Prior to this year’s 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, it was all but certain that Zendaya, nominated again for lead actress in a drama series for her portrayal of “Rue” on the hit show “Euphoria,” would leave us in awe with an iconic red-carpet fashion moment. By the end of the night, the actress delivered two stunning looks and took home her second Emmy. 

The win makes Zendaya the only black woman to win two Emmys in the category. At the age of 26, she is also the youngest two-time winner for a leading role. It comes after she took home the same award in 2020 for the same role. 

It should come as no surprise to anyone that Zendaya made history, and looked absolutely incredible while doing it. The actress accepted her award in an elegant, handmade Valentino ballgown. The gown was made in a week after Law Roach, Zendaya’s longtime stylist, said his inspiration for the look came to him in a dream. 

Roach told Vogue the strapless black gown was inspired by Old Hollywood movies, the actress Grace Kelly and runway model Linda Evangelista. Soft, voluminous curls held back by a sleek black hair ribbon, paired with natural, glowy makeup, completed Zendaya’s first winning look. 

“The second Emmy deserves a second dress,” wrote Roach in an Instagram video of Zendaya posing for photos on the HBO after-party red carpet in yet another elegant Valentino look. This time, the actress rocked a bright red, floor length gown that rested just off her shoulders and featured a plunging neckline. Zendaya wore her hair in a simple, sleek low bun and subtle silver jewelry, looking radiant as she smiled and held her newest award. 

 In her acceptance speech, Zendaya,  who is also an executive producer of the HBO series, expressed her ongoing hopes to heal others through her portrayal of Rue.

“Lastly, I just want to say, my greatest wish for Euphoria was that it could help heal people, and I just want to say thank you to everyone who shared their story with me,” Zendaya said. “I want you to know that anyone who has loved a Rue, or feels like you are a Rue, I’m so grateful for your stories and I carry them with me and carry them with her. Thank you so much.”

Zendaya’s portrayal of “Rue” makes it impossible not to emphasize with an incredibly flawed character. When she screams hateful insults at devastated friends and family, we desperately hope they will forgive her. When she breaks into a house and steals valuables in an attempt to repay debts to the drug lord Laurie, we hope she can evade the consequences of her crimes.

Still, Zendaya as “Rue” is heartbreakingly honest. The show embraces the realities of addiction and mental health struggles, without painting the person with an addiction in an unfairly villainous light. Without the finesse of an actor like Zendaya, with a Virgo’s eye for detail and ability to maintain such a delicate balance, the show would undoubtedly falter.

Zendaya is now back on set to continue filming “Dune 2,” the highly-anticipated sequel to Dennis Villanueve’s “Dune.” Her next film, “Challengers,” is set for an August 2023 release. Zendaya will play Tashi, a professional tennis player-turned-coach determined to revive her husband’s floundering tennis career and keep a former boyfriend at bay. Wherever we see Zendaya next, we can all rest assured knowing she will continue to inspire her fans with incredible performances and fashion. 

Image from Televison Academy via YouTube