‘I didn’t want to be the fat best friend’: Euphoria star Barbie Ferreira reveals why she left the hit series and addresses ‘tensions’ between her and showrunner Sam Levinson
Euphoria star Barbie Ferreira has revealed her desire to “not play a fat best friend” led to her exiting the hit show amid rumors of tension between her and showrunner Sam Levinson.
The 26-year-old actress, who played Kat Hernandez in two seasons of the show, told the Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard podcast Monday that the storylines for the character “didn’t do her justice” and that Levinson didn’t connect with Kat have.
Ferreira, who is next set to star in a comedy called The Young King, shocked the world last year when she revealed to her 5.8million followers that she was stepping down from her role in the third season of Euphoria would repeat – but insists it was a joint decision.
She said to Shepard, “I don’t think there was a place she could go. I think there were places she could have gone. I just don’t think it would have fit into the show.
“I don’t know if it would do her justice and I think both parties do [Levinson and I] knew I really didn’t want to be the fat best friend.’
Fan favorite: Euphoria star Barbie Ferreira has revealed her desire not to “play a fat best friend,” which led to her exiting the hit series amid rumors of tension between her and showrunner Sam Levinson.
Rumours: Just before the end of the season, a report from The Daily Beast surfaced claiming that Ferreira had a falling out with Levinson (pictured in 2022 with starring Zendaya).
“I don’t want to play that – and I don’t think they wanted to either.”
The star added it was a “struggle” finding storylines for her character in season two, resulting in a greatly reduced presence on the show.
She said: “It was a struggle to find the sequel to her. So it was really hurtful to watch it and see the fans getting upset.
“I just felt like maybe it’s like I overstepped my welcome a little bit? “Well, for me, I actually felt good to be like, ‘Okay, I don’t have to worry about it and we’re both not overly concerned about it,’ because it’s exhausting.
She also claimed Levinson didn’t connect with her character and “only writes for things that he relates to.”
She said: “I like Kat so I can go my own way. At first I was like, oh my god, I’m a flop. I am a loser.’ [But] It was really a good thing.’
Announcing her departure from the show in August, Ferreira wrote on Instagram: “After four years of portraying the special and enigmatic character Kat, I have to say goodbye with tears in my eyes.
She continued, “I hope many of you were able to see yourself in her as I did and that she brought you joy to see her journey into the character she is today.”
Candid: The 26-year-old actress, who played Kat Hernandez in two seasons of the show, told the podcast Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard on Monday that the storylines for the character “didn’t do her justice” and that Levinson didn’t do it herself linked to Kat (pictured March 10)
Ferreira ended her post by writing, “I’ve put all my care and love into her and I hope you can feel it. I love you Katherine Hernandez.’
Prior to her time on the series, Ferreira had only one two-episode arc in Divorce and two shorts to her credit.
Her character quickly became a fan favorite after the first season, although fans noticed that her screen presence waned significantly in the second season.
Just before the end of the season, a report from The Daily Beast surfaced claiming that Ferreira had clashed with Levinson.
The report claimed that the tension got so bad that Ferreira left the set and that this friction resulted in her reduced screen time.