Barbie Ferreira Reflects on ‘Euphoria’ Exit and Kat Hernandez’s Legacy
The actress opens up about her time on the Emmy-winning series, her connection to Kat, and why stepping away felt like the right move.
Barbie Ferreira, best known for her role as Kat Hernandez in the first two seasons of Euphoria, is shedding light on the inspiration behind her character and the reasons she chose to step away from the hit HBO series. Speaking with People magazine about her upcoming Broadway debut in Cult of Love, Ferreira shared how her personal experiences shaped her portrayal of Kat and how the character still holds a special place in her heart.
Ferreira revealed that joining Euphoria at just 21 years old allowed her to bring a raw, personal touch to the role. “I brought a lot of my vulnerability and my own exploration of my sexuality,” she said. “It wasn’t too long before that I was in high school, so it was very raw and real. I got to bring a lot of my own experiences to it. I’m really happy that it read.”
Although Ferreira won’t reprise her role in the upcoming third season, she has imagined what Kat’s life might look like today. “I’m 27, so that means she would be 22, probably in college. Living it up. Probably less restless,” she mused. “Kat means a lot to me.”
Reflecting on her Euphoria experience, Ferreira described it as a transformative time in her career. “It was my first substantial acting job. I had little guest spots before, but this was where I really learned to be the actor I am today. It was so wonderful to have a character that was so dynamic and meant so much to so many people. I hold that very dear to my heart.”
Ferreira confirmed her departure from the show in August 2022, amidst reports of creative differences with showrunner Sam Levinson. On Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard, she elaborated that her exit was a mutual decision, driven by challenges in developing Kat’s storyline further. “I don’t think there was a place for her to go,” she admitted. “I really wanted to not be the fat best friend. I think both parties felt the same. I relate to Kat deeply, but Sam writes for what he relates to, and I had to follow my own path.”
While Ferreira felt conflicted about leaving, she ultimately believes it was the right choice. “It was hurtful to see fans upset, but it felt good to let go and move on,” she explained.
Despite her exit, Euphoria continues to move forward, with production on its long-awaited third season set to begin in January 2024. The returning cast, including Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Hunter Schafer, has been encouraged to explore other projects during the delay, keeping fans eager for what’s next in the high-stakes world of East Highland.
