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Zendaya defends 'Euphoria' against criticisms from D.A.R.E.
Press Association

Zendaya defends 'Euphoria' against criticisms from D.A.R.E.

The most recent episode of "Euphoria" followed Rue, played by Zendaya, as she gruesomely spiraled to her rock bottom while experiencing drug withdrawal and dodging her loved ones' attempts at getting her to the hospital.

Previously, in late January, D.A.R.E. had released a statement condemning the show for its approach to portraying addiction and drug use (h/t NBC News).

"Rather than further each parent’s desire to keep their children safe from the potentially horrific consequences of drug abuse and other high-risk behavior, HBO’s television drama, 'Euphoria,' chooses to misguidedly glorify and erroneously depict high school student drug use, addiction, anonymous sex, violence, and other destructive behaviors as common and widespread in today’s world."

While unpacking Sunday night's intense episode with Entertainment Weekly, Zendaya commented on the D.A.R.E. slam.

"Our show is in no way a moral tale to teach people how to live their life or what they should be doing," the 25-year-old record-breaking Emmy winner said. "If anything, the feeling behind 'Euphoria,' or whatever we have always been trying to do with it, is to hopefully help people feel a little bit less alone in their experience and their pain. And maybe feel like they're not the only one going through or dealing with what they're dealing with."

Separately, Zendaya has taken to Instagram to share a trigger warning as well as her greatest hopes for how Rue — and "Euphoria" as a whole — is received.

"Euphoria" premiered its second season Jan. 9 and increased its viewership by a staggering 100% over its first season in 2019. HBO renewed the Sam Levinson creation for a third season last week.

New "Euphoria" episodes are released every Sunday on HBO and HBO Max.

Megan Armstrong

Megan Armstrong (@megankarmstrong) is a writer whose work has appeared in places such as Billboard, GQ, Esquire, Bleacher Report, Uproxx, and others. Megan has also produced various podcasts and hosted a daily radio show at Mizzou. She grew up obsessed with sports — impressing adults by memorizing NFL statistics as a kindergartner — and grew into an obsession with music

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