- Zendaya is reportedly refusing to participate in joint press events with Sydney Sweeney for the upcoming third season of "Euphoria."
- The feud stems from Sweeney’s controversial American Eagle ad, which used a slogan critics claim promotes white supremacy.
- Sweeney’s recent dismissal of the controversy in a GQ interview has intensified the backlash from fans and fellow celebrities.
- The fallout is being cited as a potential factor in the disappointing box-office performance of Sweeney’s latest film, "Christy."
Euphoria’s Stars Clash Ahead of New Season
The on-screen drama of "Euphoria" is spilling into the real world as a major rift has reportedly formed between its two biggest stars, Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney. Sources claim that Zendaya, a powerhouse in Hollywood and an Oakland native, is refusing to do joint press with Sweeney for the highly anticipated Season 3, set for a Spring 2026 release. The conflict threatens to overshadow the show’s return, stemming from Sweeney’s ongoing controversy surrounding an ad campaign and her alleged political leanings.
The Ad at the Center of the Storm
The controversy ignited over an American Eagle ad featuring Sweeney with the slogan, “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans.” Critics immediately pointed out the double entendre, suggesting it played on the phrase “great genes” to promote ideals of eugenics and white racial superiority, given Sweeney is white, blonde, and blue-eyed. While Sweeney faced backlash from progressives, she found support among right-wing figures, including former President Donald Trump, especially after reports surfaced that she is a registered Republican.
Sweeney’s Response Fuels the Fire
Instead of quelling the outrage, Sweeney intensified it during a recent interview with GQ. When given multiple opportunities to address the ad’s racist interpretations, she deflected. “I think that when I have an issue that I want to speak about, people will hear,” she stated, adding that she was too busy working on "Euphoria" to focus on the controversy. Her response was widely perceived as a refusal to denounce white supremacy, causing the backlash to explode online.
A Political and Personal Divide
The co-stars’ once-close friendship, forged on the set of "Euphoria," now appears fractured by a deep ideological divide. Zendaya has been openly critical of Donald Trump, once posting on Instagram to “Vote this MF out.” According to a source who spoke with The Daily Mail, this makes any association with Sweeney professionally toxic.
“It’s a difficult position for Zendaya to be in because if she even stands next to Sydney on the red carpet, it can be read as her excusing Sydney’s views on Trump and her refusal to apologize for the racist ad,” the source explained.
Hollywood Piles On
Zendaya isn’t alone in her criticism. The Daily Mail described the situation as a Sweeney “pile-on,” with other stars making their disapproval known. British actor Dan Stevens reposted a comment stating, “‘not having a stance’ on White supremacy is 100% having a stance on White supremacy.” Aimee Lou Wood, from HBO’s “The White Lotus,” responded to a post about the interview with a vomiting emoji, making her disgust clear.
Image Referance: https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/11/zendaya-has-reportedly-joined-other-stars-in-sidney-sweeney-criticism/