Hunter Schafer, ‘Euphoria,’ and the Composer’s Public Break: A Hit Show Faces a New Rift

hunter schafer is among the breakout names tied to Euphoria, but the series is now confronting a different kind of spotlight: its longtime composer Labrinth has publicly distanced himself from the show and declared he is “done with this industry, ” while also targeting Columbia Records, the label that releases the soundtrack.

What did Labrinth say, and who did he target?

Musician Labrinth—who composed the score and contributed songs for the first two seasons of Euphoria—posted a strongly worded message on Instagram on Friday attacking both the series and Columbia Records, and ending with the statement: “I’m out. Thank you and good night. ” Another account of the post describes it as an expletive-filled rant directed at Euphoria and the label.

What remains unknown is central to the story: Labrinth did not disclose what triggered the rupture. It is also unclear whether music he composed for the forthcoming third season still features in the new episodes.

Requests for comment were directed to representatives for Labrinth, and to HBO and Columbia Records for responses. At the time of those outreach efforts, no further public clarification was included in the available information.

Where does Hunter Schafer fit in as Euphoria heads into season three?

Euphoria, launched in 2019, follows the lives of US teenagers and includes storylines built around themes such as drugs, sex, and identity. The series is widely credited with boosting or launching several young stars who later became major Hollywood names, including Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, and Hunter Schafer.

That context matters because the dispute is not happening in a vacuum. The show’s music has been treated as part of its identity, and the score has been a defining creative element alongside performances from its cast. If the status of Labrinth’s season-three music is unresolved, it creates a question mark around a component that has been publicly praised for shaping the series’ atmosphere.

The third season is described as an eight-episode run set to launch on 12 April (ET). The plot is set to include a time jump, with characters no longer in high school. The new season has also been teased publicly in connection with Paris Fashion Week, where Labrinth appeared alongside series creator Sam Levinson as footage from the upcoming season was teased.

What’s the significance of Hans Zimmer joining—and the unanswered question about the new score?

One of the clearest markers of how seriously the production treats its music came last year, when HBO announced it had recruited Hans Zimmer to compose for the forthcoming third season alongside Labrinth. Both men had publicly welcomed the pairing at the time.

In July 2025 (ET), Labrinth publicly framed Zimmer’s involvement as a creative step forward, calling it “another chapter” and saying it was “so great to join Hans. ” Zimmer, in return, praised Labrinth, saying Labrinth’s music had shaped the show’s identity and expressing interest in contributing to and helping shape the new season through music.

That history sharpens the contradiction now facing the production: a composer who previously celebrated the collaboration later delivered a public, hostile message aimed at the series and the soundtrack label—without offering an explanation. In practical terms, the dispute leaves two key uncertainties unresolved: whether the season-three score remains intact as originally conceived, and whether the relationship between Labrinth and the show can be repaired—or is already beyond repair.

In a separate detail underlining Labrinth’s importance to the franchise, his work on Euphoria included the song “All For Us, ” which became a chart hit and earned him an Emmy Award. The same song is referenced as the basis for his Emmy win for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics in 2020.

For viewers, and for the show’s public-facing creative brand, the open question is simple: can Euphoria maintain continuity in tone and sound if a key architect of its musical identity is publicly repudiating the project—at the moment it is preparing to return? As the season-three launch approaches in ET terms, the story is now less about a single social post than about what the silence around the underlying cause suggests for a production already in motion—one whose cast includes hunter schafer.