Euphoria’s Storm Reid Opens Up About Her Absence and Shares Thoughts on Rue’s Death
Euphoria’s final season has been noticeably absent of key characters, and now one original cast member has addressed their lack of presence.
Storm Reid, who portrayed Rue’s (Zendaya) sister Gia, commented on her unexpected death in the finale that aired on Sunday, May 31. Sharing a video of her music studio sessions, Reid humorously noted, “Sorry Rue, I’m busy in the stu.”
A social media user replied, “It’s fine, you weren’t in her last 7 minutes.” In turn, Reid responded, “Were you?”
Euphoria first premiered in 2019, focusing on the struggles of troubled high school student Rue as she tried to maintain her sobriety post-rehab. The HBO series was quickly renewed for a second season, but it took nearly three years for the new episodes to be released.
Season 3 was initially slated for a 2025 release on HBO but encountered multiple obstacles, including creator Sam Levinson’s engagement with his brief series The Idol. The simultaneous WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in late 2023 added to the postponement.
Although Reid has confirmed her departure from the show, her on-screen mother, Nika King, has voiced her frustration regarding the delays.
“Season 3 is coming out. I don’t f***ing know. Don’t ask me. I don’t know. It’s one of those things,” King stated during a stand-up performance in March 2024. “People are saying, ‘We need season 3.’ I’m like, ‘Bitch, I need season 3. I haven’t paid my rent in six months.’ And Zendaya’s over in Paris at Fashion Week. I’m like, ‘Bitch, come home! I need you! Mama needs you!’”
King attempted to lighten the mood regarding the delays.
“You’re laughing and I’m serious. I haven’t booked anything since Euphoria. This is some bulls***,” she continued. “I thought my career was on an uptick. After Euphoria, I thought I was set. It doesn’t work that way. I called [Taraji P. Henson], and she was like, ‘Bitch, get used to it.’”
King appeared in two brief scenes on the show and later addressed the reduced dialogue in an Instagram post, reminiscing about having filmed more extensive exchanges.
“I just watched the episode I’ve been promoting all week— and my mom is over here roasting me!” King joked in May, adding that her mother laughed because “the internet waited all this time for [her] to just say one line.”
King continued, “You better be glad I have a sense of humor. You better be glad I’ve got thick skin.”
Euphoria is now available for streaming on HBO Max.
