Don’t panic, but Zendaya just made Emmys history. Again. After showing up the entire red carpet in a classic Valentino gown, she won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Rue in the second season of Euphoria, making her the youngest-ever actress to win the award twice.
Zendaya was nominated for four Emmys tonight for her work on the second season of Euphoria: two for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics from songs she co-wrote for the show, one for producing, and one for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. In 2020, after the first season of Euphoria, she became the youngest-ever Emmy winner for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and her nominations alone this year made her the youngest two-time nominee in the category. Another superlative: She’s the youngest producer ever nominated.
The win isn’t exactly a surprise. Zendaya was widely praised for her performance this season, which included a heart-pounding episode that followed Rue through several heartbreaking hours of withdrawal after an intervention staged by her family and friends. The episode made her pretty much a shoo-in for this award. Accepting her Emmy, she thanked fans who have opened up to her about addiction during the show’s run. “My greatest wish for Euphoria was that it could help heal people,” she said. “Anyone who’s loved a Rue, or feel like they are a Rue, I want you to know that I’m grateful for your stories, and I carry them with me, and I carry them in her.”
This post has been updated.
