Zendaya’s mother, Claire Stoermer, shared her feelings following the dramatic conclusion of “Euphoria,” which ended with the death of Rue Bennett, the character played by her daughter. The finale aired on May 31 and sparked intense reactions among fans.
On June 1, Stoermer expressed on Instagram that she had received numerous messages about the ending. She chose to keep most of her thoughts private but admitted it made her “sad” and stirred other emotions.
Zendaya, who grew up in Oakland, gained fame through her role as Rue, a young woman battling addiction. This portrayal earned her two Emmy Awards, solidifying “Euphoria” as one of HBO’s most talked-about series. In the finale, titled “In God We Trust,” Rue succumbs after taking laced painkillers from Alamo Brown, portrayed by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Rue’s mentor, Ali, played by Colman Domingo, discovers her lifeless body.
Creator Sam Levinson linked Rue’s death to the real-life passing of Angus Cloud, who played Fezco, Rue’s protector. Cloud died of an accidental overdose in 2023, and his brief appearance in the finale features unseen footage, offering a poignant farewell.
Levinson noted that the ending reflects a harsh reality, stating, “The honest ending is that people like Rue don’t make it.” HBO has confirmed that the upcoming third season will be the last for “Euphoria.”
Fans and critics are divided over the finale, with some applauding its realistic portrayal of addiction, while others critique the choice to kill off a central character associated with hope for recovery. Zendaya has not yet shared a detailed public response but expressed gratitude in behind-the-scenes footage released alongside the finale.
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