Zendaya dedicated her special Gotham Award to her mom.
The 28-year-old actress received the Spotlight Tribute at the Gotham Independent Film Awards on Tuesday (02.12.24), for her leading role as former tennis pro-turned-coach Tashi Duncan in Luca Guadagnino’s acclaimed romantic sports film ‘Challengers‘. The film has already generated significant awards season buzz, with critics praising its innovative approach to sports drama.
Zendaya – who also received a producer credit for the flick – thanked the many creatives and crew behind the blockbuster and gave a special shout-out to her mother, Claire Stoermer. This marks her first producer credit on a major motion picture, adding to her growing list of industry achievements.
“To my mom. My mom’s here tonight; she’s embarrassed,” she said, speaking onstage at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The historic venue has hosted the Gotham Awards since 2004, becoming a symbol of independent film celebration.
The ‘Euphoria’ star insisted that her part is just an “amalgamation of the beautiful ideas of the amazing, creative people around me.” Her role in the HBO series has already earned her two Emmy Awards, making her the youngest two-time lead acting winner in Emmy history.
“Without all of them, none of this is possible,” she continued. “So, really, I just have to say thank you to my community of filmmakers, producers, wardrobe, costumes, hair, and makeup. I mean, yes, I get to be up here, and I get to do it, but my character is only an amalgamation of the beautiful ideas of the amazing, creative people around me.” The film employed over 200 crew members during its production.
Zendaya – who spent three months training with a former tennis pro for the role – thanked the movie’s writer, Justin Kuritzkes, for “creating a bold and brilliant character like Tashi” and allowing her to take on the role. The intensive training included daily four-hour sessions and mastering professional tennis techniques.
Praising director Luca Guadagnino for his vision, she added: “To Luca, for bringing this thing to life for his, I mean, visionary eye, the way he sees character and humanness and is always so empathetic to all the characters.” Guadagnino is known for his unique directorial style, having previously earned acclaim for films like “Call Me by Your Name.”
Zendaya’s co-star, Josh O’Connor (Patrick Zweig), presented her with the prize and hailed her as a “generational talent.” O’Connor, known for his role in “The Crown,” spent two months preparing for the tennis sequences alongside Zendaya.
“You’re a born leader, a generational talent, a friend, and most importantly, a kind heart,” he said. The pair developed a strong working relationship during the film’s challenging three-month shoot.
Thanking him for his kind words, Zendaya quipped: “We hate giving each other compliments, so I’m going to get you back for that!” Their on-screen chemistry has been particularly praised by early reviewers.
The Gotham Awards have become known as an early predictor of Oscar success, with many winners going on to receive Academy Award nominations. ‘Challengers’ is already being discussed as a potential awards season contender, with Zendaya’s performance drawing particular attention.
The event marked another milestone in Zendaya’s remarkable career trajectory, which began with Disney Channel roles and has evolved to include major franchise films, critically acclaimed television series, and now independent cinema. Her work as both actor and producer on ‘Challengers’ represents a new chapter in her artistic development.
The evening’s celebration at Cipriani Wall Street brought together numerous independent film luminaries, with Zendaya’s tribute being one of the night’s highlight moments. The historic venue, known for its Renaissance revival architecture, provided a fitting backdrop for the celebration of independent cinema.
