Zendaya to receive SeeHer Award at 26th Critics Choice Awards

Even during a pandemic, Zendaya continues to give us something to celebrate. The 24-year-old actress made history last September when she became the youngest woman ever to win the Emmy for Outstanding Actresses in a Drama for her role as Rue in Euphoria (streaming now on Crave), and now she will receive the fifth annual SeeHer Award at the 26th annual Critics Choice Awards.

The honour will be presented to her by her Malcolm & Marie co-star John David Washington during the live ceremony on Sunday, March 7, starting at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

The SeeHer Award recognizes a woman who embodies the values set forth by the SeeHer movement, which is to push boundaries, defy stereotypes and acknowledge the importance of authentic portrayals of women across the entertainment landscape. SeeHer is the leading global movement for accurate portrayals of women and girls in media. Previous award recipients include Viola Davis, Claire Foy, Kristen Bell and Gal Gadot.

“We are so proud to be a part of the Critics Choice Awards, and celebrating our fifth SeeHer Award,” said Nadine Karp McHugh, president of SeeHer. “We are delighted to be presenting the award to Zendaya, who is such a strong representation of what it means to be a woman in 2021. One of the busiest rising stars in Hollywood – with a generation of Disney Channel fans, Marvel devotees and Euphoria evangelists – she is a role model and leading voice of her generation.”

McHugh continued, “From being the youngest actress to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series to using her platform to advocate for Black women in Hollywood, she is showing the next generation that you are never too young to use your voice to make a difference. Inspiring girls everywhere to see themselves in their full potential, Zendaya represents everything SeeHer is.”  

The 26h annual Critics Choice Awards, hosted by Taye Diggs, will combine film and television awards, honouring the finest in both cinematic and televised/streaming achievements. The show will be an in-person/virtual hybrid format, with Diggs and some of the presenters filming from a stage in Los Angeles and nominees appearing remotely from various locations. 

RELATED: Zendaya and John David Washington open up about their ‘dream roles’ in 'Malcolm & Marie'

[video_embed id='2132084']BEFORE YOU GO: Zendaya and John David Washington open up about their ‘dream roles’ in 'Malcolm & Marie'[/video_embed]

During the beginning of February, the Critics Choice Association virtually held its third annual Celebration of Black Cinema, where films, actors, producers and directors were honoured for their work and their ongoing commitment to telling Black stories on film.

Zendaya and Washington were presented with the Next Gen Award for their work in Malcolm & Marie. Euphoria creator/writer/director Sam Levinson re-teamed with Zendaya and brought in Washington to tell the story of filmmaker Malcolm (Washington) and his actress girlfriend Marie (Zendaya), who return home after a movie premiere as he awaits his film's reviews. The evening turns from celebratory to critical as revelations about their relationships begin to surface, and the couple tests the strength of their love.

“This has been such a special opportunity as a young Black woman to create something, believe in myself – that means financial, that means creatively and I’m so lucky I got to do it alongside such an incredible actor and scene partner and also my fellow producer, John David Washington,” the actress said in her acceptance speech.

“To be able to explore the beauty of Black love and the power of Black love, how regal we looked, the intelligence of Black love and our relationship as Black people in the industry and the artistry,” Washington added. “It was a dream come true to do this.”

Zendaya previously told etalk’s Tyrone Edwards that she took on her "dream role" in Malcolm & Marie, which was created "as a family" with her Euphoria team. "We all put in our own money and produced it together. I think it was written for us and that’s something. When your dream role comes across, and it’s also written for you, I really couldn’t have asked for something more special. It’s a dream role. I knew that if we couldn’t do it now, it would be the next movie that I would want to do."

"All I can do in my world is just continue to try and be a better person and to do work that I’m proud of and do it the right way. Hopefully, the world will embrace that; that’s all you can really hope for," Zendaya added. "But as long as you do it from a space of love for what you do and gratitude for what you do, that’s at least how I try to do it."

Zendaya's role as Marie landed her a Critics Choice nomination for Best Actress this year. Her next project, Dune, is set for release in October 2021.

BEFORE YOU GO: Zendaya in talks to star as Ronnie Spector in new biopic

[video_embed id='2046075']BEFORE YOU GO: Zendaya in talks to star as Ronnie Spector in new biopic[/video_embed]