Zendaya stuns a-front of ESSENCE’s November + December issue!

The star, who also covers three additional digital covers of the publication, is riding high after winning Best Lead Actress In A Drama at the 2020 Primetime Emmys for her much-lauded performance in HBO series ‘Euphoria.’

And while the triumph would have some resting on their laurels, the 24-year-old is instead using the elevation to shine light on important causes. Namely how much more still needs to be done to dissolve inequality in Hollywood – and in society at large.

As such, beyond posing for the stunning feature spread (lensed by AB+DM), Zendaya opens up about the circle of support she’s received from Black women, the social impact of Beyonce’s lyrics, and more.

Pics and quotes await after the jump…

ON WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH HER MIND RIGHT BEFORE HER HISTORIC EMMY WIN OR EUPHORIA:

“There’s a video of me that a family friend took while I was waiting, and you can see my leg shaking. In my head I was like, ‘Dude, just chill out. What will be, will be.’ I remember taking a deep breath, and then hearing my name, and then my 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. I’ll definitely remember that one forever…”

ON RECEIVING SUPPORT FROM OTHER BLACK WOMEN AFTER HER EMMY WIN:

“I’m honored to have that support, especially from my fellow young Black creatives. Through this Emmy’s period, especially, I felt a strong sense of support within our community, which I’m really grateful for. I think what’s slowly starting to happen is, artists like Issa Rae and Lena Waithe have created opportunities that have resulted in more of us being in these rooms. That’s such a special feeling, and I think it’s definitely changing the idea that there can only be “one at a time,” which is false. I love to see that genuine love and respect for each other’s work. I hope that we continue to expand that in all kinds of beautiful ways, because I think we’re on a really good path…”

HER NEW YEAR’S WISH FOR BLACK WOMEN:

“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..”

Your thoughts?

[Photo Credit: Essence / AB+DM]