News | Entertainment
7 Feb 2026 0:23
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Zendaya dedicated her special Gotham Award to her mom

    The 28-year-old actress received the Spotlight Tribute at the Gotham Independent Film Awards on Tuesday (02.12.24), for her leading role as former tennis pro-turned-coach Tashi Duncan in Luca Guadagnino's acclaimed romantic sports film 'Challengers'


    Zendaya - who also received a producer credit for the flick - thanked the many creatives and crew behind the blockbuster and gave a special shout-out to her mother, Claire Stoermer.

    Speaking onstage at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, she said: "To my mom. My mom's here tonight; she's embarrassed."

    The 'Euphoria' star insisted that her part is just an "amalgamation of the beautiful ideas of the amazing, creative people around me."

    She said: "Without all of them, none of this is possible.

    "So, really, I just have to say thank you to my community of filmmakers, producers, wardrobe, costumes, hair, and makeup.

    "I mean, yes, I get to be up here, and I get to do it, but my character is only an amalgamation of the beautiful ideas of the amazing, creative people around me."

    Zendaya - who spent three months training with a former tennis pro for the role - thanked the movie's writer, Justin Kuritzkes, for "creating a bold and brilliant character like Tashi" and allowing her to take on the role.

    Praising director Luca Guadagnino for his vision, she added: "To Luca, for bringing this thing to life for his, I mean, visionary eye, the way he sees character and humanness and is always so empathetic to all the characters."

    Zendaya's co-star, Josh O'Connor (Patrick Zweig), presented her with the prize and hailed her as a "generational talent".

    He said: "You're a born leader, a generational talent, a friend, and most importantly, a kind heart."

    Thanking him for his kind words, Zendaya quipped: "We hate giving each other compliments, so I'm going to get you back for that!"

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     06 Feb: Ray Romano has been cast in a new "aspirational family drama"
     06 Feb: Ricky Martin has paid a glowing tribute to Bad Bunny following his Grammy success
     06 Feb: Jesy Nelson's experience of motherhood has been "so full-on"
     06 Feb: Drew Barrymore feels "grossed out" by the idea of dating a man in his 20s
     06 Feb: Ellen DeGeneres is "missing the California weather"
     06 Feb: Flavor Flav is planning to launch a "bigger and better" reality TV show
     06 Feb: Jessie Buckley thinks she might've been more successful if she had a bigger social media following
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Mark Robinson has closed his New Zealand Rugby chapter as he nears the beginning of his new gig with World Rugby More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    A property manager says the numbers of students looking for flats is lower than previous years More...



     Today's News

    Accident and Emergency:
    Coastguard Thames says it was alerted to a report of a capsized vessel and two people in the water off Tararu Beach, at around 11.45am 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Ray Romano has been cast in a new "aspirational family drama" 21:31

    Rugby:
    Mark Robinson has closed his New Zealand Rugby chapter as he nears the beginning of his new gig with World Rugby 21:17

    Politics:
    Indonesia's government directs education funds to meals program as teachers struggle on low wages 21:07

    Entertainment:
    Ricky Martin has paid a glowing tribute to Bad Bunny following his Grammy success 21:01

    Entertainment:
    Jesy Nelson's experience of motherhood has been "so full-on" 20:31

    Entertainment:
    Drew Barrymore feels "grossed out" by the idea of dating a man in his 20s 20:01

    Entertainment:
    Ellen DeGeneres is "missing the California weather" 19:31

    Entertainment:
    Flavor Flav is planning to launch a "bigger and better" reality TV show 19:01

    Cricket:
    Black Caps pace-bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith is favouring a domestic T20 cricket refresh as a decision on the future of the Super Smash looms 18:57


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd