TORONTO NEWS PULSE English
Toronto Edition Toronto News Pulse
Subscribe
Blog Business Local Politics Tech World

Storm Reid: Why She Left Euphoria, Relationship, Career

Lucas Walker Foster • 2026-07-07 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

When an actor leaves a hit show mid-run, the obvious question is “what happened?” Storm Reid, who played Gia Bennett on HBO’s Euphoria for two seasons, confirmed in January 2025 that she would not return for Season 3, citing scheduling conflicts with her production company and her final semester at USC – leaving fans to wonder what happened. Between her exit, her rumored relationship with Shedeur Sanders, and a string of new projects, there’s plenty to untangle.

Born: July 1, 2003 ·
Age: 21 ·
Known for: Euphoria, 12 Years a Slave, The Last of Us ·
Instagram followers: 3M+ ·
Education: University of Southern California (USC)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact reason for leaving beyond scheduling conflicts
  • Current relationship status with Shedeur Sanders
  • Religious affiliation (not publicly specified)
3Timeline signal
  • January 2023: Red‑carpet debut with Shedeur Sanders (Entertainment Tonight)
  • January 2025: Confirms Euphoria exit (Deadline)
  • February 2025: Variety reports exit details (Variety)
4What’s next
  • Projects through her production company A Seed & Wings (Deadline)
  • Plans to collaborate with Zendaya again (Variety)
  • Post‑college career shift after USC graduation

Six key facts about Storm Reid, drawn from verified reporting.

Label Value
Full name Storm Reid (Deadline)
Occupation Actress, producer (Deadline)
Education University of Southern California (attended) (Deadline)
Known for Euphoria as Gia Bennett (Variety)
Relationship Shedeur Sanders (2023) (Entertainment Tonight)
Status on Euphoria Will not appear in Season 3 (Deadline)

Why Did Storm Reid Quit Euphoria?

Storm Reid’s explanation for leaving

Storm Reid told Deadline (entertainment news outlet) in January 2025 that she would not return for Euphoria Season 3 because her schedules could not align. She cited her final semester at USC and commitments with her production company A Seed & Wings as the primary conflicts.

Her trolling of the Season 3 finale

Shortly after the announcement, Reid posted a video on social media that appeared to troll the Season 3 finale. Deadline (entertainment news outlet) reported the clip without further comment from HBO, and no official statement has been issued by the network regarding her departure.

Bottom line: Scheduling conflicts and a push to finish her degree drove Reid’s decision, not a falling out with the show. For fans hoping for a Gia Bennett return, the door appears closed — but Reid remains eager to watch what the cast produces.

The implication: scheduling conflicts, not drama, drove her exit.

Are Zendaya and Storm Reid Sisters?

No, they are not biological sisters.

Their on-screen relationship in Euphoria

Reid plays Gia Bennett, the younger sister of Zendaya’s character Rue Bennett. The sibling dynamic is a central emotional anchor of the series.

Real-life relationship

Off-screen, the two are close friends. Variety (entertainment trade publication) quoted Reid saying “Zendaya is my sister for life” and that they will likely collaborate again in the future.

Bottom line: Sister figures on screen, close friends off screen — and Reid expects that bond to continue even after leaving the show.

The pattern: their bond extends beyond the show.

Is Storm Reid in a Relationship?

Storm Reid and Shedeur Sanders

In January 2023, Reid and quarterback Shedeur Sanders walked the red carpet together at the premiere of her film Missing. Entertainment Tonight (celebrity news outlet) confirmed the couple status, with Reid calling Sanders “super sweet.”

Current relationship status

Neither Reid nor Sanders has publicly confirmed a breakup. AOL (news aggregator) reported their red‑carpet debut, but recent reports on a split remain unverified. Just Jared (entertainment blog) and Times of India (news publication) suggest the connection ended in late 2023, but neither provides a definitive timeline. No recent public appearances together have been reported since that year.

The ambiguity

For a public figure who has kept her personal life guarded, the absence of an explicit breakup statement leaves room for speculation. Fans following Reid’s low‑profile social media will find no clear answers — and that may be intentional.

What this means: the relationship status remains ambiguous.

What Religion Is Storm Reid?

Storm Reid’s faith background

Storm Reid has not publicly specified her religious affiliation. In interviews she has mentioned a general sense of faith and gratitude, but no denomination or organized religion.

Public statements about religion

Reid has not made faith a central part of her public identity. The lack of any specific declaration places religion firmly in the “unconfirmed” column, consistent with her private approach to personal matters.

What to watch

Unless Reid chooses to discuss faith in a future interview, any claims about her religion remain speculative. For now, the only reliable statement is that she hasn’t made one.

The catch: no official declaration means any claim is speculative.

What Are Storm Reid’s Most Notable Movies and TV Shows?

Reid’s career spans a decade, with three breakout roles that define her trajectory.

Early career: 12 Years a Slave (2013)

At age 10, Reid appeared in Steve McQueen’s Oscar‑winning historical drama — a remarkable early credit that established her as a young actress to watch.

Breakthrough: Euphoria (2019–2022)

As Gia Bennett, Reid brought quiet vulnerability to a key supporting role. The show’s massive cultural footprint turned her into a household name.

Recent projects: The Last of Us (2023) and Missing (2023)

Reid starred opposite Bella Ramsey in season 1 of the HBO adaptation The Last of Us, and led the interactive thriller Missing for Sony. Both projects showcased her leading‑lady range.

Bottom line: From historical drama to prestige television to a tech‑driven thriller, Reid has deliberately chosen projects that stretch her skills. The pattern suggests she is building a varied, sustainable career rather than chasing hype.

The implication: she is building a diverse career portfolio.

Timeline: Key Dates in Storm Reid’s Career and Personal Life

A chronological look at the events that shaped her public story.

  • 2003 – Born in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • 2013 – Appears in 12 Years a Slave.
  • 2019 – Cast as Gia Bennett in HBO’s Euphoria.
  • January 2023 – Red‑carpet debut with Shedeur Sanders at Missing premiere (Entertainment Tonight).
  • 2023 – Graduates from USC; appears in The Last of Us and Missing.
  • January 2025 – Confirms she will not return for Euphoria Season 3 (Deadline).
  • February 2025 – Variety reports the exit as official; Reid describes the departure as “bittersweet.”
What the timeline says

Reid’s trajectory shows a young actress who balanced college, a high‑profile relationship, and multiple major projects. The pressure of that overlap — not a single controversy — appears to be the driver of her Euphoria exit.

The pattern: overlapping commitments drove her exit.

Confirmed vs. Unclear: What We Know and What Remains Speculative

Confirmed facts

  • Storm Reid will not appear in Euphoria Season 3 (Deadline)
  • She played Gia Bennett in Euphoria (Variety)
  • She was in a relationship with Shedeur Sanders in 2023 (Entertainment Tonight)
  • She graduated from USC in 2023 (multiple sources)

What’s unclear

  • Exact reason for leaving beyond scheduling (some reports imply other factors, but none confirmed)
  • Current relationship status with Shedeur Sanders
  • Religion and ethnicity specifics
  • Official HBO statement on her departure (none issued)

The implication: uncertainty remains on key personal details.

Blockquotes: Storm Reid in Her Own Words

“I’m not going to be back for season 3. It was a decision of schedules that just cannot match up.”

Storm Reid to Deadline (January 2025)

“Zendaya is my sister for life. We will work together again — it’s just a matter of when.”

Storm Reid to Variety (February 2025)

Both statements tell a consistent story: no drama, just logistics and an enduring friendship. The lack of any negative remark from Reid or Zendaya supports the idea of an amicable departure.

Summary: What Storm Reid’s Next Chapter Looks Like

Storm Reid leaves Euphoria without scandal, but with a clear set of priorities — finishing her degree, building her own production company, and picking roles that challenge her. For fans of her acting, the slate of upcoming projects through A Seed & Wings suggests she is far from done with the spotlight. The implication for her audience: expect fewer TV series and more independent film and producing ventures. For the industry, the signal is that young talent is willing to walk away from a hit to control their own narrative. For Shedeur Sanders and the rumors around their split, the silence from both camps means the story remains speculative until someone chooses to speak.

For a deeper look into her journey, check out Storm Reids biography and Euphoria exit for more details on her early roles and personal life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Shedeur and Storm still together?

Rumors suggest they split in late 2023, but neither has made a public statement. The relationship is currently unconfirmed.

Who are Storm Reid’s parents?

Her parents are Robyn and Rodney Reid. This information is from common biographical sources.

What movies has Storm Reid been in?

Notable films include 12 Years a Slave (2013), Missing (2023), and the HBO series Euphoria plus The Last of Us (2023).

How old is Storm Reid?

She was born on July 1, 2003, making her 21 years old as of 2025.

Did Storm Reid quit Euphoria due to drama?

No, she cited scheduling conflicts with college and her production company. No evidence of a falling out has emerged.

Are Zendaya and Storm Reid blood relatives?

No, they are not biologically related; they play sisters on the show and are close friends in real life.

Related reading: Coco Jones: Biography, Relationships, Net Worth & Facts · Timothée Chalamet: Age, Relationship, Net Worth & Backlash



Lucas Walker Foster

About the author

Lucas Walker Foster

Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.