Zendaya says – Zendaya marked her last day of filming on Euphoria with an emotional behind-the-scenes speech, days after Rue Bennett’s death in the Season 3 finale—following fentanyl-laced pain pills.
Zendaya stepped into a studio microphone with tears already close. In a behind-the-scenes video that opened this week after the Euphoria Season 3 finale. the 29-year-old actress spoke directly to the crew. thanking them for seven years on the HBO series—ending the journey that began with her portrayal of Rue Bennett.
“I just want to say thank you,” Zendaya said to the team. “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 paused, voice cracking with emotion. “It’s been such a pleasure and an honor. Thank you so much.”
Her goodbye comes just after the finale confirmed the speculation that had been building toward the end of Rue’s story. In the Season 3 finale, Zendaya’s character died after taking pain pills that were laced with fentanyl.
As it has throughout all three seasons, the episode was followed by a behind-the-scenes video—and this one began with Zendaya delivering her final message on what she described as her last day of filming.
The clip then shifted to messages from the people who shaped the show with her. Creator, writer, and director Sam Levinson called Zendaya’s performance “wonderful and layered” across the seasons.
“We fell in love with this character,” Levinson said. “This girl who’s flawed and f-cked up, but has a good heart. And trying to do right, at least sometimes.”
Cinematographer Marcell Rév also spoke about working with Zendaya on the final shoot day. “Z‘s last shooting day, we shot some driving stuff with her. It was a very emotional day,” he said.
Sam Levinson added, “It’s a blessing to work with talented people, people that you love. I feel so lucky.”
Hunter Schafer brought a more personal note as well. recalling that she ended up beside Zendaya from the beginning of her own major scenes. “I feel so lucky my first major scene partner ended up being a soulmate,” Schafer shared. “Z is somebody that I’m gonna be talking to when I’m old. I love her to the moon and back.”.
Later in the video, Levinson explained how the finale landed for him—less like a twist, more like a conclusion that had been waiting to happen. “This just felt like the honest ending,” he said. “The honest ending is people like Rue don’t make it.”
Zendaya Euphoria Season 3 Rue Bennett Sam Levinson Marcell Rév Hunter Schafer HBO behind-the-scenes
Wait so Rue died from fentanyl-laced pills like… is the show just trying to scare everyone now? That’s messed up.
I thought Zendaya was leaving because of her contract or something but nah it’s like the plot made her do it? Also the headline says goodbye after season 3 finale so is she done forever or just done filming for a bit?
the part about “last day of filming” makes me sad but also I’m like… if Rue took pain pills, wouldn’t that mean she could’ve survived if it wasn’t laced? Like why make it fentanyl specifically, feels too real.
Sam Levinson talking about “honest ending” but it’s still a TV show lol. I swear they just wanted shock value then called it deep. And Zendaya crying in the studio mic… yeah that’s gonna hit, but I’m still mad at how they ended it.