Tensions between two of Euphoria’s biggest stars appeared to surface publicly in Los Angeles this week, as Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney notably avoided posing together at the premiere of the show’s highly anticipated third season.
Red carpet silence revives feud speculation
The premiere of the third season of Euphoria took place in Los Angeles, bringing the show’s leading cast to the red carpet. While many actors posed together for photographs, the final images suggest that Zendaya chose not to appear in any joint shots with her co-star Sydney Sweeney — a move that has re-ignited speculation about a long-standing rift between the two.
Reports in media have previously claimed that the 28-year-old Zendaya has deliberately avoided interacting with Sweeney due to differences in political views — Sweeney has openly aligned herself with Republican politics — as well as her involvement in controversial advertising campaigns. Until now, such claims were largely dismissed as conjecture, but the premiere has given fresh weight to the rumours.
Zendaya, who is also rumoured to have recently married, wore a brown satin backless gown by Ashi Studio, paired with diamond earrings. Sweeney, 29, appeared in a white archival dress from Pierre Cardin’s 2007 collection, featuring a bow belt and draped, cape-like detailing.
Speculation about tension between the two actresses is not new. Industry insiders have suggested that Zendaya began distancing herself from Sweeney during the filming of the second season. Sweeney, for her part, has repeatedly stated that she has no intention of altering her views to please others.
Politics, controversy and a polarising public image
The mixed reception to Sweeney within the industry is tied to several factors. One of the most notable controversies erupted in summer 2025 over a campaign for American Eagle. The advert played on the words “jeans” and “genes,” resulting in the slogan “Sydney Sweeney has great genes.” Social media users criticised the campaign, arguing that it evoked themes associated with eugenics and white supremacy, given the actress’s blonde hair and blue-eyed appearance.
Further controversy has stemmed from Sweeney’s political stance. It emerged last year that she had been registered as a Republican voter in Florida since June 2024. The revelation drew attention from US President Donald Trump, who publicly praised both the actress and the criticised campaign, describing her as “hot.”
Sweeney’s public image has also contributed to divided opinions. While she has spoken in interviews about the pressures of being sexualised and the intense focus on her appearance, critics point to what they see as a contradiction: the actress continues to choose increasingly revealing outfits for public appearances and participates in provocative photoshoots, including campaigns for her own lingerie brand.
Together, these factors have cemented Sweeney’s status as one of Hollywood’s more polarising young stars — and ensured that any perceived distance between her and Zendaya remains firmly in the spotlight.
