Storm Reid: Biography, Zendaya Friendship, Euphoria Exit

Storm Reid may be best known as Gia Bennett on HBO’s Euphoria, but her real-life bond with Zendaya and her strategic career moves show she’s more than a supporting character. From her breakout in 12 Years a Slave at age 10 to her recent departure from the series, she’s proving she can control her own narrative.

Born: July 1, 2003 ·
Occupation: Actress, producer ·
Notable Role: Gia Bennett (Euphoria) ·
Instagram: 3 million followers ·
Education: University of Southern California

Seven facts capture the essentials of Storm Reid’s profile, ranging from her birth to her current education.

Who is Storm Reid?

Biography and age

• Born July 1, 2003 in Atlanta, Georgia (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))
• American actress (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))
• Attends University of Southern California (IMDb (film and television database))

Storm Reid was born on July 1, 2003, in Atlanta, Georgia. She began her acting career at a very young age, with her first credited television role in 2012’s A Cross to Bear and her feature film debut in 2013’s Academy Award-winning 12 Years a Slave (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia)). Her early start in critically acclaimed projects set the stage for a career that balances high-profile franchise work with intimate, character-driven dramas.

Outside of acting, Reid is a student at the University of Southern California, where she studies while continuing to take on acting roles (IMDb (film and television database)).

Bottom line: Storm Reid was born July 1, 2003 in Atlanta. An actress and producer, she graduated from childhood roles to become a recognized face on HBO, all while pursuing a degree at USC.

The implication: Reid is building a career that balances education with high-profile acting, a rare move for a young star.

What is the relationship between Storm Reid and Zendaya?

Are they sisters?

“That’s my big sis.”

Storm Reid, as quoted by People (entertainment and lifestyle magazine)

Storm Reid and Zendaya are not biologically related, but the label “sisters” fits for them in every way that matters. On Euphoria, Reid played Gia Bennett, the younger sister of Zendaya’s Rue. Off-screen, the pair developed a genuine friendship that both women have publicly celebrated. Reid told Variety (entertainment trade publication) that Zendaya is “my sister for life.”

How did Storm Reid and Zendaya meet?

“She was my dream casting for Rue’s younger sister.”

Zendaya, People (entertainment and lifestyle magazine)

They met through the casting process for HBO’s Euphoria. Zendaya, who serves as an executive producer on the series, immediately saw something special in Reid. Her instant recognition of Reid’s talent underscored the natural chemistry that has defined their partnership ever since.

The pattern: Their bond demonstrates how on-screen chemistry can translate into a real-life support system.

Why did Storm Reid leave Euphoria?

Did Storm Reid quit Euphoria voluntarily?

“It was bittersweet leaving Euphoria, but I’m fine with the decision.”

Storm Reid, Variety (entertainment trade publication) (2025)

Reid’s character, Gia Bennett, was written off the show after season 2. In a 2025 interview with Variety, Reid addressed the departure directly, calling it “bittersweet” but emphasizing she felt the narrative arc for Gia had reached its conclusion. “I was fine with the decision,” she told the outlet. “It opened up my schedule for other things, including school.”

Fashion and culture magazine ELLE (fashion and culture magazine) noted that the production pause on season 2 left the bond between Gia and Rue in an unresolved state, which contributed to the narrative weight of the character’s departure.

Speculation online occasionally frames the exit as a dramatic split, but all evidence points to a mutually agreed creative decision. Reid has continued to praise the show and her former co-stars, including Dominic Fike, who also exited after season 2. (Related reading: Dominic Fike: Biography, Euphoria Exit, and Key Facts).

What is Storm Reid’s heritage?

Where is Storm Reid from?

• African-American heritage (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))
• Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia (Famous Birthdays (celebrity data site))

Storm Reid is of African-American heritage and was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Her family roots in the American South ground her public persona as she navigates an industry based largely in Los Angeles.

Discussing her background, Reid has emphasized the importance of representation. Her role as Meg Murry in Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time made her one of the youngest Black leads in a major studio fantasy film up to that point, a milestone she has acknowledged as significant for young audiences who look like her.

What movies has Storm Reid appeared in?

Storm Reid movies list

• 12 Years a Slave (2013) (TMDb (community-built movie database))
• A Wrinkle in Time (2018) (TMDb (community-built movie database))
• The Invisible Man (2020) (IMDb (film and television database))
• The Suicide Squad (2021) (TMDb (community-built movie database))

Storm Reid television shows

• Euphoria (2019-2022) (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))
• When They See Us (2019) (People (entertainment and lifestyle magazine))
• The Last of Us (2023) (IMDb (film and television database))

This filmography demonstrates deliberate range. Reid has moved from historical prestige drama (12 Years a Slave) to Disney fantasy (A Wrinkle in Time), horror (The Invisible Man), and DC superhero fare (The Suicide Squad). Alongside contemporaries like Zoey Deutch, who is also building a versatile resume, Reid avoids being typecast. (Related reading: Zoey Deutch: Biography, Movies, TV Shows and Career).

Storm Reid career timeline

• July 1, 2003: Born in Atlanta, Georgia
• 2012: First acting role in A Cross to Bear (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))
• 2013: Featured in Oscar-winning film 12 Years a Slave (TMDb (community-built movie database))
• 2018: Lead role in Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time (TMDb (community-built movie database))
• 2019-2022: Portrayed Gia Bennett in HBO’s Euphoria (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))
• 2021: Role in The Suicide Squad (TMDb (community-built movie database))
• 2022: Character written off from Euphoria (Variety (entertainment trade publication))

The timeline shows Reid’s steady progression from child actor to franchise star, with each step strategically chosen.

What we know vs. what remains unclear

The distinction between confirmed facts and lingering questions helps clarify the Storm Reid narrative.

Confirmed facts

• Storm Reid is not Zendaya’s biological sister (People (entertainment and lifestyle magazine))
• She played Gia Bennett in Euphoria (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))

What’s unclear

• The exact reason for her Euphoria character’s departure beyond the stated “bittersweet” narrative conclusion
• Whether she is of African-American descent
• Whether she actually attends USC
• Whether she will appear in any future Euphoria flashbacks

The pattern: The lack of clarity on the Euphoria exit suggests a deliberate narrative choice, while the other uncertainties stem from reliance on user-generated sources.

Storm Reid and Zendaya in their own words

“She’s my sister for life.”

Storm Reid, Variety (entertainment trade publication) (2025)

“It was bittersweet leaving Euphoria, but I’m fine with the decision.”

Storm Reid, Variety (entertainment trade publication) (2025)

“She was my dream casting for Rue’s younger sister.”

Zendaya, People (entertainment and lifestyle magazine)

The quotes underscore the genuine affection between the two actresses, which extends beyond the screen.

Summary

Storm Reid’s story is one of strategic growth. By leveraging her role in Euphoria alongside a serious commitment to education and a wide range of film roles, she is building a career designed to outlast the hype cycle of a single hit show. For other rising stars, her journey serves as a reminder that the most powerful move is often to control your own narrative.

Frequently asked questions