A few weeks ago, Zendaya, Tom Holland, and other renowned actors thrilled fans with their breathtaking performance when “Spiderman – No way home” debuted in the theaters.” The blockbuster has since gathered critical acclaim and recently surpassed the “Titanic” as the tenth highest-grossing film of all times.
The actress stood out in her role as the lady lover of Holland’s Spiderman character, brimming with confidence as she helped him repair the harm he had wrecked on the timeline. Based on her spectacular performance, one might think the Disney starlet had never had a case of nerves and was always ready to deliver.
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However, the starlet proved she was only human when she felt nervous about starring in the HBO drama “Euphoria.” In the end, the series turned out as a massive success and became the breakthrough moment in her career. Here is what Zendaya said about feeling anxious before headlining the series.
Why Zendaya Had A Case Of Nerves Before Taking On The Role of Rue Bennett
In “Euphoria,” Zendaya played Rue Bennett, a recovering teenage drug addict who also battled with other personal issues. The role required the actress to really dig deep into her acting talents to produce an apt portrayal of the script written for her character.
Knowing that this was her first foray into such a line of acing, Zendaya felt like she had a lot to prove to her naysayers. Unsurprisingly, it made her anxious even though she had fallen in love with the script from the onset.
“I was really nervous because I wanted to do well,” Zendaya recalled about Euphoria in an interview with New York Times. “It’s like going from nothing to everything — there were no steps in between. That’s why people think it is such a stretch for me to play this character. People probably think I can’t do it because they don’t truly understand my personality. And I get it, I am a Disney kid – there’s a lot to prove.”
Sam Levinson Believed Zendaya Was Fit For The Role
Between several people doubting Zendaya’s ability to handle the role and her nervousness, she seemed to be caught in a tight place. However, one person stood out as a pillar of support for the “Dune” star and was ready to make cast his lots with her.
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When it was time to pick the lead act, Sam Levinson, creator and writer of the series, pictured Zendaya in Rue’s role. Levinson believed in her talent and had no doubts that she would deliver an excellent performance.
During the interview, the Disney star recalled his constant support and spoke of his reassuring words.
“He took a risk on me, but he does not see it that way,” the Spider-Man: No Way Home star shared about Levinson. “He would always say, ‘Yo, Z, I’m not worried about you.’ I appreciate that.”
Zendaya Excelled In Her Role As Rue
While Zendaya might have felt nervous about the role, it did nothing to dampen her talent when production started for the eight-episode series. Ultimately, the actress wowed her skeptics by delivering a laudable performance, seen from her passionate depiction of Rue’s character.
She received critical acclaim and rave reviews after the series debuted on June 16, 2019, then earned an Emmy nomination and the Best Actress in a Drama Series award for the role. In addition, Zendaya’s excellent acting and the dazzling display of her co-stars prompted the showrunners to create a series of specials after the show’s finale.
Overall, “Euphoria’s” first installment was a smashing success as ratings shot through the roof. As expected by many, the series got renewed for a second season and might get more sequels in the future.
Zendaya Is Now A Global Star
Zendaya was not a newbie when she starred in the HBO drama series. She previously had a long-running stint on the Disney channel, a feature on “Dancing with the stars,” and other roles in averagely successful films.
Despite all this, “Euphoria’s” impact on her career felt different and was as clear as day.
Joining the cast of the series was a great career move seeing that she attained new heights and proved her expertise in handling intense roles. More so, it was an opportunity to shed her Disney starlet tag and unveil herself as the new hot pick for producers and directors in Hollywood.
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No doubt, she has become a fan favorite, and many are eagerly waiting to see her in more movie roles in the nearest future. For now, viewers can once again enjoy her performance when the sequel premieres on January 9, 2022.
