HBO & 'Euphoria' Creator Sam Levinson Accused of Ripping Off Photographer Petra Collins' Work

HBO and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson have been accused of ripping off the work of photographer Petra Collins.

For those who don’t know, Petra, 30, is a prolific photographer and director who is most recently known for directing many of Olivia Rodrigo‘s music videos.

Petra spoke to Hungarian outlet Punkt back in January, but the interview is first making headlines right now and it appears certain parts of the original article have been edited amid the resurfacing. Screenshots are now floating around social media.

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In the interview, Petra alleged that Sam reached out to ask her to direct some of Euphoria and that he told her the show was inspired by her work.

“I moved to L.A. and worked for HBO for about five months,” Petra said. “I was like, ‘I am directing the show.’ I created a whole world for it, did the casting, whatever. [And at] the last minute, HBO was like, ‘We are not hiring you because you are too young.’”

“A year later, I walked out of my apartment and saw this billboard [for Euphoria], and it’s exactly… a copy of my work. I started crying. I was so shocked. I mean, it happens to me so many times in my career but not on a scale like that,” Petra continued.

“That series was an exorcism to me,” Petra said. “I had to change my style because of Euphoria. Lots of people started to take photos in that style and I haven’t felt any more as mine and I felt disconnected from that. I need to find myself again, cause I didn’t resonate with this anymore.”

A source close to Sam is denying the accusations.

“It’s very widely known that Euphoria is a remake of an Israeli show,” the source told The Daily Beast.

The source added that Sam offered to throw Petra‘s name “in the ring” to be considered as a director. The source said, “As a fan of hers, he was hoping there was a possibility they could work together in that way. But by no means was anything promised. That wouldn’t have even been possible for him to do because ultimately it’s the network’s decision.”

Sam recently teased what will happen in the upcoming third season of Euphoria.