When two of television’s brightest young stars, Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney, share the spotlight on a high-profile series, expectations are high. That series is Euphoria, the HBO teen drama that made Zendaya a household name and turned Sweeney into a rising star. But now, what appeared to be a professional alliance may be unraveling. Behind the scenes lie delays, controversies, and what insiders say is a cooling relationship between the two actresses — culminating in claims that Zendaya is refusing to work with Sweeney. What’s really going on?

The Delay of Euphoria Season 3

The long-awaited third season of Euphoria has been beset by major production delays. Originally anticipated much earlier, filming has repeatedly been pushed back. According to reports:

For months the cast of Euphoria were given leave to pursue other projects while the show’s creator, Sam Levinson, rewrote and reworked the scripts.

Zendaya herself has publicly said she is not to blame for the delays, stating: “I have been off for a couple years … so not delayed because of my … I’ve been open, just waiting.”

Meanwhile, Sydney Sweeney has indicated the pause cost her many opportunities: “There were definitely a few projects I had to pass on because I was supposed to be going back to Euphoria.”

These elements — scheduling, script issues, cast availability — set a backdrop of uncertainty. But the plot thickens when you add interpersonal friction.

The Rift: Zendaya vs Sweeney

Reports of tension between Zendaya and Sweeney have escalated in recent weeks. According to multiple sources:

The two are allegedly in a “bitter feud,” with insiders claiming they avoid standing near each other at public events.

The root cause: political and ideological differences. One version of the story: Sweeney’s involvement in a controversial advertising campaign for American Eagle, which drew criticism for its tagline “I have good jeans and good genes”, reportedly upset Zendaya and others.

Additionally, Sweeney’s political registration (she is reportedly a registered Republican) is cited as a further fault line given Zendaya’s more publicly liberal / progressive stances.

One insider claimed Zendaya has been intentionally “refusing” to appear alongside Sweeney in press events for Euphoria, to avoid being publicly associated with Sweeney’s controversial moves.

In short: the story is that professional collaboration has turned adversarial, and Zendaya is — if not formally refusing — at least avoiding joint work or public alignment with Sweeney.

Tom Holland, Spider-Man and the Hollywood Tangent

Into this already fraught mix enters another major figure: Tom Holland, Zendaya’s frequent co-star and off-screen partner. While the headline hints at “Tom Holland drama,” the evidence is more indirect:

Holland and Zendaya have collaborated on the Spider-Man franchise and are known to be close, both professionally and personally.

Some tabloid speculation suggests Sweeney may have taken interest in Holland at some point, stirring jealousy or awkwardness. One recent report claimed:

Complicating matters are rumors … suggesting that Sweeney may have taken an interest in actor Tom Holland. Although these claims remain unverified, they have contributed to the growing tension…”

Meanwhile, the Marvel/Spider-Man production front has its own delays: for example, a filming halt due to Holland’s concussion.

Though none of this is officially confirmed as the cause of the Zendaya/Sweeney rift, it provides a Hollywood-style backdrop: jealousy, overlapping professional circles, high-stakes projects. Whether Holland is a central node in the conflict or simply peripheral remains unclear.

What Does “Refuses to Work” Actually Mean?

When the headline claims Zendaya refuses to work with Sweeney, the reality appears more nuanced:

There is no publicly verified contract or project announcement that Zendaya formally declined due to Sweeney.

The phrase likely refers to avoidance: skipping joint press events, being unwilling to be paired in promotions, keeping distance on set and off.

Insider sources claim Zendaya has been reluctant to be photographed or appear near Sweeney at Euphoria Season 3 promotional events.

That said, both actresses are still officially listed as part of theEuphoria cast, so the show is going forward (albeit delayed).
Thus, “refusing” here might more accurately mean “opting out of collaboration or joint appearances” rather than terminating working together entirely.

The Impact on Euphoria Season 3

This dynamic has several repercussions for the show and its production:

Brand risk: Having a lead actor and a co-star publicly at odds can hurt press tours, red-carpet events, and the unified image of the ensemble.

Logistical delays: With the cast pursuing multiple big-budget film projects, plus internal tensions, the filming schedule has slipped.

Creative strain: One report noted that cast members were mentally and physically “rusty” returning after years off. Zendaya admitted she worried: “Can I even do this anymore?”

Fan friction: Viewers invested in the friendship or chemistry between the characters (Rue and Cassie, played by Zendaya and Sweeney) may feel unsettled seeing off-screen tension.

Promotional complications: If Zendaya declines to do events with Sweeney, marketing and joint appearances may need to be restructured, adding cost and complexity.

According to reports, filming wrapped around October 2025 for Sweeney. —but the delays mean a likely 2026 release, pushing the wait even longer for fans.

A Case Study in Hollywood Frenemies

What this situation illustrates is how the glamour of entertainment often masks underlying complications. A few themes emerge:

Schedule overload – Zendaya moved into blockbuster films (e.g., Dune: Part II,Challengers), and Sweeney too has been working steadily. Big-star commitments often delay ensemble TV projects.

Moral branding – Zendaya has long taken public stands on racial justice and equity. When a co-star becomes embroiled in controversy (e.g., the “jeans/genes” advert), the lead may face pressure to take a stance.

Public relations strategy – The idea of “refusing” or avoiding a colleague can be as much about image management as personal animus. Whether Zendaya is sticking to principle, protecting her brand, or simply minimizing risk is open to interpretation.

Fans and optics – In the social-media age, optics matter. A unity narrative helps a show; visible fractures can damage it. The fact that the rapport between Zendaya and Sweeney is now questioned is a challenge for the show’s public narrative.

Intersection of personal and professional – With overlapping roles across major franchises (Marvel, HBO), personal relationships (Zendaya & Holland) and work-relationships (Sweeney) blur. Media speculation about Holland’s role adds fuel—even if unverified.

What Comes Next?

Looking ahead, several key questions remain:

Will Zendaya and Sweeney ever appear together publicly again for Euphoria Season 3 or future promotions?

How will the show’s makers manage the press tour, given rumored avoidance?

Will the alleged feud spill into storylines or screen time? If their characters intersect less this season, fans may interpret that as further confirmation of off-screen tension.

Will the controversies around Sweeney’s ad campaign and political stance evolve further, potentially causing more internal fallout?

How will Zendaya’s increasingly cinematic commitments (films, producing) affect her TV work moving forward?

For now, the show is officially back in production, but the environment around it is far from smooth. The “messy euphoria” of the title is apt: a celebrated show facing real-world chaos.

Conclusion

In the world of Hollywood, things are rarely simple. What began as a shared success in Euphoria for Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney may now be shifting into something more ambiguous—a collision of schedules, values, controversies, and personalities. Zendaya’s reported refusal (or avoidance) of joint work with Sweeney signals more than a personality clash: it highlights the broader tensions of celebrity, branding, and morality in modern entertainment. Meanwhile,Euphoria Season 3 trudges toward release, delayed and complicated—but still slated to arrive, proving that even amidst discord, business (and art) moves on.