Zendaya Reacts To D.A.R.E. Saying 'Euphoria' is 'Glorifying' Drug Use
Zendaya is defending her HBO series, Euphoria, to D.A.R.E., the anti-drug education group.
The 25-year-old actress, who plays Rue on the series, spoke out after hearing D.A.R.E’s statement about how the show is glorifying drug use to teens.
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In their initial statement, via TMZ, D.A.R.E. claimed that the series was normalizing drug abuse by depicting it as a typical extracurricular activity among high schoolers.
“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.”
The statement continued, “It is unfortunate that HBO, social media, television program reviewers, and paid advertising have chosen to refer to the show as ‘groundbreaking,’ rather than recognizing the potential negative consequences on school-age children who today face unparalleled risks and mental health challenges.”
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Zendaya spoke out about the group’s statement, saying that’s not what the show is about at all.
“Our show is in no way a moral tale to teach people how to live their life or what they should be doing,” she 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.”
Zendaya added, “And maybe feel like they’re not the only one going through or dealing with what they’re dealing with.”
That being said, Zendaya also spoke of how showing the intense scenes with the drug use is important for Rue’s journey as she goes toward a “light at the end of the tunnel for her, because I think she has a lot of beauty inside of her. Whether or not she quite sees that yet, is her own thing.”
“My biggest hope is that people are able to connect to it and those who need to heal and grow with Rue hopefully, by the end of this season, feel that hope and feel that change in her,” she said.
Euphoria, which was just renewed for a third season, airs Sundays on HBO.