During a 2019 Euphoria panel, Zendaya encountered an unexpected question. Fresh off the show’s premiere, she fielded audience inquiries when a young fan’s query left her visibly surprised.
“What was it like going from Disney to this?” the fan innocently asked. Euphoria, known for its mature themes like drug use and violence, is far from appropriate for younger viewers. Zendaya’s smile quickly faded upon realizing the child’s age.
Her initial response addressed parental responsibility: “Please tell me you are not in here for this. Oh my god.” She then composed herself and answered the question directly, acknowledging the significant shift in her career path with Euphoria.
The incident sparked online debate. Some viewers, unfamiliar with the show’s content, initially saw the question as harmless. However, others expressed concern about the child’s exposure to such themes and questioned the parents’ role.
Realizing the child’s age, Zendaya’s expression shifted dramatically. “Please tell me you are not in here for this,” she said, concern evident in her voice. “Oh my god,” she added, emphasizing parental responsibility with a firm, “Your parents are responsible, okay?”
After a beat to compose herself, Zendaya addressed the question. “It’s a big jump, very different,” she acknowledged. “But it’s an important step in my career, done in the right space. It’s nerve-wracking, for sure.”
Online, the incident sparked discussion. Some viewers, unfamiliar with Euphoria’s mature themes, initially found the question innocent. One commenter wrote, “I looked it up after… appreciate her reaction!”
Others, however, expressed concern. “Penny definitely dropped,” another noted, referring to Zendaya’s realization. The question raised the issue of parental responsibility. One viewer commented, “Kids can handle some mature content with guidance, but Euphoria’s not for them.”
An alternative theory emerged: perhaps the child wasn’t a Euphoria fan, but a fan of Zendaya’s Disney work. In this view, the parents might have simply wanted their child to have a moment with Zendaya and thought the question relevant to the venue, “probably clueless” about Euphoria’s content.