Disney-actress-turned-drama-star, Zendaya has made history by becoming the youngest actress to bag an Academy Award. The 24-year-old star of HBO’s “Euphoria” beat out acclaimed actresses like Jennifer Aniston and Laura Linney, becoming the youngest to win best lead actress in a drama.
The breathless actress, who was surrounded by a semicircle of teary-eyed supporters and wearing a crystal bandeau top with a billowing black-and-white polka-dot skirt, clearly had not prepared an acceptance speech, New York Times reports.
“This is pretty crazy,” Zendaya said as she clasped her hands over her statuette, as though hardly daring to believe it was real.
She beat out older counterparts Jennifer Aniston, Olivia Colman, Sandra Oh and Laura Linney to claim the crown — not to mention the incumbent winner, Jodie Comer, who set the record last year when she won for “Killing Eve” at age 26.
“Thank you to all of the other incredible women in this category,” Zendaya said. “I admire you so much.”
The actress said she was inspired by others her age who were working to make a difference in the world. “I just want to say that there is hope in the young people out there. And I just want to say to all our peers out there doing the work in the streets: I see you, I admire you, I thank you,” the actress said.
