A once-close friendship between two of Hollywood’s biggest young stars appears to have cooled. Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney, who rose to fame together on HBO’s hit show Euphoria, are now reportedly at odds due to their differing political views and public controversies.
Sources claim the tension has become so significant that Zendaya is unwilling to participate in joint press events for the upcoming third season of their show. The situation highlights how personal beliefs are increasingly influencing professional relationships in the entertainment industry.
The Source of the Reported Rift
The apparent strain in their relationship stems from two main issues: their contrasting political affiliations and a controversial advertising campaign.
According to insiders, the divide began over their sharply different political stances. Zendaya has been publicly critical of former President Donald Trump, while Sweeney is reportedly a registered Republican, though she has not confirmed this publicly.
The situation intensified in July 2025 with Sweeney’s American Eagle jeans campaign. The ad featured the tagline “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans,” a play on words that also referenced her “genes.” This sparked immediate backlash on social media, with critics accusing the campaign of promoting racial stereotypes and echoing harmful white supremacist language.
Sweeney addressed the controversy in a recent GQ interview, expressing surprise at the strong public reaction but showing no regret.
โI did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans,โ Sweeney told GQ. โI knew at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was great jeans, it didnโt affect me one way or the other.โ
The campaign drew praise from Donald Trump, who called it the “HOTTEST ad” and expressed his approval upon learning Sweeney might be a Republican. This public endorsement from Trump is seen as a key factor worsening the reported rift with Zendaya, who has been vocal in her opposition to the former president.
Impact on Euphoria Promotions
The reported tension is now affecting plans for promoting Euphoria’s third season. Insiders say Zendaya has declined to participate in joint press calls and red carpet appearances with Sweeney.
One source explained Zendaya’s position, stating she is in a difficult situation where even being seen next to Sweeney could be interpreted as endorsing her co-star’s views.
The two actresses were previously on good terms. After Zendaya won her Primetime Emmy Award in 2020 for her role as Rue, Sweeney publicly celebrated the achievement, calling her “a boss” and expressing pride in her co-star’s success.
Hollywood’s Political Divide
The reported situation between Zendaya and Sweeney reflects a broader cultural moment in Hollywood, where political beliefs increasingly influence professional relationships and public image.
Zendaya has built a public persona around advocacy for progressive causes and social justice. In contrast, Sweeney has faced online criticism since 2022 when photos from her mother’s birthday party showed attendees wearing “Blue Lives Matter” shirts and “Make Sixty Great Again” hats. She dismissed that incident as an “innocent celebration” that was misinterpreted.
So far, neither actress has directly commented on the feud rumors. Representatives for both stars and HBO have not provided official statements regarding the alleged tension or its impact on the upcoming season.
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