There were several memorable and groundbreaking achievements during the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards. With her two wins as the Lead actress, Zendaya made history as the first black woman to do so. She earned the award for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her performance as Rue in the critically acclaimed HBO series Euphoria this year. To this day, the actress is just the second black woman to take home the trophy in this category.
While Zendaya has been one of the most talked-about newcomers in recent years because of her roles in critically acclaimed films like Jon Watts’ Spider-Man trilogy, Dune, and The Greatest Showman, her breakthrough performance comes in the critically acclaimed film Euphoria.
As a character, Rue has a lot going on: she’s hilarious, endearing, motivating, flawed in sad ways, and so on. The last 2 seasons of the show have been elevated by Zendaya’s outstanding performance in the part. In particular, the most recent season had some extremely taxing scenes for Rue as she continued to fight her addictions, which also drove a wedge between her and her loved ones. In the same vein, Zendaya praised viewers of the programme for speaking out about how Rue has helped them recover in a moving address. That’s a major factor in the show’s widespread appeal. Despite the series’ occasionally exaggerated tone, Euphoria is ultimately a coming-of-age narrative that promotes healing in a way that is universally accessible.
Recovering from the wounds we’ve inflicted on ourselves, both physically and emotionally. Zendaya’s portrayal allows us to see so much of ourselves mirrored back at us, even if we can’t identify with Rue’s exact addiction. Zendaya is a unique emotional force thanks to her ability to convey vulnerability with an easy air. On the other hand, that’s only the story side of things. What Zendaya has achieved in terms of representation is so significant because it has real-world implications. The actress has already given many moving performances in her brief career, and the attention she gives to her character Rue is much appreciated by viewers. As of today, Zendaya has a perfect 2-0 record with Euphoria.
Perhaps it is too soon to tell, but with Season 3 on the horizon, this phenomenal performer could be in line for a third Lead Actress Emmy. Since its release in 2019, Euphoria has been widely regarded as one of the finest teen dramas ever produced, owing much to its gorgeous cinematography, emotionally complex script, and stellar performances. Having Zendaya, who became an executive producer in the show’s second season, and her historic tenure as Rue contributes greatly to the show’s gleaming success. Zendaya’s award-winning performance in the first two seasons of Euphoria is currently available to view in its entirety on HBO Max.