Emmys 2020: Is Zendaya a 'legend in the making'? 'Euphoria' star becomes youngest lead actress drama winner

Zendaya also became the second Black actress to have won the award in this category. The first was won by Viola Davis in 2015 for 'How to Get Away with Murder'.
PUBLISHED SEP 21, 2020
Zendaya (Getty Images)
Zendaya (Getty Images)

This year’s Emmy is becoming unprecedented in every way possible. Actress Zendaya has created history by becoming the youngest lead actress Drama series winner. The 24-year-old won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama for her role as Rue in HBO’s ‘Euphoria’. She won the trophy in the category over Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh of ‘Killing Eve’, ‘Laura Linney of ‘Ozark’, Olivia Colman of ‘The Crown’, and Jennifer Aniston of ‘The Morning Show’. A user tweeted her picture winning Emmy this year while comparing it with the previous year. 



 

This is the first Emmy win for Zendaya. Her teen drama ‘Euphoria’ was nominated for five Emmys at this year’s ceremony. This included Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score), Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, Outstanding Music Supervision, Outstanding Contemporary Costumes, and Outstanding Contemporary Makeup (Non-Prosthetic). Zendaya also became the second Black actress to have won the award in this category. The first was won by Viola Davis in 2015 for 'How to Get Away with Murder'.

In her winning speech, she thanked her family and 'Euphoria' team and even those protesting this year. "I know this feels like a really weird time to be celebrating, but I just want to say that there is hope in the young people out there. I know that our TV show doesn’t always feel like a great example of that but there is hope in the young people. And I just want to say to all my peers out there doing the work in the streets, I see you, I admire you, I thank you, and yeah, thank you so, so much! This is—whoa, okay, thank you!"

As soon as she carved a niche for herself in the television world taking home the Emmy for the coveted category, the Internet showered Zendaya with praises. A user wrote, "ZENDAYA IS THE YOUNGEST WINNER IN THE HISTORY OF THE Emmys." Another wrote in her historical win, "ZENDAYA IS THE 2ND BLACK WOMAN TO EVER WIN IN THIS CATEGORY AND THE YOUNGEST BEST LEADING ACTRESS WINNER TOO Emmys 2020." A fan called her a 'legend in making' as they wrote, "Zendaya winning her first Emmy of many is just more proof that she is a legend in the making Emmys2020," while another wrote, "So happy for @Zendaya!! @euphoriaHBO is an outstanding show and her performance in it is absolutely phenomenal!! Well earned and deserved win!! #Emmys #Emmys2020." Another lauded her performance, saying, "So happy for Zendaya!! Euphoria HBO is an outstanding show and her performance in it is absolutely phenomenal!! Well earned and deserved to win! Emmys." An enamored fan wrote, "First off, Zendaya I think you’re so beautiful. I’m so ecstatic for your Emmy win. We are blessed with your presence to this earth and with your performance in your art. You were put on this Earth for a reason. Continue to kill it Queen." 



 



 



 



 



 


 

 


 

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