Euphoria is making headlines again, and it's not because the hit show has started filming its third season or prompted another TikTok trend. Instead former star Barbie Ferreira has finally spoken about the alleged drama between her and show creator Sam Levinson.
Let me break this down right quick. During Euphoria's explosive second season, fans noticed Ferreira (who plays Kat Hernandez) received reduced screen time compared to the first season. Many believe this was due to rumored beef between the actress and Levinson.
Apparently, Ferreira wasn't here for Levinson's vision for season two and found him a difficult co-worker. Things got so intense that it got physical, per reports.
Fast forward to August, Ferreira announces her exit from the HBO series, which further fueled whispers of on-set differences.
Now on April 3, Ferreira appeared on the "Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard" podcast to finally lay rumors to rest. According to the actress, Ferreira's departure from Euphoria came as a "mutual decision" between her and Levinson.
She stated there was a "struggle" to continue Kat's storyline on Ferreira and Levinson's end. She also mentioned that she didn't want to get stuck playing what she called "the fat best friend."
"I don't think there was a place for her to go. I think there were places she could have gone. I just don't think it would have fit into the show," Ferreira stated.
"I don't know if it was going to do her justice, and I think both parties [Levinson and I] knew that I really wanted to be able to not be the fat best friend. I don't want to play that, and I think they didn't want that either."
She also denied the claim that she stormed off set due to a fallout with Levinson: "No, it's okay, promise. It's good. I actually did not walk off set."
"I did sprain my ankle once and had to go get an X-ray. Maybe that's what they mean?"
Things haven't been super, well, euphoric in the Euphoria universe despite its huge success. Castmates Hunter Schafer and Sydney Sweeney also came under fire last year, around the same time people called out Ferreira for her old Tumblr posts featuring racial slurs.
There were also reports of a toxic work environment during Euphoria's production, with claims that SAG-AFTRA complaints were made regarding inadequate accommodations for extras and refusals to let folks use the bathroom. No better time to cue Maddie's famous "Bitch, you better be joking" line.
However, HBO denied these allegations stating that no complaints were "raised," and filming was "in full compliance with all safety guidelines and guild protocols."
Interestingly, HBO's forthcoming series The Idol – also spearheaded by Levinson — was also called out for an controversial set life as the story took a "twisted torn porn" turn under the American filmmaker (he's starting to develop an unsettling rep at this point). Sheesh, the Levinson curse is among us.
