News | Entertainment
25 Jan 2026 8:55
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
    A 1-nil win over Japan has seen the Black Sticks women book a final against the United States at their three-nations hockey tournament in Dunedin More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    US copied Iran's Shahed drones — now they are deployed in the Middle East More...



     Today's News

    Soccer:
    To football's Premier League.. 8:17

    Motoring:
    A positive end to a disappointing third day for Hayden Paddon at the season-opening event on the World Rally Championship 8:07

    Soccer:
    A 13-match unbeaten streak is under threat for the Liverpool football side 8:07

    Tennis:
    A 10-time champion has ben among those to advance on night seven at the Australian Tennis Open 7:47

    Golf:
    A three-under par third round has helped golfer Ryan Fox climb further up the leaderboard at the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic 7:37

    Hockey:
    A 1-nil win over Japan has seen the Black Sticks women book a final against the United States at their three-nations hockey tournament in Dunedin 7:27

    Skiing:
    Olympic champion snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott has laid down a marker ahead of the looming Winter Games in Italy 7:17

    Athletics:
    Confidence from teenage runner Sam Ruthe that he'll continue to get faster - after claiming yet another age-group world record 7:07

    Motoring:
    Teen running phenom Sam Ruthe is keeping his competitive edge after becoming the fastest ever 16-year-old over the mile at the Cooks Classic in Whanganui 6:27

    Environment:
    MetService has issued watches for rain and wind 21:56


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd