Zendaya dishes on her ‘tough days’ filming ‘Euphoria’
Zendaya, the star of the hit teen drama Euphoria, has recently opened up about the emotional and physical toll her role as Rue Bennett has taken on her. In a candid conversation with Variety during the Actors on Actors Interview, the actress revealed the challenging aspects of portraying her character’s difficult journey with addiction and the impact it has on her own well-being. As Euphoria fans eagerly anticipate the third season, which will begin filming in January 2025, Zendaya reflected on the exhausting process of bringing her complex character to life.
Zendaya Discusses Her “Tough Days” on Euphoria
Zendaya, known for her roles in The Greatest Showman and Spider-Man, explained how her role as Rue in Euphoria can sometimes be overwhelming, particularly during scenes that required intense emotional scenes. “I still have my Rue scars,” Zendaya admitted, acknowledging the lasting effect the role has had on her. “I do know that I like to have fun on my job. I don’t want to be miserable just because the character’s miserable.” The character of Rue, a teenager struggling with drug addiction, requires Zendaya to tap into deep, often painful emotions, making certain filming days particularly tough.
Zendaya went on to describe the extremes of shooting these emotional scenes, saying, “On Euphoria, we’d have really, really tough days. I’m like, ‘OK, gotta go cry and knock down a door real quick.’” Despite the intensity of these moments, Zendaya emphasized that she always tries to compartmentalize her work from her personal life. “And then I’ll come back like, ‘Hey, Cheesecake Factory? What are we getting for lunch?’ I try my best to leave them at work and go home and live my life and be a person.” This ability to separate work from life shows Zendaya’s commitment to maintaining her mental health while balancing the heavy emotional load of her role.
Season 3 of Euphoria Begins Production in 2025
Zendaya revealed that the much-anticipated third season of Euphoria is officially set to begin filming in January 2025. Fans of the show have eagerly awaited the next chapter in the lives of Rue and her friends, following the overwhelming success of the first two seasons. Euphoria season 2, in particular, was a massive hit, becoming the second most-watched show on HBO, only behind Game of Thrones. This achievement highlights the widespread popularity of the show, which has captivated audiences with its raw depiction of addiction, love, and self-destruction.
When speaking about the production of Euphoria, Zendaya shared, “We’re supposed to do another season,” acknowledging that the next season is on its way, although the process has been long and difficult. Reflecting on the journey thus far, Zendaya humorously added, “I’ve only done two [seasons], but it feels like five. One season of Euphoria is like, ‘Phew!’” The emotional weight of the series, coupled with the intense filming schedule, makes each season feel like an emotional marathon for the cast and crew.
