Zendaya Honored at Gotham Awards for Challengers, Dedicates Win to Her Mother

Zendaya kicked off awards season with a touching moment at the 34th Annual Gotham Film Awards in New York City. The 28-year-old actress received the prestigious Spotlight Tribute for her portrayal of tennis prodigy Tashi Duncan in Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino.

The Euphoria star stunned in a white Louis Vuitton halter-neck gown as she accepted the honor. She dedicated the award to her mother, Claire Stoermer, saying, "To my mom. My mom's here tonight; she's embarrassed."

Zendaya expressed gratitude to the Challengers team, praising writer Justin Kuritzkes for crafting a dynamic character and Guadagnino for his visionary storytelling. “Yes, I get to be up here and do it, but my character is only an amalgamation of the beautiful ideas of the amazing, creative people around me,” she added.

Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of The Gotham Film & Media Institute, highlighted Zendaya's impact, calling her “one of the most captivating actors of her generation,” citing her work in Dune and Euphoria.

Challengers, which also stars Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist, received critical acclaim upon its release in April and earned a Best Feature nomination at the Gotham Awards. The film’s Grammy-nominated soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross added to its success.

Looking ahead, the two-time Emmy winner will star alongside Tom Holland in Christopher Nolan’s next project and in an A24 romance with Robert Pattinson, directed by Kristoffer Borgli. Zendaya is also set to reprise her role in the upcoming season of HBO's Euphoria.