The Zendaya x Sydney Sweeney drama rumours have ignited again as a Euphoria promo clip dropped with one of the main actors noticeably missing.
The HBO show’s social media account shared a grainy reel of backstage antics, snapshots from season three and, most importantly, a photo call of the cast — which didn’t include Sweeney.
In the video, lead stars Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Maude Apatow and Alexa Demie posed behind a white backdrop in full glam. The actors played up for the cameras, cosied up together, and generally looked to be the best of friends.
However, Sweeney’s absence sent fans into a frenzy, as it suggested that there could still be major beef between her and Zendaya, who is thought to have recently tied the knot in secret to long-time beau, Tom Holland.
Let’s unpack. In late 2025, rumours circulated that the two were embroiled in a ‘bitter feud’ due to their reported opposing political views. It was then suggested that Zendaya was refusing to appear alongside Sweeney for Euphoria promotional press, although neither has commented on the situation.
Earlier that year, Sweeney’s controversial American Eagle advertisement landed, which garnered positive attention from President Trump — someone Zendaya has vocally opposed.
Referencing her political stance — records showed Sweeney to be a registered Republican — Trump told a reporter at the time: ‘If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic.’
The POTUS also took to his Truth social to write: ‘Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the HOTTEST ad out there. Go get ’em Sydney!’
Following the campaign’s backlash and being labelled a ‘MAGA Barbie,’ Sweeney told Cosmopolitan that she feels like she’s ‘never needed to correct people who don’t know who [she is].’
Responding to a question about her supposed political beliefs, despite always remaining silent about them, she said: ‘It’s definitely not a comfortable thing to have people saying what you believe or think, especially when that doesn’t align with you.
‘It’s been a weird thing having to navigate and digest, because it’s not me. None of it is me.
‘And I’m having to watch it happen. I’m online and I see things, but I’m slowly pulling myself away. It’s definitely gone to a level where it’s just not healthy for me to digest it all.’
Sweeney also defended herself in an interview with People in December last year, telling the outlet that she’s ‘never been here to talk about politics.’
Rather, she said she’s ‘always been here to make art,’ adding ‘this is just not a conversation’ she wants to be at the forefront of.
Sweeney continued: ‘I’m not a political person. I’m in the arts. I’m not here to speak on politics. That’s not an area I’ve ever even imagined getting into. It’s not why I became who I am.
‘I became an actor because I like to tell stories, but I don’t believe in hate in any form. I believe we should all love each other and have respect and understanding for one another.’
After rumours that the co-stars were not appearing together, this supposed tension dominated the Euphoria press tour, with some reports claiming that the duo had gone from friends to barely speaking.
Now, after sharing the new clip, which was captioned: ‘Taking the smallest moments and dreaming them up into something bigger. #Euphoria,’ plenty of fans took to the comments section to unravel the potential drama.
‘Notice how the girls are NOT with Sydney?’ one person penned, while another asked: ‘Why exclude Sydney from the shoot?’
Others egged on the drama, typing: ‘The rumours are true,’ and ‘the girls really said we are NOT doing a group shot with her.’
However, many called out the online hate, condemning the fact that ‘women out here again pitting two amazing women against each other for no reason.’
‘What’s with the hate towards Sydney? I’d understand if it was all directed to Cassie but why are most people here hating on Sydney?’ another questioned.
Zendaya nor Sweeney have directly commented on any of the feud speculation.
What is Euphoria season 3 about?
The latest season of Euphoria is set five years after Rue, Jules, Maddy, Cassie, Lexi, Nate, and the rest of the East Highland High gang left school.
Teaser clips so far have shown what everyone is up to in the present day, from Rue hiding out in Mexico from Laurie, her drug dealer, to Cassie’s online career while being engaged to Nate.
Lexi is an assistant to a showrunner played by Sharon Stone (yes, the legendary actor will be making an appearance), while Maddy is working at a talent agency in Hollywood.
Elsewhere, season three is set to introduce more famous faces, from Grammy and Brit-winning Spanish musician Rosalía (who was formerly in a relationship with Hunter Schafer), Natasha Lyonne, Danielle Deadwyler, Eli Roth, Marshawn Lynch, and Trisha Paytas.
Euphoria season three is officially scheduled to premiere on HBO and Max on April 12, 2026.
