Zendaya dedicates special Gotham Award to her mom
Zendaya was honoured with the Spotlight Tribute prize at the 2024 Gotham Independent Film Awards.
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'.
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.
Speaking onstage at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, she said: “To my mom. My mom's here tonight; she's embarrassed."
The 'Euphoria' star insisted that her part is just an "amalgamation of the beautiful ideas of the amazing, creative people around me."
She said: "Without all of them, none of this is possible.
"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."
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.
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."
Zendaya's co-star, Josh O'Connor (Patrick Zweig), presented her with the prize and hailed her as a "generational talent".
He said: "You're a born leader, a generational talent, a friend, and most importantly, a kind heart."
Thanking him for his kind words, Zendaya quipped: "We hate giving each other compliments, so I'm going to get you back for that!"
