Sydney Sweeney finally points out the culprit behind her highly speculated dynamic with Zendaya.
The “Euphoria” star has clarified on what truly transpired between her and Zendaya on the set of their HBO series and how it has played out in real life, truly amplified by fans.
Sydney Sweeney and her co-star were introduced to the world on the HBO hit series, written by Sam Levinson. The series first premiered in 2019 and launched Sweeney’s career as one of the most sought-after stars in Hollywood.
The release of the third season of “Euphoria” came with several speculations about an ongoing feud between Sweeney and Zendaya. According to theories, the stars were not getting along due to Sweeney’s alleged political leanings and an alleged secret affection for Zendaya’s fiancé, Tom Holland.
Viewers had noticed that Sweeney and Zendaya shared little to no screen time from pictures and clips behind the scenes on set. However, Sweeney has pushed back on that narrative, suggesting that social media and all its users have a way of exaggerating normal production interaction into realities.
Sweeney noted that the cast of “Euphoria” practically grew up together on stage, and it has been an out-of-body experience to see several untrue theories being propagated about their relationship.
“It’s honestly crazy to watch how much social media and the press spin things,” she said. “I was in first position to HBO. So the moment they say, ‘Hey, this is the first day of filming,’ I’m legally not allowed to do anything else. So my schedule doesn’t affect the show. And so that was funny to watch everybody spin narratives on it. All of us were in first position, so it wasn’t like any of our schedules were holding it up.”
She made the comment in a recent interview with Vanity Fair, but fans noticed that Sweeney did not directly address rumors about Zendaya specifically. That being said, fans have seen her post behind-the-scenes photos of the series, in which the actress was missing. Instead, cast members such as Jacob Elordi, Alexa Demie, and the late Eric Dane graced the gallery.
Rumors have also been around the block for years, with unverified reports claiming that Sweeney had previously expressed interest in Holland after rummaging through his internet posts.
The Marvel Star’s Absence From ‘Euphoria’ Photoshoot Gets A New Explanation
Other reports noted that Zendaya did not participate with Sweeney in promotional photoshoots that were connected to Season 3, and the two actresses seemed to stay apart in public photoshoots.
The speculation continued to ramp up in March when Sweeney was conspicuously missing from a Euphoria photoshoot of the cast.
As shared by The Blast, later reports clarified that Sweeney’s absence was due to filming, not personal conflict. Once again, questions arose after the Season 3 premiere when viewers shared videos online and thought the actresses looked distant from each other.
However, not all people involved in the HBO series endorse the story. Rumors of behind-the-scenes tension were brushed aside by cast member Jessica Blair Herman, who said the atmosphere was very different.
During her television appearance, Herman explained that it was an ideal match for the actresses because they had established a professional relationship with each other.
When asked about the lack of behind-the-scenes footage of the two together, Herman explained that their characters rarely shared scenes. She added that filming was frequently on different schedules, which meant there were fewer opportunities for interaction than fan expectations may have.
Sydney Sweeney Defended Her Character’s Choices, Insists Her Person Is A Separate Entity
The Blast stated that the media personality drew a clear line between herself and her “Euphoria” viral character, Cassie Howard.
After witnessing serious backlash over Cassie’s storyline on the show’s third season, especially about the OnlyFans gig, Sweeney insisted that portraying a character does not mean endorsing every decision they make.
The actress continued that the show’s creator, Levinson, walked her through Cassie’s arc before filming and made space for conversations about the direction of the storyline.
Sweeney explained that while she may not personally relate to Cassie’s choices or make the same decisions in real life, her responsibility as an actor is to commit to the character’s journey fully.
For her, the goal was not to judge Cassie but to portray her honestly, and this also means completely embracing the character’s emotional extremes and vulnerability while bringing Levinson’s creative vision to screen.
The Actress Was Reportedly Very Interested In Completely Embodying Cassie Howard
In the spirit of true professionalism, Sweeney gave further insights into the journey and story of Cassie, establishing that she never saw her choices as random.
The actress noted that Cassie’s actions, however perceived, were rooted in patterns which were fueled by emotional inadequacies and a constant search for validation.
She added that Cassie only felt seen and worthy when people loved her, and her decision to go into the adult industry was an extension of that mindset.
For Sweeney, it was not just about paying attention to Cassie but being seen as important, understood, and a piece of a larger puzzle than her day-to-day life.
Meanwhile, Levinson revealed his initial thoughts to make the storyline more ambiguous, and he looked at decreasing the nudity on Cassie’s arc. However, Sweeney rejected the notion as it would be cheating on the world of the character to avoid engaging it.
Levinson stated the discussion influenced his method of shooting and the value of remaining honest with the character’s journey. He went on to commend her dedication on set, saying she was bold in her choices and always ready to be in the part.
Sydney Sweeney Cements Her Hollywood Takeover With New Production Company
The actress added another feather to her cap and dipped her feet into the challenging waters of production with the launch of her production company, Honey Trap.
As noted by The Blast, Sweeney stated that the company’s creative vision is the ability to tell bold, emotionally charged stories in film and television, using contrasts and complexity.
She co-founded it with her longtime collaborator Kaylee McGregor, and the company has begun moving forward with some projects, including an upcoming “Barbella” remake in conjunction with Sony.
Honey Trap also landed its first major feature project with an adaptation of filmmaker and author Lindsey Anderson Beer’s debut novel, “Hollow.”
Sweeney will reportedly star in and produce the movie, while Beer will direct and adapt the script. Backed by LuckyChap Entertainment and Beer’s Lab Brew, the project marks a major step for Honey Trap, along with its first-look partnership with Sony Pictures.
