Binitha JacobNovember 11, 2025 at 10:03 AM

The picture-perfect friendship between Sydney Sweeney and Zendaya is now reportedly hanging by a thread.

Once good friends who grew close on the set of Euphoria, the two actresses seemed to have hit a rough patch because of Sydney’s recent controversies.

Sources revealed that their “bitter feud” escalated to the point where they are now refusing to stand next to each other at public events.

The once picture-perfect friendship between Sydney Sweeney and Zendaya is now reportedly hanging by a thread

Image credits: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO/HBO MAX

Sydney Sweeney, 28, once called herself “lucky” to be able to work with Zendaya on the drama series Euphoria.

Reports confirmed that Zendaya was returning to the show to reprise her role of Rue Bennett. Sydney also expressed immense excitement over reappearing onscreen as Cassie Howard on the HBO series

However, as the shooting of season 3 wrapped up this month, sources claimed the actresses have been locked in a tense feud due to their political opinions.

Image credits: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for HBO/HBO MAX

Zendaya, 29, reportedly wants to keep a distance due to the recent controversy surrounding Sydney’s ad for American Eagle, which some saw as “racist” and “white suprem*cist.”

Sources claimed Zendaya is upset about the White Lotus star’s views and is “refusing” to do press calls for Euphoria season 3.

“It’s no wonder she’s refusing to do it,” one insider told the Daily Mail.

The source said Zendaya was in a “difficult position,” especially because of Sydney’s apparent support for right-wing politics.

The two Euphoria co-stars refuse to stand next to each other at public events, sources claimed

Image credits: VanityFair

Zendaya has been a vocal opposer of US President Donald Trump and said she was “petrified” and “heartbroken” on social media when he was elected the first time in 2016.

On the other hand, Sydney’s voting records reportedly show that she is a registered Republican. However, she has not publicly commented on this.

“Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the ‘HOTTEST’ ad out there. It’s for American Eagle, and the jeans are ‘flying off the shelves,’” Trump previously said on social media, gushing with praise over the Christy actress.

Image credits: TheDrewBarrymoreShow

Zendaya and Sydney’s seemingly opposing political views have put their friendship on the rocks, reports said.

“It’s a difficult position for Zendaya to be in because if she even stands next to Sydney on the red carpet, it can be read as her excusing Sydney’s views on Trump and her refusal to apologise for the racist ad,” the insider told the outlet.

Sydney has been embroiled in controversy since the release of the American Eagle jeans campaign with the tagline: “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans.”

One of the campaign videos featured the Euphoria star buttoning up her jeans and saying, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color… my genes are blue.”

Netizens felt the wordplay on “genes” and “jeans” was problematic, claiming it was glorifying whiteness.

“It’s a difficult position for Zendaya to be in…,” the insider said

Image credits: Christopher Polk/NBC via Getty Images

Sydney expressed no regrets about starring in the controversial ad campaign during a GQ cover story this month.

“I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jeans,” she said.

“All I wear are jeans. I’m literally in jeans and a T-shirt every day of my life… I knew at the end of the day what that ad was for, and it was great jeans, it didn’t affect me one way or the other,” she continued.

Image credits: GQ

Sydney and Zendaya once had a picture-perfect friendship, with the former star often praising the latter in interviews.

When the Greatest Showman actress won the Emmy award in 2020, Sydney expressed pride and support.

“We were all watching the Emmys because we were all crossing our fingers and we just freaked out,” she said at the time. “It’s so amazing, I’m very, very proud and excited for Z.”

Sydney expressed no regret over her American Eagle jean commercial in a recent interview

Image credits: American Eagle

In a past interview with Access Hollywood, Sydney spoke about her experience working with the Dune star.

“I’m really lucky,” she said. “It’s been amazing being able to watch her and just see how much of a boss-a** she is.”

Last month, Sydney spoke about returning to the set of Euphoria after three years.

“It’s mostly the same crew, so it feels like I’m going home to family,” she told Variety last month. “I’ve grown up with them. I was 20 when I did the pilot, so being able to see a lot of the same people, it feels very comforting.”

Netizens didn’t hold back on their thoughts after news of the stars’ feud quickly spread online

Image credits: Jimmy Kimmel Live

In light of the actresses’ reported feud, netizens claimed Sydney once liked a post about Zendaya’s longtime boyfriend and fiancé, Tom Holland.

“Okay but Tom Holland is so d*** fine,” read the tweet, which Sydney seemingly liked, according to the screenshot.

The information was not verified.

Image credits: yousdayaa

Netizens didn’t hold back on their thoughts after news of the stars’ feud quickly spread online.

“Wow imagine being so petty,” one said, while another wrote, “The correct word is jealousy.”

“Good on Zendaya. Gotta stand for something,” one wrote online

Another wrote, “Well, I guess it’s hard for Zendaya that Sydney became more famous than her overnight.”

“I’m with Zendaya. Sydney Sweeney can collaborate with someone who shares her views,” said another.

“Grow up. Everyone has a difference of opinion on many things in life,” read one comment online