Joe Budden panel clashes over whether Zendaya has the power to oust Sydney Sweeney from "Euphoria" after reported differences over political views

The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" - Arrivals - Source: Getty
Zendaya attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney were recently discussed on Joe Budden's podcast, and the panel clashed over whether the actress has the power to oust Sydney Sweeney from the show Euphoria. The panel broke out in debate after it was reported that the two Euphoria stars had differences due to their political views, with one member of the panel, Ish, stating:

"If Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney wanted to address each other, my ni**a we on a set. We can address each other."

Parks Valley added that the two actors play characters whose storylines are not linked all that much:

"As someone who watched the show, their storylines don't really overlap. Like they are typically in the same scene. They might never even see each other on the set."

Joe Budden then contradicted, stating that the promoters of the show might want to put the two stars together to help the promotion. Another panel member added:

"We talk a lot about removing that personal shi*t from business. Business is business. We always talk about that. Business right now is if you had that much of a problem with the person, you should have removed them from the show already."

The panel member went on to state that Zendaya had enough power to kick Sweeney off the show. Ish contradicted her, stating that he was not sure Zendaya had enough power to do that. Others pointed out that Euphoria is based around her character, and other actors and their characters have been removed from the show previously.

It was also pointed out that the actress is an executive producer for the show, unlike Sweeney. Parks also pointed out that even if the two actresses were in disagreement, unless it was specified in the contract, they would not have to do press together.

For context, Sydney Sweeney has been an outspoken supporter of Republican President Donald Trump and has registered herself as a Republican in Florida. Zendaya, meanwhile, has been a vocal critic of white nationalism and is a feminist. She is also firmly opposed to Trump and his politics and has been vocally critical of him as well.


More on the alleged tension between Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney

Zendaya apparently is uncomfortable with Sweeney's views and her starring in an American Eagle ad that has been called out as racist. The Daily Mail reported on this, and their source is quoted below:

"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 to apologise for the racist ad."

Sydney Sweeney has refused to apologize for doing the American Eagle ad, which shows her buttoning up her jeans with the voiceover by Sweeney claiming her genes were 'blue,' a statement that is controversial due to its implication of promoting eugenics, a discredited racial science that was most famously used by the Nazis. Eugenics is also popular among white nationalists.

Sweeney told GQ when asked about the ad:

"I did a jean ad. I mean, the reaction definitely was a surprise, but I love jean. 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."

Others have taken issue with the hypersexualized nature of the ad. American Eagle eventually took down the ad after facing intense criticism, but the video of it can still be found on online platforms.

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Edited by Sroban Ghosh