Zendaya Won The Emmy For Lead Actress In A Drama Series, Making Her The Youngest Double Acting-Winner In That Category

Last night, Zendaya won the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her performance as Rue in the bonkers second season of Euphoria. This is the 26-year-old’s second time winning the award, which makes her the youngest evah two-time acting winner. But wait, there’s more! It’s also the first time a Black woman has won twice in that category. In her acceptance speech, Zendaya thanked her friends, family, and controversial Euphoria showrunner Sam Levinson for creating a “safe space” on set. Um, Barbie Ferriera and the actresses who felt pressured to show their boobs would like a word.

Here’s exactly what Zendaya said, via Deadline:

When the actress took to the stage, she shared that she was “honored to be beside” the “incredible actresses” in her category, then going on to thank Euphoria‘s cast and crew. “Thank you for making such a safe space to make this very difficult show. I love you all so much,” said Zendaya. “Thank you to the Academy, thank you to my friends and family, some of which are here tonight. Thank you to Sam [Levinson] for sharing Rue with me. Thank you for believing in me, even in moments where I didn’t believe in myself.”

Zendaya went on to add that her “greatest wish for Euphoria was that it could help heal people,” thanking those who have shared their stories, in the vein of her character’s, with her. “Anyone who has loved a Rue, or feels like a Rue, I want you to know that I’m so grateful for your stories, and I carry them with me, and I carry them with her,” she said. “So, thank you very much.”

If you haven’t seen Euphoria, Zendaya’s character, Rue, is a teen who struggles with drug addiction. Rue fell off the wagon at the end of the first season, and in the second season, she spirals and hits rock bottom. Here’s Zendaya’s speech:

People reports that Zendaya’s strapless black ball gown was Valentino. She paired the look with Bulgari jewelry and retro bouffant hair tied back with a black satin headband:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CibKsi2Lay9/?hl=en

zendaya, the woman you are. pic.twitter.com/ms9ZaayJBc

— imaan (@dayapeters) September 12, 2022

Zendaya wisely submitted the episode “Stand Still Like The Hummingbird” for Emmy consideration. That’s the one where Rue’s mom confronts her about her relapse and tries to get her to rehab. But Rue runs away and gets into all sorts of wacky (read: increasingly horrifying) hijinks:

we all knew that emmy was hers when we saw this scene like c’mon pic.twitter.com/LgDZGgzEt9

— HEEDlE (@heyheedie) September 13, 2022

Suck on that, Giuliana Rancic!

Pic: YouTube