News | Entertainment
24 Jan 2026 7:45
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
     23 Jan: Oscars 2026: Sinners break record with nominations, Jacob Elordi and Rose Byrne receive nods
     23 Jan: Amanda Seyfried thinks winning an Oscar "isn't necessary" for career success
     23 Jan: Karol G and Feid have reportedly split
     23 Jan: Summer House stars Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula have split
     23 Jan: Emeli Sande and her fiancee Yoana Karemova have split
     23 Jan: Colleen Hoover is cancer-free
     23 Jan: Nicole Kidman reportedly feels "refreshed and optimistic" as her divorce from Keith Urban is behind her
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams denies player power was behind the early exit of coach Scott Robertson More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    An expectation the official cash rate will be held steady as inflation is higher than expected More...



     Today's News

    Soccer:
    Back to the drawing board for Phoenix men - after a humbling 4-1 loss away to Newcastle in football's A-League 7:36

    Basketball:
    The Breakers have coughed up a four-point lead in the dying stages of overtime to suffer a 112 to 110 home loss to Adelaide in basketball's NBL 7:26

    Tennis:
    ASB Classic women's champion Elina Svitolina is through to the fourth round at the Australian Tennis Open 7:16

    Cricket:
    The Black Caps bowlers have copped a hammering on route to a thumping seven-wicket win loss in the second T20 cricket international against India 7:06

    Accident and Emergency:
    A scene guard remains in place at an address in Clutha after a person was found dead and another found in a critical condition 4:56

    Christchurch:
    A pedestrian's seriously injured after being struck by a car on Christchurch's Riccarton Avenue about 10 to seven this evening 21:17

    International:
    Paris Hilton brings sex tape story to Washington for AI deepfake porn fight 21:07

    Environment:
    The Mount Maunganui tragedy reminds us landslides are NZ’s deadliest natural hazard 20:07

    Business:
    An expectation the official cash rate will be held steady as inflation is higher than expected 18:57

    Politics:
    Gloriavale's condemned private school is remaining open for the time being 18:37


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd