Euphoria Season 3’s Controversial Episode May Have Just Won Zendaya Her 3rd Emmy

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This article reveals significant spoilers for Euphoria season 3, episode 4, “Kitty Likes to Dance,” and includes discussion of sexual assault. Please be advised.

Okay, so season 3 of Euphoria is really dividing people – a lot of fans aren’t loving it, and honestly, it’s making me wonder if Zendaya will win her third Emmy. I mean, her performance as Rue has been incredible, earning her two Emmys already. Everyone was predicting she’d easily win again this year, but now? It’s not so clear anymore. It’s a shame, because she deserves all the accolades, but the reaction to this season is definitely throwing a wrench into things.

Before the release of Euphoria season 3, Rue was the central character and the emotional core of the show. However, the new season’s premiere sparked criticism, and many viewers and critics found Rue’s storyline particularly troubling. Her involvement in dangerous drug trafficking and working for a questionable strip club makes it seem like she’s in a completely different series now.

Okay, so the fourth episode, “Kitty Likes to Dance,” really stuck with me. It’s a perfect illustration of how intense things get. Rue’s in a really tough spot – she got caught by the DEA and now has to work as an informant, which immediately makes Alamo suspicious whenever she asks about where drugs are coming from. And honestly, she doesn’t help herself. When this new stripper, Kitty, gets assaulted in the champagne room, it felt like Euphoria crossed a line – it was just too much, even for this show.

The main plots feel more like a generic crime show than a story about young people growing up and dealing with difficult issues like mental health, sexuality, and drug use. Despite being dark and unpleasant, these storylines could surprisingly earn Zendaya another three Emmy awards.

The Controversial Euphoria Season 3, Episode 4 Is Some Of Zendaya’s Best Acting

Episode 4 of Euphoria feels like a return to form for the show. After starting season 3 with the characters leading separate lives, “Kitty Likes to Dance” brings them back together in important ways. Maddy is now helping Cassie, who’s moved into the same building as Lexi. And Rue’s sister, Lexi, makes a questionable decision by hiring Jules to create artwork for her TV show. It feels like the core group is finally reconnecting.

Rue’s role feels surprisingly isolated. While she briefly appears at Cassie’s photoshoot to ask Maddy about drugs, she’s largely disconnected from the main group. This is a bit of a letdown from a narrative perspective, but strategically, it could boost her chances for awards recognition.

While Rue’s chaotic and sometimes unlikeable behavior is reminiscent of Hunter S. Thompson’s style, Zendaya delivers incredible performances because of it. Her work in “Kitty Likes to Dance” is particularly impressive, showcasing Rue at her most vulnerable and inexperienced, desperately trying to deceive the DEA and hoping to avoid consequences.

But honestly, it’s when Rue starts secretly informing that Zendaya really blew me away. It’s not just that she’s a good liar, it’s that her addiction fuels it, and that poker scene with Alamo was just incredible – you’re on the edge of your seat waiting for something to happen. It’s actually Rue’s history with addiction that ends up saving her, because Alamo assumes she’s just relapsed, which is so twisted. The look on Zendaya’s face when she gets away with it – a mix of relief and shame – it’s so complex, and she portrays it perfectly. It’s a truly masterful performance.

The situation becomes particularly difficult with Kitty’s attack. Rue is forced to pretend everything is normal at the Silver Slipper while secretly gathering information and deeply worried about Kitty – it’s a lot to handle, but Zendaya portrays it flawlessly. Her haunted expression as she watches the security footage is incredibly powerful, and the scene might have been even more impactful if it hadn’t directly shown the violent act itself.

Season 3 of Euphoria is taking a darker turn with Laurie intensifying her conflict with Alamo. After a violent attack leaves Big Eddy seriously injured and the Silver Slipper robbed, Faye is identified as the getaway driver. Because Rue introduced Faye to Laurie’s dangerous world, Rue is becoming increasingly entangled in the consequences – and this could significantly improve Zendaya’s chances of winning another Emmy.

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2026-05-05 17:11