Zendaya‘s mom, Claire Stoermer, hinted at her reaction to Euphoria‘s divisive series finale.
“Lots of messages in my DM’s from people about last night’s episode,” Stoermer, 62, wrote via Instagram on Monday, June 1. “I’m gonna keep my thoughts to myself.”
Stoermer, who shares Zendaya with ex Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, noted she had a multitude of feelings about the episode “Definitely made me sad….and other emotions as well,” she added. “But just gonna leave it right there……”
Sunday’s episode showed Zendaya’s character Rue dying from an accidental overdose after being provided painkillers that were laced with fentanyl. After Rue’s death, her sponsor and friend Ali (Colman Domingo) avenged her death in a shoot-out with Alamo (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje).
Akinnuoye-Agbaje, 58, addressed Alamo’s involvement in the controversial death during an exclusive interview with Us Weekly on Sunday.
“Look, it’s a voracious fan base,” he said of Euphoria viewers. “It’s really their show. It preceded me. I’ve done my part. Whatever they say and do is their part so that’s where I leave it.”
The actor praised Zendaya, 29, for her work on the show.
“The beautiful thing about Euphoria is — first of all — this incredible performance that Zendaya has done. She narrates the show and we’ve seen it largely through her perspective,” he continued. “It opens it up to the perspective of so many of the other characters. Whether they’re within Rue’s group and vicinity, you have Laurie’s gang and you have Alamo’s gang and you have Rue’s friends. There’s room to explore those backstories, those relationships and those adventures that they would have.”
He continued: “This is TV. There’s always a world in which it could — if they wanted to — [they could explore the world more]. Whether they want to or not … I don’t know.”
Akinnuoye-Agbaje also spoke about creator Sam Levinson‘s vision for the ending, adding, “This season has been heavily influenced with religious themes about God and belief. All of that came to bear in the final episode. It sums up the consequences of everyone’s choices, so you will see a reckoning. It’s poetic and it’s poignant. It’s responsible, as well, in his artistry [and] in the message that it’s sending out.”
Zendaya, meanwhile, hasn’t directly addressed the strong reactions to Rue being killed off in the finale. Footage was shown at the end of the episode of Zendaya’s last day on set as she delivered a speech to the cast and crew.
“I want to say thank you. I’m really grateful for every single one of you,” she said while getting emotional. “Many of you have been here from the beginning and have watched me grow up. It’s been such a pleasure and an honor. Thank you so much.”
Euphoria is streaming on HBO Max.
