Zendaya Just Won Her First Emmy—And Made History
Zendaya made history at the Emmys 2020. The actor took home the award for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for Euphoria, making her the youngest woman to ever snag the prize. (Zendaya is 24 years old.)
She was visibly moved during her speech, as were her fellow nominees (including Jennifer Aniston, who seemed to tear up). “There is hope in the young people out there,” Zendaya said, also shedding a few tears.
The loved ones she was celebrating with IRL couldn’t help but let out a rapturous applause both before and after her speech. That excitement was only mirrored on the internet. People were living for this win:
“It means so much to me. I admire every single woman in this category, so just to be mentioned in this category at all is something,” Zendaya said in the press room after winning her award. “That support is everything. I don’t usually cry, and I got through it without letting it take over completely, but it was a very emotional moment. I still can’t believe it myself. It’s pretty crazy.”
She continued, “It’s moments like this that we all have to all hold onto and cherish. I’m just grateful that my whole family is all here to celebrate with me and be here. I definitely felt this wrapping of love around me as I was sitting here. I’m just trying to take it all in and all the moments of joy and happiness that we do have.”
Of her Euphoria character, Ru, she said, “Ru, to me, is a full, whole human being, and she’s layered and complicated. And I think as the show goes on, we’re also able to empathize with addiction and what that does to a family and still root for Ru. I’m very grateful to [play] her. She’s very important to me. I care about her deeply.”
The Emmys 2020 took place virtually this year, but Zendaya still showed up and showed out with her looks:
“As my social platforms grew, I realized that my voice was so much more important than I had originally thought,” Zendaya told Glamour in 2017. “I think if every young person understood the power of their voice, things would be a lot different. And it’s becoming more popular to be outspoken.”
In that interview, Zendaya also opened up about who she’s inspired by. “I am inspired right now by people who use their platforms: If people know your name, they should know it for a reason,” she said. “I’m obviously inspired by my mother, and I have an obsession with Oprah. She’s someone who, even with everything stacked against her, has soared to unbelievable heights. If she wants to create a network, she can do it. She wants to produce a movie? She can do it. But then also there’s this level of realness to her. You feel like she’s your auntie.”
With this Emmys 2020 win, not to mention all the work she’s done over the last few years, Zendaya is now the one who’s an inspiration.
Originally Appeared on Glamour
