Issue also includes aΒ History MakerΒ profile of Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris, as well as a feature on βThe Black Women Behind the Biden-Harris Campaignβ
Zendaya is undoubtedly one of Hollywoodβs brightest young stars β and one of Black Hollywoodβs wildest dreams. At just 24 years old, the actress has led two successful series on two of the biggest networks in TV land; costarred in a huge blockbuster Marvel film; and become the youngest woman ever to win the Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a drama, Euphoria. As much as the actress and activist has broken barriers in her past, itβs her present and future in Hollywood thatβs winning.
For ESSENCEβs November + December issue, ZendayaΒ graces the coverΒ with stunning and picturesque black and white imagery that pays tribute to icons of the past while squarely establishing her as a leading force in the present and an icon of the future. The special issue is part of the brandβs ongoing 50thΒ anniversary celebration and also features Zendaya onΒ three bonus digital covers Β (with fashion styling and creative direction led by renowned celeb stylist Law Roach.) In her cover story,Β A Work of Art, Zendaya talks to writer Sylvia Obell about everything from her historic Emmy win, speaking truth to power and carrying our legacy forward. She tells ESSENCE: Β
- ON WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH HER MIND RIGHT BEFORE HER HISTORIC EMMY WINNING:Β βThereβs 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, βDude, just chill out. What will be, will be.β 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 wouldnβt have any time to actually say anythingβbut I didnβt want to stop them, because they were having a great time. It was a very special night. Iβll definitely remember that one forever…β Β
- ON RECEIVING SUPPORT FROM OTHER BLACK WOMEN AFTER HER EMMY WIN: βIβm honored to have that support, especially from my fellow young Black creatives. Through this Emmyβs period, especially, I felt a strong sense of support within our community, which Iβm really grateful for. I think whatβs 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. Thatβs such a special feeling, and I think itβs definitely changing the idea that there can only be βone at a time,β which is false. I love to see that genuine love and respect for each otherβs work. I hope that we continue to expand that in all kinds of beautiful ways, because I think weβre on a really good pathβ¦β
- ON LAW ROACHβS CREATIVE + FASHION DIRECTION: βI also felt very excited that ESSENCE allowed Law [Roach] and me to be a part of the creative team and do something a little bit different. I had so much fun on this shoot paying homage to Donyale Luna, the first Black supermodel. A lot of what I do, specifically within fashion, is a tribute to fashion icons who came before meβmany of whom are Black women. I love the way it turned out. Iβm very proud of it. Itβs one of my favorite cover shoots Iβve ever done.”
- ON FILMING βMALCOLM & MARIEβ WHEN THE PANDEMIC FIRST SHUT DOWN: βIt was a dream, because Iβve always wanted to be able to just strip everything away. I love what I doβand like most people, I was finding ways to stay inspired and stay creative, and luckily I know people who are the same way. It was great sitting in a room with John David Washington, Marcell RΓ©v and Sam [Levinson], literally writing scenes as we went, coming up with ideas as we moved through the characters, and finding new things every day. That was the coolest part. That is why I do this.β
- HER NEW YEARβS WISH FOR BLACK WOMEN: βFor us to continue to fully realize our power and harness it to do great things, because we are incredibly powerful. Weβre often convinced that weβre not, and taught to shrinkβbut we have to believe in our collective power. I always think of that BeyoncΓ© song, βTheyβll never take my power, my power, my power.β Letβs take that energy into the new year…”
ESSENCEβs November + December issue also includes a special Election 2020 package featuring a History Maker profile on Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris and her historic run for the White House. In the piece, News & Politics editor Tanya Christian details her year-plus coverage of the Senatorβincluding her live appearance at the 2019 ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans during her presidential run. The issue also features The Black Women Behind the Biden-Harris Campaign, an article showcasing key movers and shakers who helped drive the campaign to victory.
ESSENCEβs November + December issue hits newsstands on November 24th.