When you hear the name Zendaya, the words successful, influential, and unproblematic icon come to mind.  Since starting her career on Disney Channel Zendaya has remained one of the few stars that has not let fame dictate her life but instead become grounded and appreciative of her successes. At the age of 24 Zendaya has acted in multiple blockbuster films, dabbled in the music industry, performed on Dancing with the Stars, and more. 

   She has remained a role model for young people by keeping her authenticity alive and not submitting to any false personas. 

   When asked why she feels Zendaya is considered a role model for young people, junior Vedha Dave expresses “I feel like Zendaya is an amazing role model because she is driven and determined to accomplish anything she puts her mind to. She’s also an outstanding activist on body positivity and cultural awareness, which is what people these days need. She doesn’t let other people’s opinions get in her head and affect her ability to do the best that she can in any area of her career, or even in life in general.”

   On September 20th, 2020 Zendaya broke a record by being the youngest woman ever to win an Emmy Award for Best Leading Actress in a drama. She won based on her performance as recovering addict Rue Bennett in HBO’s “Euphoria.” Facing stiff competition, Zendaya bested last year’s winner Jodie Comer, who until today, held the title for the youngest to receive this award, as well as Jennifer Aniston, Olivia Colman, Laura Linney, and Sandra Oh. The actress was breathless as she heard Jimmy Kimmel announce her name. Surrounded by a semicircle of teary-eyed supporters and wearing a crystal bandeau top with a  black-and-white polka-dot skirt, she had clearly not prepared an acceptance speech. (New York Times).

   Many young people themselves have agreed that Zendaya is worthy of receiving this award including, junior Antonella Ureta who says “ I’m very proud of her since she’s one of my biggest inspirations, and I think she deserves the world she’s such an amazing person and her role on Euphoria was so amazing I think she definitely deserved it and I’m so proud that she’s the youngest actress to win an emmy, she’s come so far and she’s definitely a huge inspiration to me.”

   At such a young age Zendaya has already left her mark on the world. Growing up in the public eye she has kept her image her own and has become not only a role model but a real model. She has proven that with hard work and dedication any dream can come true.