Unveiling the Euphoria Controversy: Zendaya’s Tensions with Sam Levinson Explained

If you know Euphoria, you would know its creator, Sam Levinson. Levinson is known for having produced first-rate movies and television. Before the success of Euphoria, Levinson was known to have produced the horror film franchise “X”. Pearl, the prequel to the franchise, gained recognition for its emotional approach to gruesome horror. 

After the success of the X series, he collaborated with Zendaya to produce and direct HBO’s teen drama Euphoria. Their successful collaboration gave them the masterpiece that we now know as Euphoria. But then, what has caused a rift to appear between the producer duo?

Let this picture fool you while we dive into their history.

A little history lesson about them for those of you who don’t know

Zendaya has been collaborating with Levinson since Euphoria season 1, and had since been “thick as thieves” with him. She produced two other projects alongside him, one of which being Zendaya’s romance drama, “Malcolm & Marie.” Indicating that they’ve had a pretty pleasant and beneficial relationship. 

But then, Zendaya’s fans started urging her to keep her distance from the director, as a result of his past coming into light.

Controversy Behind the Aesthetic: Allegations Against Sam Levinson

You know how Euphoria is more than 90% about its gray and hazy aesthetic and bleary visuals? That wasn’t Sam Levinson.

In a September 2023 interview with the Hungarian outlet Punkt, Canadian photographer and artist Petra Collins alleged that Levinson had called her to say he had written a show (Euphoria) inspired by her photos and asked her to come and direct to which she had agreed.

Collins said in the interview that she had spent five months in Los Angeles working on the show’s aesthetic and casting, only to be dismissed because she was too young to direct, or that’s what they told her. To give it to you straight, as soon as she set the stage for them, she was out.

Fans’ Growing Discontent: Accusations Against Levinson

A fan having strong opinions against Sam Levinson, wrote on Instagram: “The actual answer: Sam Levinson is a bad showrunner and a bad director and has alienated literally everyone associated with the project, most of whom are doing bigger and better things now.” 

Another one had similar thoughts, “Didn’t he (levinson) steal the aesthetic from an indie artist who they hired and then fired and took her ideas?” Rightly said, user cali_ariel_love.

Zendaya’s Growing Frustration: Wariness Spreads to Her

Recently, it looks like the wariness to Levinson has spread to Zendaya too. While Levinson was busy producing HBO’s idol drama, “The Idol” in 2023, Zendaya was getting tired of waiting for him to start making Euphoria season 3. Sources confirmed that Zendaya had even advised him not to take up the “controversial” series in the first place.

According to sources, Zendaya reached out to the CEO of HBO because she was annoyed that Levinson was being provided so much leeway to work on The Idol when he should’ve been working on season 3 of Euphoria which needed some work.

And being the executive producer of the hit teen drama, she has a right to her wariness though. Ever since season 2 of Euphoria concluded in February 2022, fans have been waiting on the edge of their seats for updates about the 3rd season, updates that only came after The Idol wrapped up, let us tell you.

Their sudden, odd feud was facilitated by the fact that they were at cross purposes over the season 3 storylines.

Levinson proposed a new storyline for Zendaya’s character, Rue, and wanted her to be a private detective, which was vetoed by HBO. After which, Zendaya suggested that Rue be a pregnancy surrogate and turn over a new leaf by being completely sober.
Season 3 will begin filming in January 2025 with Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Hunter Schafer, all returning. Barbar Ferreira will, unfortunately, not be returning for season 3. The storyline will continue after a time jump.