Two Euphoria Stars, Two Career Paths: Zendaya vs Sydney Sweeney
Both actresses started young and broke through with HBO's hit series, but their approaches to Hollywood success couldn't be more different. One chooses projects carefully while the other hustles relentlessly.
Two of Hollywood's brightest young talents emerged from the same HBO series but have taken completely different paths to stardom. Both Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney got their big breaks on Euphoria, yet their career strategies reveal fascinating contrasts in how modern actresses navigate the entertainment industry.
Zendaya began her journey as a Disney Channel star on Shake It Up, while Sweeney appeared in various television roles as a child. Zendaya's transition to mainstream cinema came through her portrayal of MJ in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Meanwhile, Sweeney gained recognition through Netflix's Everything Sucks! and HBO's Sharp Objects. However, both actresses truly exploded into the spotlight with their Euphoria performances five years ago.
The Art-First Approach
Zendaya has built her reputation on being extremely selective about her roles. Critics have praised her natural charisma, authentic delivery, and compelling screen presence across diverse projects. She successfully transitioned from Disney's family-friendly content to more mature roles in Spider-Man films, The OA, and Euphoria.
Her filmography showcases remarkable range. She demonstrated her vocal abilities in 2017's The Greatest Showman, delivered a powerhouse performance opposite John David Washington in the intimate black-and-white drama Malcolm & Marie, and took on the role of Chani in Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part One. She also appeared in Spider-Man: No Way Home, which became the highest-earning film of her career.
Her 2024 included the highly anticipated Dune sequel and Luca Guadagnino's critically acclaimed tennis drama Challengers. While she took 2025 off from theaters, her 2026 schedule is packed with major projects including Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, her fourth Marvel appearance in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and Dune 3. She'll also star alongside Robert Pattinson in The Drama.
In an IMDb interview, she revealed her preference for complex characters, stating: "[I want to play characters] who are complicated… unlikable, unlovable, or irredeemable." Using her Euphoria character Rue as an example, she explained: "Remember that she's human and she's hurting, too."
She once admitted to the Irish Times that acting wasn't initially intuitive for her: "I learned about my love for acting from the stage. My mom worked at the California Shakespeare Theater since I was a kid. So I really fell in love with acting because of actors I got to see on stage every day since I was two. It was my life. And I just was obsessed with what they were doing. I didn't really understand it."
The Business-Savvy Hustler
Sydney Sweeney has taken a markedly different approach, combining artistic choices with savvy business moves and bold promotional strategies. Despite facing significant backlash in 2025 for controversial marketing campaigns including her bathwater soap and American Eagle advertisement, both ventures generated millions in revenue.
Sweeney's career moves center on creating buzz, generating attention, and driving box office success. She's proven herself as an exceptional promoter of her projects. Before recent setbacks with films like Americana, Eden, Echo Valley, and Christy, she created genuine box office magic.
Her rise to prominence began with small television appearances on Criminal Minds and Grey's Anatomy before landing her breakthrough role in Netflix's Everything Sucks! Though well-received, the series was cancelled after one season. Her career-defining role came as Cassie Howard in Euphoria, earning her an Emmy nomination in 2022.
Sweeney's journey wasn't without struggles. During a GQ interview, she revealed her plan to help her family reclaim their home at 18, which didn't materialize. Facing constant rejection during auditions, she recalled: "A casting director told me once that I will never be on a TV show."
Her latest film The Housemaid, co-starring Amanda Seyfried, has won over critics with what reviewers describe as "audience-friendly energy and ridiculous appeal." One critic called it "fun, trashy, gaslit Hallmark porn in the best way," which perfectly captures the type of entertaining projects Sweeney often chooses.
The Financial Scorecard
The actresses' different approaches have yielded varying financial results. Zendaya reportedly earned around $500,000 per Euphoria episode across both seasons, while Sweeney received $350,000 for 13 episodes total. Zendaya's post-Euphoria earnings include $300,000 each for her first two Spider-Man films, $2 million for No Way Home, $300,000 for the first Dune, $2 million for the sequel, and a career-high $10 million for Challengers.
Sweeney earned $2 million for Anyone but You plus an additional $250,000 as executive producer, $750,000 for Madame Web, $250,000 for Immaculate, and reportedly $7.5 million for The Housemaid. Celebrity Net Worth estimates Zendaya's total wealth at $30 million, while Sweeney's is estimated at $40 million.