With the premiere of season two of the critically acclaimed HBO series Euphoria, the controversy surrounding Alexa Demie’s age has reemerged. Her age was originally trending back in 2019, after a fan tweeted out a series of pictures of Demie across the last decade, with the caption “she has lived a thousand lives.” Soon after, a photo of the John Marshall high school 2008 alumni list, which included Demie’s name, was released. Fans were confused because it was reported that Demie was actually 24, despite the alumni list revealing that Demie would be around 30. This ultimately became a meme, with many users across social media platforms poking fun at the controversy. Demie has yet to address the debate or confirm her age.

Many fans, particularly on Twitter, quickly came to Demie’s defense, citing that even if she is 30, she isn’t much older than her fellow castmates—most of whom are in their early twenties. Some users even argued that if she did lie about her age, it should not matter, as other actresses have made the same decision, taking ageism into account. Rebel Wilson notably did the same, facing similar controversy.

The points made in defense of Demie are incredibly valid. The controversy surrounding Demie shouldn’t be rooted in any ageist arguments against her ability to act in Euphoria specifically. However, what should cause concern is the possibility that Demie was in her mid-twenties when she filmed a sex scene with then 13-year-old Sunny Suljic in the 2018 film Mid90s. In said scene, Demie proceeds to make out with Suljic and take off her clothes. In a Dazed interview, Demie addresses the age difference, only saying, “I had a lot of anxiety about that (at first) because obviously there’s somewhat of an age difference between Sunny and I. But he is just so cool, and it felt very comfortable and safe.”

If Demie really is in her thirties, then it is dangerously misleading to classify the age gap as “somewhat of an age difference.” She would have been double his age. Even if Demie is telling the truth, she would have been 20 while filming, which is still a considerable age difference, especially since Suljic was a minor.

Even so, some still argue that the filming of the scene is not predatory because it is acting, merely pretend. But where do we draw the line? To film and execute the scene, Demie had to actually kiss and expose herself to a young boy. In that regard, I find it to be quite inappropriate that Demie would agree to shoot this scene—especially if the claim that she is lying about her age is substantiated. Moreover, I find her response troubling, as she accredits Suljic with making her feel comfortable. Suljic should have been prioritized in that regard. He is a child, and she is a grown woman.

Though Suljic has never put out a statement saying he was uncomfortable during shooting, we need to recognize the possibility of damage that could be caused on a subconscious level. A 13-year-old boy, no matter how outwardly mature, is simply not mentally developed enough to be put in a sexual situation with an adult woman—acting or not.

There needs to be acknowledgment of what people could be doing on set, watching and directing these scenes. This is not an accusatory statement directed towards anyone in specific, but rather a legitimate concern that industry workers and viewers alike need to take into consideration. Children in Hollywood need to be protected, especially as we have seen repeatedly over time that, behind closed doors, this is not always the case. Corey Feldman, former ‘80s teen heartthrob, has spoken about the industry extensively, citing sexual abuse as its biggest issue.

Refusing to acknowledge the root of the issue concerning Demie’s age plays into the false narrative that young boys cannot be taken advantage of, and that women cannot engage in predatory behavior.

As a Latina-identifying woman myself, I was excited to see someone like Alexa Demie on-screen, showcasing our beauty and power. However, I am disappointed in how little this is spoken about because of those exact qualities that she exhibits. Demie should still be held accountable, even if she does not fit the stereotype of those we might be more eager to call out or “cancel.”

Why Alexa Demie's Age Actually Matters