Nika King joked about struggling to pay rent amidst the lengthy Euphoria hiatus and took a playful and seemingly heartfelt jab at Zendaya’s absence.
Nika, who plays Leslie Bennet, Zendaya’s on-screen mother in Euphoria, reportedly said she hasn’t been able to pay her rent amidst the stop-and-go production schedule for the series.
Earlier this week, the mom to “Rue Bennet” posted a clip showing her doing some standup comedy, where she delivered a joke to a live audience that reflected her current real-life struggles.
The comedian humorously explained that people kept asking her when Season 3 of the hit HBO show would air, to which she replied, “I don’t f*****g know.”
Nika King joked about financial struggles during the Euphoria hiatus, playfully referencing Zendaya's absence
Image credits: HBO
She went on to reveal that people kept telling her that they “needed season 3,” to which she quipped: “B***h, I need season 3. I haven’t paid my rent in six months.”
Nika turned the conversation to her on-screen daughter: "And Zendaya’s over in Paris, at fashion week, and I’m like, 'B***h, come home! I need you, mama need[s] you.'"
The actress continued to joke about her professional situation, saying she hadn’t booked an acting gig since Euphoria.
Image credits: HBO
“I thought my career was on the rise,” Nika exclaimed. “I thought after Euphoria, I was good.”
The one-woman show went on to crack a joke about a phone call with actress Taraji P. Henson, who told her to “get used to it.”
Nika might as well start negotiating with her landlord now because, according to Elle, the third season of the show won’t come out before next year.
Nika King expressed disappointment about her career post-Euphoria and joked about advice from Taraji P. Henson
Image credits: Nika King
Following the writer’s strike, the new season was pushed back and is now likely to air in 2025 at the earliest. “We can’t start shooting,” Francesca Orsi, vice president of HBO, explained in an official statement.
Zendaya will reportedly return as Rue and once again star alongside Hunter Schafer (Jules), Jacob Elordi (Nate), Alexa Demie (Maddy), Algee Smith (Chris), Sydney Sweeney (Cassie), Maude Apatow (Lexi), Storm Reid (Gia), Nika King (Leslie), Austin Abrams (Ethan), and Colman Domingo (Ali).
Image credits: Nika King
The sudden death of actor Angus Cloud, who portrayed Fezco O’Neill, at the age of 25 in July 2023, will reportedly reconfigure season three’s storyline.
As per Elle, Fez was arrested at the end of season two after being accidentally shot by his younger brother Ashtray (Javon Walton).
"She has a lovely landlord," a person quipped
