Euphoria star Zendaya defends show’s racy nude sex scenes and gritty plot line

It’s the new controversial TV show that exposes the underbelly of teenhood — but actor Zendaya explains why it’s not too graphic despite some reviews.

Multi-hyphenate superstar, Zendaya, couldn’t have shaken off her Disney past more emphatically with the hotly anticipated series, Euphoria.

Her character as Rue, a 17-year-old high school student who struggles with myriad addictions from alcohol to a wide variety of drugs, couldn’t be more different from her roles in the Disney Channel’s Shake it Up (2010 — 2013) and K.C. Undercover (2015 to 2018), if she tried.

Exploring the worlds of sex, drugs and social media, the plot-line couldn’t be further from her own reality, and is shockingly resolute in its depiction of commonplace teenage behaviour.

The 22-year-old insists it is true to life. “The stories in the show aren’t that crazy, they’re not that far-fetched or wild because they’re true and honest. It only surprises people because our characters are so young, but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening.”

The drug-infused world in which these high-schoolers dabble is every parent’s nightmare, and it’s a nightmare once faced by the mum and dad of its creator and director Sam Levinson. The son of Barry Levinson, known for such iconic movies as Rain Man and Diner, Sam reportedly got sober 14 years ago and used his own experience as the basis for the series, as Zendaya explains. “They’re Sam’s personal stories. A lot of the scenarios are his struggles with addiction and Rue is very much him.”

Zendaya is part of the new TV show Euphoria. Picture: Getty

Euphoria’s US network HBO is known for its adult and often graphic content, and there is plenty of nudity. Given that we now live in a world where the #metoo and Time’s Up movements are front and centre, does its star worry any of the scenes are gratuitous?

“There is something to women owning their sexuality,” she says, without a moment’s hesitation, “and I think as long as it’s done in a way where the woman is the focus, rather than male-gazing or sexualising a female, it can be very empowering. The female body isn’t something to be afraid of; it’s a beautiful thing.”

Euphoria is adapted from an Israeli series of the same name and is executive-produced by rapper Drake, and his manager, Future the Prince. Levinson most recently co-wrote the acclaimed HBO film, The Wizard of Lies, about the fall of Bernie Madoff, directed by his father. And with quite the eye for upcoming young talent, he assembled a stellar ensemble cast for Euphoria including Maude Apatow, Eric Dane, Storm Reid, Sydney Sweeney, transgender actor and model, Hunter Schafer, and Australia’s Jacob Elordi.

Zendaya most recently earned accolades for her performance in The Greatest Showman alongside Hugh Jackman, and will soon reprise her role as M.J. in the Spider-Man franchise, Spider-Man: Far From Home. While Euphoria is a 180-degree shift for her, she is following in the well-trodden steps of former Disney stars who grew up and shook off their teen stardom, including Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. It appears that Euphoria couldn’t have arrived at a better time.

Euphoria star Zendaya. Picture: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images

“I’ve been working straight since I was 13. I never didn’t have a job and I went through a phase after finishing with Disney where I felt stagnant. Nothing connected to me until I read the script for Euphoria. I’ve never been so captured by anything in my life.”

Zendaya’s character is also the series’ narrator. “We follow it in Rue’s brain and the way she might process information. That captured my attention. In many ways it’s the way my brain works as well. I just felt so connected to her, even though we have very different lives,” she shrugs. “For some reason I feel very similar to her. Maybe she’s like a little sister to me and she’s someone I want to protect. I want her to make the right decisions.”

Now one of the world’s most popular role models for young girls and women, Zendaya quickly showed that she was much more than a singer who can act. She’s also a best-selling author, following the 2013 publication of her book, Between U and Me: How to Rock Your Tween Years with Style and Confidence. And to her credit, she’s unafraid to make bold choices, as evidenced by her recent Met Gala appearance where she stunned onlookers of the camp-themed event by walking the red carpet as Cinderella, an homage to her Disney days.

“It’s where I’m from,” she nods. “I wanted to dress as a Disney princess for the last time, before Euphoria comes out.”

Her Cinderella-inspired gown, custom-made by Tommy Hilfiger, was, unusually for Zendaya, not a unanimous hit. Lindsay Lohan, for one, felt compelled to snipe on Instagram that Claire Danes had not only worn a similar gown in 2016, but apparently worn it better. It’s hard not to smell a little jealousy since not all former teen stars have enjoyed the same success as Zendaya in adulthood.

Euphoria star Zendaya in a scene from the TV hit. Picture: Supplied/Foxtel

“I didn’t feel hurt by it,” Zendaya insists, her voice strong and confident, “and it didn’t make me sad because I have no idea what that person is going through. Maybe in some strange way, that comment made them feel better that day. People are only negative because negativity is eating away at them.”

Fans will next see her on the big screen as M.J. in Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Zendaya is thrilled the character has moved with the times. “M.J. is definitely no damsel in distress,” she laughs. And while rumours abound of a burgeoning romance with Spidey himself, her co-star Tom Holland, she answers simply, “No.” Her firm gaze makes it clear she doesn’t care to elaborate.

Born in Oakland, California, Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman is the only child of Claire Marie (Stoermer), of German and Scottish heritage, and African-American father, Kazembe Ajamu. She began modelling as a child before acting in theatre productions and joined a dance group called Future Shock Oakland. In 2012, she kicked off her recording career with the single Something to Dance For which eventually saw her signed to Disney imprint Hollywood Records. Live music gigs followed, and in 2013, she released her self-titled debut album. Her success has inspired her to help those less fortunate, and she campaigns to feed the hungry in Haiti, Tanzania and the Philippines through feedONE.

Zendaya has grown up fast but hasn’t wandered off the rails, nor been tempted by some of the coming-of-age explorations on show in Euphoria, unlike some of her former Disney counterparts. She attributes this to her parents’ refusal to shield her from certain realities.

“My parents have always been very honest with me which I think is the best way to raise kids. If you hide too much of the real world from your kids they will experience it without any kind of preparation,” she says. “I have a solid base because they gave me a very real understanding of what to expect in life so I’d be prepared for the future.”

Cognisant of her good fortune, she adds, “I’m lucky.”

Euphoria now showing on Monday, 9.30pm, Fox Showcase and On Demand.