Zendaya Didn't Find 'Euphoria' To Be All That Shocking, But Says Viewers Will

Zendaya is getting candid about her brand new series, Euphoria.

Here’s what the 22-year-old actress shared about the show in a feature piece with the NY Times:

On the intent of the show: “I don’t find it that shocking, to be honest. People will. I kind of accepted the fact that it would be polarizing. I found a little calm in that. Whether people like it or not, it’s real. I’m telling somebody’s story. Just because it’s not happening to you doesn’t mean it’s not happening all the time, every day. It’s hard for me to speak on addiction because it’s not something I have dealt with directly. But I still had friends who were dealing with things, and I had to help them through it.”

On how she felt about stepping into the role: “I was really nervous because I wanted to do well. It’s like going from nothing to everything — there were no steps in between. That’s why people think it’s such a stretch for me to play this character. There’s a lot of people who probably think I can’t do it because they don’t truly understand my personality. And I get it: I’m a Disney kid. There’s a lot to prove.”

On connecting to Rue: “I feel like she’s a version of myself with different choices and circumstances. Rue is a good person, she just doesn’t know it. She’s in pain. There’s something innocent and redeeming about her that reminds you that she’s a human first and an addict second.”

Euphoria premieres Sunday, June 16th on HBO. See the trailer here!