involved with The Idol and not having any involvement in the show herself. A meeting with Zendaya and Levinson, Bloys, and Orsi reportedly did not resolve any tensions, as one source explained, “They went from being so close, and they couldn’t fix it.”
Another point of conflict revolved around Levinson’s wife Ashley, whom Zendaya reportedly doesn’t want to be the show’s lone executive producer. However, one source placed blame on Zendaya for focusing on her own film career and stalling production on Euphoria.
HBO announced earlier this month that filming on Euphoria Season 3 will kick off in January 2025, per Variety.
DECIDER has reached out to HBO for additional comment, but did not hear back by time of publication.
The post ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 Reportedly Delayed By Zendaya’s Beef With Sam Levinson Over ‘The Idol’ appeared first on Decider.
