Nearly three weeks after “Euphoria” wrapped on HBO, creator Sam Levinson pushed back on the backlash around Cassie Howard’s OnlyFans storyline, arguing the show was exploring how young people chase fast cash in an era where social media sells the self.
Nearly three weeks after “Euphoria” wrapped up its run on HBO, creator Sam Levinson stepped into the conversation about one of Season 3’s most controversial turns.
Sydney Sweeney. who played Cassie Howard across all three seasons of “Euphoria. ” faced heavy blowback this spring after Cassie began an OnlyFans career—with help from Alexa Demie’s Maddy Perez. On Friday’s episode of “Real Time With Bill Maher. ” Levinson defended the storyline. saying it felt timely because OnlyFans is no longer a niche side hustle.
“If you look at Only Fans, it is making as much money as Hollywood. I mean, essentially it’s on par,” Levinson said. “It’s not a niche business, it is a massive enterprise. And so if you’re young. you’re going … ‘I don’t want to go work in a nine to five at this place or that thing. Well, maybe I can just start taking photos of myself?’”.
Levinson then made his point about what the show was really trying to examine. “What happens when you know. as a young person. you’re on Instagram … and you’re told that you’re the product. you’re the brand. and now you’re 18 years old. and you’re going well. ‘How do I make money?’” he said. “And I just thought chasing that desire, that kind of fast cash, was an interesting thing to kind of explore.”.
He acknowledged the backlash. Levinson said they “caught a lot of criticism for it. ” but he also questioned whether viewers would react the same way if the show “actually ‘affirmed this life.’” He added that “we take a fairly critical look at it. ” calling out the emotional cost: “It hollows out the individual. You know, you’re constantly just depending on the likes and external validation.”.
Bill Maher, the host, appeared to back that view, saying he was particularly impressed by Demie’s performance. Maher called her “the moral center” of the narrative and referenced a moment where Demie’s character says, “Because I’m not a hooker,” adding, “And I feel like that said it all.”
Levinson expanded on what he saw as another layer to the story, reminding Maher that Demie’s Maddy was “managing the girls.” Levinson described it as “sort of light pimping.”
He also tied the storyline back to the platform-driven world surrounding the characters. arguing that the move toward selling oneself online is part of social media’s evolution. “I mean. if you’re constantly taking photos of yourself and selling yourself online. it’s the natural evolution of it. ” he said.
The conversation also looked beyond the plot itself. Levinson doubled down on ending “Euphoria” with Season 3, describing it as “a natural conclusion.”
For viewers looking to revisit where the controversy began, seasons 1-3 of “Euphoria” are available to stream on HBO Max.
Euphoria Sam Levinson Sydney Sweeney Cassie Howard Alexa Demie Maddy Perez OnlyFans Bill Maher Real Time With Bill Maher HBO HBO Max entertainment news