Sydney Sweeney is no longer just one of Hollywood’s fastest-rising stars; she is now making pay cheques that place her among television’s elite. As the buzz around the ongoing Euphoria season three continues to build, news of Sweeney’s enormous salary for the HBO hit has captured major attention across the entertainment world. From breakout success to blockbuster earnings- the actress’ latest payday underscores how valuable she has become in Hollywood’s streaming era. 

Despite starring in one of HBO’s biggest breakout dramas, Sydney Sweeney once admitted that she was struggling financially early in her Hollywood rise. 

Variety reported that each episode of the first season of Euphoria cost about $11 million to make. Sydney Sweeney reportedly made $25,000 per episode for season one of Euphoria and then $350,000 for her work on season two. However, she did not think it was enough. 

In a 2022 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sweeney discussed the financial pressures of being in Hollywood. She also said that she could not afford to take a six-month break because she did not have a financial safety net or someone to pay her bills. She further said that actors are not paid the way they used to be and that streaming platforms have cut dramatically into residual income. 

“The established stars still get paid, but I have to give 5 percent to my lawyer, 10 percent to my agents, 3 percent or something like that to my business manager,” she added. “I have to pay my publicist every month, and that’s more than my mortgage. If I just acted, I wouldn’t be able to afford my life in Los Angeles. I take [brand] deals because I have to.” 

However, Sweeney also experienced a big salary increase later. This came after she became one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood, following the success of Euphoria. Sweeney’s reported season three salary makes her one of the highest-paid young performers on television. 

Her growing Hollywood fame, along with several successful projects, likely helped her secure an estimated $800,000 per episode, as per Film Shrine. That rise followed starring roles in films, endorsements, and production deals that raised her profile. Additionally, Sweeney's role as Cassie Howard continues to be one of the show's most-discussed storylines.  

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As Sydney Sweeney’s reported salary skyrockets, fellow Euphoria stars are also reportedly earning massive paychecks for the long-awaited new season. 

Zendaya is still the highest-paid star of Euphoria ahead of season three. This was after her Emmy-winning role as Rue Bennett and her increasing dominance in Hollywood. Sources say the Emmy-winning star is making approximately $1 million an episode for Season 3. 

On the other hand, Jacob Elordi got a huge salary bump for Euphoria season three as his Hollywood career took off far beyond the HBO drama. The actor is climbing the ladder of global stardom with films such as Saltburn, Priscilla, and Frankenstein. He is now said to take home about $700,000 per episode for his role as Nate Jacobs.

Meanwhile, from struggling with Hollywood finances to reportedly earning hundreds of thousands per episode, Sydney Sweeney’s rise reflects just how dramatically her career has evolved since Euphoria first premiered. As anticipation for season three continues to grow, the show’s blockbuster salaries highlight the enormous cultural impact Euphoria has had on the entertainment industry. 

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Do you think Euphoria stars deserve these massive reported salaries for season three? Let us know in the comments.