Zendaya accepts her second Primetime Emmy for Best Actress in Drama Series. Image Source: NME
Zendaya won her second Emmy.
The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards were held on September 12 at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, where actress Zendaya won her second Emmy in the category of Best Actress in a Drama Series for portraying Rue Benette on HBO’s Euphoria. Zendaya won the Best Actress in a Drama Series for Euphoria in 2020 as well. With winning the award, she becomes the first Black woman to win the Emmy for lead actress in a drama series twice.
The actress was presented the award by Kelly Clarkson and, during her acceptance speech, went on to compliment all the other contenders who were nominated alongside her, which included Jodie Comer for Killing Eve, Sandra Oh for Killing Eve, Laura Linney for Ozark, Melanie Lynskey for Yellowjackets, and Reese Witherspoon for The Morning Show.
Zendaya said during her acceptance speech that the award means so much to her and added that she feels incredibly honored to be nominated alongside some incredible actresses in the category. The actress said a massive thank you to the incredible cast and crew of Euphoria and mentioned thank you for making and allowing them to be a part of a show that is difficult yet a very safe space.
Zendaya continued to thank the Academy, her friends, family, and creator of the show, Sam Levinson for sharing Rue with her and believing in her even in moments when she did not believe in herself. Lastly, the actress said that she simply wants to express her gratitude to everyone who has shared their tale with her and let them know that she is appreciative of their stories. She wishes that their show Euphoria could may help in people's healing.
The actress concluded that she carries those stories within her and with her. After the show, Zendaya spoke to Entertainment Tonight and shared how grateful and honored she feels to have accepted the award for portraying Rue Bennett. She said that the award is very special for her and she feels honored to be acknowledged for something that she is proud of and Rue means the world to her. Zendaya has previously expressed that playing Rue Bennett on-screen means to her and she keeps that character very close to her heart and wishes that people would actually find a way to ask for help if needed and heal from witnessing the show.
Zendaya said she is pleased that so many people working behind the scenes are receiving praise for their cinematography and editing because she thinks they deserve it much. After all, every single person engaged in the production gave it their all to make the program what it is today. Kevin Frazier asked the actress about Tom Holland and why he was he not given a shout out as she accepted the award, to which she said that he’s a part of her loved ones. In an interview she mentioned that she texted her 'boyfriend' after she won the award but clarified it would have been her mum but she was already there to witness her special moment.
For her major performance in the HBO series, Zendaya received her second Emmy nomination, making her the youngest actor to get both a nomination and a victory in the category of acting. The actress also serves as an executive producer on the show in which she stars as Rue Bennett who is a drug addict in recovery. Zendaya spoke to Vanity Fair at the time and had expressed that when the nominations for Emmys 2022 were announced, she felt overwhelmed with the love and support the show got and above all their work was recognized. She said at the time that it was insane to know that the show, which means so much to her and so much to everyone who makes it, is getting so much love and recognition.
Zendaya added that people put their absolute heart and soul into the show, and she is very lucky to share this journey with all of them. The actress at the time said that she had already talked to so many people on FaceTime, and she had a lot more texts to send out. But she is so proud of their team and the work they do together. She is very, very proud of the show.
In addition to receiving nominations for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series and outstanding supporting actress in a limited series or movie for her performance in The White Lotus, Zendaya's co-star Sydney Sweeney also received praise for her contributions to the show.
Congratulations!
