Goodbye Kat: Barbie Ferreira Quits 'Euphoria'

Entertainment

| LAST UPDATE 08/25/2022

By Raven Wade
Barbie Ferreira Euphoria Cast
Amy Sussman via Getty Images

We wish we were joking. Barbie Ferreira has publicly announced that she won't be returning to the HBO series, Euphoria for season 3. The dramatic exit has left viewers puzzled as to why. While she played a significant role in the show and was best friends with two of the other main characters, there were deeper reasons why she had to let go...

Fans were introduced to Barbie's character, Kat, straight off the bat in season 1. We saw little Kat grow into a confident and sassy teen, dropping jaws and turning heads as she walked by. But, it wasn't always that way. And as a character, she was highly intriguing to those watching. At the start of the series, Kat's life story exposed a vulnerable girl hungry for love and passion. Though she had friends, she was smart and understood the toxic air that dominated high school. As the show continued, we saw changes in Kat's presence, which kicked off endless BTS rumors. There were many reports regarding the tension between Ferreira and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson. Whispers circulated regarding a settlement over a reduction in Kat's screen time during season 2. Ferreira allegedly was unimpressed with her character's storyline, "prompting her to walk off set," but HBO was quick to shut these rumors down.

Barbie Sam Levinson Euphoria
Kevin Winter via Getty Images
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Fans witnessed her journey, watching her debut an edgier personal style while she embraced her sexuality. Ferreira put a lot of effort into developing Kat - but felt that it was time to let her go. She wrote in a cryptic Instagram story, "after 4 years of getting to embody the most special and enigmatic character Kat, I'm having to say a very teary-eyed goodbye… I put all my care and love into her, and I hope you guys could feel it. Love you Katherine Hernandez." Some fans weren't surprised by Ferreira's exit, as one exposed her character on Twitter from having "a whole episode about her to 4 lines in euphoria s2." More so, further claims mentioned "toxic working conditions," "failing to provide them meals on time and refusing to let people use the bathroom." Yet, co-star Jacob Elordi (a.k.a. Nate Jacobs), was quick to defend production. He emphasized the power of filmmaking, exposing the "great value in working hard."

During season 2, Euphoria became "HBO's second most-watched original series." Though Ferreira was promised "big changes" and had a considerable impact on viewers, this was clearly not enough to make her stay. While fans are itching for the series' next drop, the show will always have a missing piece now that Ferreira is gone. Stay tuned...

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