HBO’s “Euphoria” is back, but instead of just storyline buzz, the spotlight is once again landing on rumored off-screen drama between its biggest stars. And now, an actress from the hit show is setting the record straight amid ongoing speculation about tension between Sydney Sweeney and Zendaya.
Jessica Blair Herman, who appears in the series as a neighbor to Sweeney and Jacob Elordi’s characters, pushed back on the rumors during a recent interview. “They really did,” she said of the cast getting along. “And I’m not just saying that.”
Herman doubled down, insisting there was “no drama” behind the scenes, adding, “Really, they’ve created this beautiful working relationship, and everyone wants to do the work, to come in and do the job.”
According to Herman, one major factor fueling the rumors is simply how the show is structured. “To be fair, when I was there, they’re not sharing scenes,” she explained. “Their storylines are very separate, you’re shooting on different days and stuff.” That separation has likely contributed to fan speculation, especially as viewers continue to analyze every public interaction between the two actresses.
‘Euphoria’ Actress Insists Zendaya And Sydney Sweeney Have ‘No Drama’
Rumors reignited earlier this month at the Season 3 premiere, where social media users claimed Sweeney and Zendaya appeared to avoid each other on the red carpet. Clips quickly circulated online, with fans dissecting body language and interactions, including moments where Zendaya was seen chatting with Hunter Schafer while seemingly not engaging with Sweeney.
The chatter only intensified after Sweeney was noticeably missing from a Season 3 cast photo, though a source later claimed she was filming at the time. Still, the moment added fuel to years-long whispers of tension, which have also been linked to rumors involving Zendaya’s boyfriend, Tom Holland.
Sydney Sweeney Slams ‘MAGA Barbie’ Label
Beyond feud speculation, Sweeney has also faced online scrutiny over her perceived political stance, with some critics labeling her “MAGA Barbie.”
Earlier this year, she addressed the controversy, pushing back against how she’s been portrayed. “I’ve never been here to talk about politics. I’ve always been here to make art, so this is just not a conversation I want to be at the forefront of…” she said. “I think because of that, people want to take it even further and use me as their own pawn.”
Sweeney also admitted the situation has been frustrating to navigate. “I haven’t figured it out. I’m not a hateful person. If I say: ‘That’s not true,’ they’ll come at me like: ‘You’re just saying that to look better.’ There’s no winning. There’s never any winning,” she said. “I just have to continue being who I am, because I know who I am. I can’t make everyone love me. I know what I stand for.”
Zendaya has also been vocal about her views in the past, including a 2020 Instagram post on voting rights where she wrote, “Vote this MF out.”
‘Euphoria’ Season 3 Sparks Backlash Over Sydney Sweeney’s Controversial Cassie Scene
The off-screen chatter isn’t the only thing stirring debate. “Euphoria” has already faced backlash, which started just one episode into Season 3. Fans quickly sounded off online over a controversial scene involving Sydney Sweeney’s character, Cassie, with many criticizing the moment as over-the-top and uncomfortable.
In the episode, Cassie is seen dressed as a dog while creating content for her followers, later telling Jacob Elordi’s Nate that she wants to start an OnlyFans account to fund their wedding, a plot point that immediately sparked debate.
‘Euphoria’ Creator Sam Levinson Defends Controversial Scene
Show creator Sam Levinson addressed the controversy, explaining the scene was intentionally designed to feel jarring. “[Cassie] has got her dog house and her little dog ears and the nose, and that has its own humor, but what makes the scene is the fact that her housekeeper is the one filming it,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “What we wanted to always find is the other layer of absurdity that we’re able to tie into it so that we’re not too inside of her fantasy or illusion. The gag is to jump out, to break the wall.”
Levinson added that the moment was meant to underscore just how disconnected Cassie has become from reality, with the creative team, including cinematographer Marcell Rév, carefully crafting the setting to amplify that unsettling tone.
