Zendaya graces 'Essence' Magazine's 50th anniversary cover
Zendaya spoke to Essence about her history-making win and said that she remembers taking a deep breath and then hearing her name and her family screamed. "I was worried that if they kept screaming for too long, I wouldn't have any time to actually say anything —but I didn’t want to stop them, because they were having a great time. It was a very special night," she said, adding that it was something she will remember forever.
In her acceptance speech, Zendaya reminded everyone to believe in the youth today and she said that it was important to include that message because "it feels like a lot of the time, especially for young Black people, you're birthed into a system that's not built for you." She said that it's "on us" to take it from here and make it better, but "it's important to lean into hope and lean into the beautiful things" that she sees her peers doing through activism and art. Zendaya said that it's inspiring for her to watch and be a part of. "I wanted to speak to the power of that and let them know, what you're fighting for does mean something, and you are supported and seen," the Euphoria star added.
Zendaya admitted that she "felt weird" celebrating her Emmy win because "it was only a few days later that we heard that Breonna Taylor ruling, which was devastating." She said that Black women are "often told not to celebrate our victories," but she's been trying to learn more about Black women being gentle with themselves and how she can help with that.
When it comes to young Black Hollywood, Zendaya said that artists like Insecure (streaming now on Crave) creator Issa Rae and The Chi producer Lena Waithe are creating opportunities "that have resulted in more of us being in these rooms." She said that it's a special feeling and it's also "changing the idea that there can only be 'one at a time,' which is false."
One of the things that have brought Zendaya joy throughout the ongoing pandemic is the legendary collab of Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé on the "Savage Remix." Same Zendaya, same. She said that she's "never felt more joy from a song coming out" and added that seeing Black women win "in any form brings me joy." She kept that same energy for Rihanna's Savage X Fenty show and said that she was like, "You better, girl! Bad-gal Riri is giving us what we need right now!"
Zendaya's Essence cover shoot paid homage to Donyale Luna, the first Black supermodel. The actress explained that a lot of what she does "is a tribute to fashion icons who came before me —many of whom are Black women," adding that this is one of her favourite cover shoots that she's ever done.
When asked what her New Year's wish is for Black women, Zendaya said, "For us to continue to fully realize our power and harness it to do great things, because we are incredibly powerful. We're often convinced that we're not and taught to shrink —but we have to believe in our collective power. I always think of that Beyoncé song, “They’ll never take my power, my power, my power.” Let’s take that energy into the new year."
The November/December 2020 issue of Essence hits newsstands on November 24, and it's something we can look forward to while we patiently wait for the second season of Euphoria.
[video_embed id='2076479']BEFORE YOU GO: Baby has an adorable reaction to family's new puppy[/video_embed]
