The Euphoria Cast's Divergent Paths to Stardom

From Disney star to Emmy winner, the Euphoria cast's net worth and industry impact tell a story of reckless casting, perfect timing, and the power of self-branding.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 12:36am

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The casting process for HBO's hit drama Euphoria brought together a diverse group of actors, from a 22-year-old Disney Channel star to a trans model with no prior acting experience. The show's success has had a profound impact on the careers and net worth of its cast, with Zendaya emerging as a major Hollywood player, Barbie Ferreira's character being sidelined, Sydney Sweeney building a business empire, and the tragic death of Angus Cloud leaving a void that the show must grapple with.

Why it matters

Euphoria's casting process and the subsequent trajectories of its actors provide a unique window into the entertainment industry, highlighting the power of a single breakthrough role, the challenges of maintaining relevance in auteur-driven television, and the importance of leveraging fame to build lasting careers and wealth.

The details

The Euphoria casting process brought together a mix of established and unknown actors, including Zendaya, a Disney Channel alum who landed the lead role of Rue, and Barbie Ferreira, a plus-size model who was perfectly cast as the confident Kat Hernandez. Meanwhile, trans model Hunter Schafer and newcomer Jacob Elordi also joined the ensemble. The show's success has had a profound impact on the cast, with Zendaya becoming one of the most sought-after young actresses in Hollywood, earning up to $1 million per episode, while Ferreira's character was sidelined in later seasons, highlighting the challenges of maintaining creative control in auteur-driven television. Sydney Sweeney, who initially struggled to afford living in Los Angeles on her Euphoria salary, has since built a $40 million business empire, and the tragic death of Angus Cloud, who was discovered on a Brooklyn street and brought an authentic, unrehearsed quality to his role as Fezco, has left a void that the show must grapple with in its upcoming third season.

  • In the summer of 2018, the Euphoria casting process took place in Culver City, California.
  • Zendaya was cast as the lead role of Rue Bennett in Euphoria.
  • Barbie Ferreira was cast as Kat Hernandez, a character with a culturally urgent storyline exploring sexuality and body positivity.
  • Hunter Schafer and an unknown actor were cast in key roles, despite having no prior acting experience.
  • Angus Cloud was discovered on a Brooklyn street and cast as Fezco, one of the show's most beloved characters.

The players

Zendaya

A 22-year-old Disney Channel actress who landed the lead role of Rue Bennett in Euphoria, going on to become one of the most sought-after young actresses in Hollywood, earning up to $1 million per episode and winning two Emmy Awards.

Barbie Ferreira

A plus-size model who was perfectly cast as the confident Kat Hernandez, but whose character's storyline was significantly reduced in later seasons, highlighting the challenges of maintaining creative control in auteur-driven television.

Sydney Sweeney

An actress who initially struggled to afford living in Los Angeles on her Euphoria salary, but has since built a $40 million business empire, including a production company and a lingerie brand.

Angus Cloud

An actor who was discovered on a Brooklyn street and brought an authentic, unrehearsed quality to his role as Fezco, one of the show's most beloved characters, before his tragic death at the age of 25.

Jacob Elordi

An Australian actor who was cast as the menacing Nate Jacobs, a role that helped him shed his teen heartthrob image and establish himself as a dramatic actor, leading to an Oscar nomination.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

Euphoria's casting process and the subsequent trajectories of its actors highlight the power of a single breakthrough role, the challenges of maintaining relevance in auteur-driven television, and the importance of leveraging fame to build lasting careers and wealth. The show's impact on its cast has been profound, with some, like Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney, using it as a springboard to greater success, while others, like Barbie Ferreira, have struggled to maintain their creative control and visibility.