Emmys 2020: Zendaya Makes History as Youngest Drama-Actress Winner

 

Zendaya is officially an Emmy winner. At Sunday night’s awards ceremony, the 24-year-old picked up the lead-actress-in-a-drama statuette for her turn in Euphoria, pulling off a surprise win over nominees like Olivia Colman (The Crown) and Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show)—both of whom were leading predictions in the category. She also cemented herself in the history books by becoming the youngest winner ever in her category.

“This is pretty crazy!” Zendaya said in her acceptance speech, delivered at home with family and friends. “To the incredible cast and crew of Euphoria…I’m inspired by everything you do. To [show creator and director] Sam Levinson, I appreciate you so much, you’re my family.”

The actor also nodded to the surreal, charged times we’re living through in the midst of the pandemic. “This feels like a really weird time to be celebrating. There is hope in the young people out there…to all my peers out there doing the work, I see you I admire you….thank you.”

Zendaya was nominated in her category against Colman, Aniston, Laura Linney, Sandra Oh, and Jodie Comer. The actor stars in the HBO series Euphoria, a stylized, no-holds-barred drama about the life of Rue, a high school girl trying to recover from drug addiction. It’s a tour-de-force performance by Zendaya, who first made a name for herself as a Disney Channel star a decade ago. She’s since become a high-profile actor, starring in films like hit musical The Greatest Showman and the current Spider-Man franchise.