Zendaya has officially said goodbye to Euphoria and her character Rue Bennett following the divisive season 3 finale. HBO released footage of the actress's emotional farewell speech in a behind-the-scenes featurette for the final episode.
A Major Transition
After rising to fame on the Disney Channel, Euphoria marked a significant transition for Zendaya. The hit drama, which deals with adult themes, was a drastic change from her role in K.C. Undercover just a year prior. Her performance earned her two Emmys for Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
The Final Episode
Warning: Spoilers for Euphoria season 3 episode 8 below. In the finale, Rue tragically dies after accidentally overdosing on Percocets laced with fentanyl, given to her by Alamo. The season ends with Ali avenging Rue by killing Alamo, while other characters attempt to move on.
Zendaya has not yet spoken about the finale on social media, but HBO shared a clip of her final speech on set. A visibly emotional Zendaya says: "I just want to say thank you. I’m incredibly grateful for every single one of you, and many of you have been here from the beginning and watched me grow up." She adds: "It’s been a pleasure and an honor. Thank you so much."
Reflections on Rue
Discussing her time on Euphoria on The Drew Barrymore Show in April, Zendaya said: "Rue broke my heart open. Rue taught me so much about life. That crew has also seen me grow up. I owe so much to that show. Rue taught me so much about empathy and redemption." When asked if Euphoria was ending, she replied: "I think so."
Fans are reacting to the emotional conclusion of the series, which has been a cultural phenomenon. What are your thoughts on Euphoria's ending?
