Phoenix 24
On the set of a cultural phenomenon, instinct takes center stage—Sam Levinson trusted Rosalía’s instincts over direction, and let her voice define the scene.
Los Angeles / Madrid, August 2025 – In a bold move that blends cross-disciplinary artistry, Sam Levinson, the showrunner of Euphoria, granted Rosalía remarkable creative freedom in her upcoming role. Known for her genre-defying music and powerful stage presence, the Spanish artist stepped into the complicated world of Euphoria—and Levinson made it clear from the outset that he wanted to let her instincts lead the way.
“I just love letting her run with a scene,” Levinson shared in a feature for Elle. “I let her play with the words, emotions, in English and Spanish. I never try to tell her what to do first, because her natural instincts are so fascinating, charismatic, and fun. In every scene we filmed, I sat behind the camera smiling.” In granting her that trust, he prioritized emotional authenticity above all.
Rosalía echoed that sentiment. Having honed her acting sensibility through flamenco—a tradition deeply rooted in theatrical expressiveness—she approaches the craft with a mindset “in the service of emotion, in the service of an idea, of something much larger than myself.” She described working alongside Hunter Schafer, Zendaya, and Alexa Demie as both enriching and collaborative, forming creative bonds that transcend language and background.
Sam Levinson admitió que le da libertad creativa a Rosalía durante las grabaciones de Euphoria (HBO)
This decision by Levinson opens up transformative artistic possibilities. It might be seen as an enhancement of Euphoria’s raw aesthetic, where the line between performer and person transforms. It could also serve as a disruption to conventional directing styles—reminding creators that trusting an artist’s instincts can lead to the most vivid storytelling. Alternatively, it may spark an artistic bifurcation: in one direction, storytellers embrace instinctive performance as their compass; in another, a more prescriptive directorial norm resists deviation.
Penélope Cruz recordó cómo fue grabar junto a Rosalía en ‘Dolor y gloria’. (Captura de video)
Beyond mere casting, the choice reflects a convergence of cultural forces: an international pop artist entering one of television’s most radical narratives, supported by a creator who values emotional intuition. In that space, boundaries dissolve, and storytelling becomes a dialogue between authenticity and expectation, grounded in trust, and nourished by freedom.
The Phoenix24 editorial team prepared this publication based on verifiable institutional sources, cultural analysis, and reflection on cross-genre creative exchange.
Esta pieza fue desarrollada por el equipo editorial de Phoenix24 con base en fuentes institucionales, análisis cultural y reflexión sobre el intercambio creativo entre géneros.