Sharon Stone believes there are valuable lessons to be learned from “Euphoria” and has even suggested the HBO drama should be mandatory viewing in high schools.
The actress made the suggestion during a conversation with Keke Palmer, who appeared to push back against critics who have dismissed the series as overly risqué.
The pair also discussed issues affecting women, with Stone revealing that her marriage began to unravel after her ex-husband opposed her decision to undergo a mastectomy.
Stone is triggering a conversation about teen mental health after suggesting HBO’s critically acclaimed yet controversial series “Euphoria” should be required viewing for high school students.
The 68-year-old actress sat down with Palmer for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from their humble upbringings and experiences as single mothers to their admiration for the hit teen drama.
Despite the criticism the series has faced, Stone said she was moved to tears by the way it portrays its characters’ struggles, arguing that it reflects challenges many young people experience in real life.
“When the first episode ended, I just sat there and cried. And then I read these reviews about how people wanted it to be this happy ending, and I’m like, ‘What you saw was so honest,’” she said, per Variety.
“‘Euphoria’ is so relevant. I believe it should be shown in every high school, and I think all the parents should have to see it. As a mom, I love it,” she added.
Stone Shares Family Drug Struggle
Stone joined the cast of “Euphoria” in Season 3 as Patty Lance, a powerful Hollywood executive who crosses paths with Lexi Howard, played by Maude Apatow.
During her interview with Palmer, the “Basic Instinct” star explained that the show’s themes resonate deeply with her because of her family’s own experiences with drugs and addiction.
Reflecting on her role, Stone praised the series as the “greatest show on television” and revealed that her brother became involved in the drug trade and eventually served time in prison. “I’ve gone through it in my family,” she said. “My brother went to the biggest prison in New York. He got in the drug business. It kept going. I was like, ‘You have to get out. You have to let me pay off your vig.’ He was like, ‘It doesn’t work like that. You can’t pay it off.’”
Keke Palmer Pushes Back On ‘Euphoria’ Critics
While discussing the series, Palmer appeared to challenge critics who have often accused “Euphoria” of relying too heavily on explicit content.
The HBO drama has remained a lightning rod for debate throughout its run, with viewers frequently questioning some of its more provocative storylines.
One of the most talked-about arcs this season involved Sydney Sweeney’s character, Cassie, whose controversial choices sparked significant online discussion and renewed scrutiny of creator Sam Levinson’s creative decisions.
Addressing the criticism, Palmer suggested that many viewers focus on the show’s surface-level elements while overlooking its deeper themes.
“I think sometimes people stop at the surface of ‘No, it’s too much sex,’” Palmer said.
Sharon Stone Says Disagreement On Mastectomy Led To Marriage Rift
Stone also reflected on one of the most difficult periods of her personal life, revealing that her decision to undergo a bilateral mastectomy created serious strain in her marriage.
In her memoir, “The Beauty of Living Twice,” the actress explained how doctors discovered multiple tumors in her breasts and warned her about the risks she faced.
Speaking on David Begnaud’s “The Person Who Believed In Me” podcast, Stone recalled how her then-husband strongly disagreed with her decision.
“One of [the tumors] was bigger than the size of my entire left breast,” she said. She went on to explain that doctors urged her to undergo a bilateral mastectomy because of the severity of the situation. Still, her husband dismissed the recommendation before leaving the room during the discussion.
Sharon Stone Shares Her ‘Dad Questions’ Rule
Elsewhere in the conversation, Stone opened up about the realities of raising her three adopted sons as a single parent.
The actress admitted that parenting alone can be challenging, even with a support system, and said the experience fundamentally changed her.
As her sons grew older, Stone explained that they began asking questions they would traditionally have taken to a father figure. To address that, she created a unique approach inside her home.
“I took them to a certain room of my house and closed the door, and said, ‘This is where we do dad questions. And now you talk to me like I’m your dad,” Stone told Palmer. She added: “We’re going to talk about anything you might need to know about this, this, or this.”
