Not only did Euphoria
rise to global fame as the ultimate fan-favorite teen drama, but it also became a cultural powerhouse, breaking barriers with its diverse cast and authentic representation. Beyond shining a spotlight on themes like empowerment and mental health, the show transformed lives—both on-screen and off. For many actors, it was their breakout moment, and for Barbie Ferreira, it was a chance to infuse her own experiences into bringing Kat Hernandez to life.
Amidst the fever pitch of anticipation for Euphoria’s
third season, Ferreira strolled down the memory lane to explain how her personal journey shaped Kat’s story in more ways than one.
Did Barbie Ferreira leverage her personal experiences to play Kat in Euphoria?
Barbie Ferreira, who played Kat Hernandez in Euphoria’s
first two installments, recently shed light on her inspiration for her character on the show. In an enlightening conversation with the PEOPLE, Ferreira revealed how her journey
off-screen helped her bring Kat to HBO’s screen in a “real and raw”
way since she was in high school not so long ago. When the actor took the acting job, she was 21, and becoming part of Euphoria
brought was callback for many of her real-life experiences.
Barbie Ferreira at behind the scenes of Euphoria pic.twitter.com/8jOoQyLN3g
— best of barbie ferreira (rest) (@bestoferreira) December 15, 2019
Though Ferreira had officially bid farewell to the show
, she could not resist imagining Kat’s trajectory in a potential third chapter, if there was room for extension. She envisioned a 22-year-old Kat, now in college, hopefully trading her high-school restlessness for a bit more calm. Reflecting on the role, Ferreira shared how it allowed her to reconnect with the “vulnerability
” tied to exploring her own “se–ality.’
For her, Kat was more than a character, more of a cornerstone.
Read More: Every Reason Why ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 Will Have A 4-Year Gap from Season 2
As her first major acting role, it holds a special place in her heart, leaving her with nothing but gratitude in hindsight.
Barbie Ferreira highlights the importance of Euphoria despite her departure from the show
In her recent conversation with PEOPLE discussing her Broadway debut in Cult of Love
, opening on December 12, Barbie Ferreira spent much of the time looking back at Euphoria
. Although she will not reprise as Kat Hernandez in the long-delayed third installment, Ferreira swelled with pride that her character reached people and became relevant to them. “Kat means a lot to me too,”
the actor added, reminiscing about her “wonderful experience”
with the show, character, cast, and crew.
Barbie Ferreira on her ‘Euphoria’ character:
“I was very young. I was 21. I brought a lot of my vulnerability and my own exploration of my own sexuality.” pic.twitter.com/HtGB7LSZCz
— Complex (@Complex) December 7, 2024
According to Ferreira, although she had done “little guest spots”
for other shows and projects, she considers playing Kat her “first acting job.”
The role not only borrowed from her but also taught her how to be an actor, since the character was abundantly “dynamic
” with a lot to offer. All she hopes is that she did justice to Kat, as looking back at it leaves her feeling nothing but gratitude.
Read More: Fans Do a 180° From Anticipation Over Storm Reid’s Upsetting ‘Euphoria’ Update
What do you think of Barbie Ferreira’s personal connection to Euphoria’s
Kat Hernandez? Let us know in the comments below!
