Zendaya talks to Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors for InStyle

At first glance, the new issue of InStyle magazine may look like any other edition of the mag. Newly Emmy-nominated actor Zendaya casts a striking image on the cover as she poses in an Aliétte dress, but behind the scenes, the latest issue represents much more than simply adding to the long list of interviews and photographs featuring the Euphoria star. The photoshoot was a rare instance of an all-Black team of stylists, photographers and designers working on a mainstream magazine. The interview was conducted by Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement. And as for Zendaya, well, there’s no one like Zendaya.Zendaya worked with her team for the shoot, including makeup artist Sheika Daley, hair stylist Larry Sims and stylist Law Roach, who is currently appearing as a judge on HBO Max’s Legendary (watch now on Crave). Photography duo AB+DM, made up of Ahmad Barber and Donté Maurice, shot the latest piece for InStyle, a new collaboration that excited Zendaya. “We're actually around the same age, so it was cool to be with my peers and have an opportunity to show what we can do,” Zendaya told Cullors about working with AB+DM.

 

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We present THE @zendaya in conversation with #blacklivesmatter co-founder @osopepatrisse for our September issue! The insanely talented rising star talks making a WHOLE MOVIE in quarantine, being more than just an actress, and managing her anxiety in the #linkinbio. #zendaya Photographed by: @abdmstudio Styled by: @luxurylaw Hair by: @larryjarahsims Makeup by: @officialsheiks

A post shared by instylemagazine (@instylemagazine) on Aug 6, 2020 at 5:00am PDT

Choosing what to wear for the new shoot, which included pieces from Pyer Moss, Hanifa, Brother Vellies and Christopher John Rogers, was just as important to Zendaya as who was taking the pictures. “There are also so many Black designers people don't know about, so having an opportunity where they can be in InStyle and get the love they deserve is really special. I hope people are like, 'Oh, I like that dress!' And then go support them.”[video_embed id='1994300']RELATED: Vivica A. Fox wants Zendaya for ‘Kill Bill 3’[/video_embed]Speaking to Cullors, who temporarily took over  Zendaya’s Instagram page in July, the Dune star said that she’s been trying to stay positive during the ongoing COVID pandemic and the current Black Lives Matter global movement, but like many, she's been dealing with intense periods of despair.“I didn't know what I could do to help,” said Zendaya, referring to the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing. “And that's when I reach out to people like you. Because at the end of the day, I'm just an actress, you know? And I don't pretend to be anything other than that. If I don't know something, then I ask people who are actually on the front lines doing the work. I'm up in the bleachers, not on the field. So I always think, ‘How can I cheer you on and be a part of something greater than myself?’”

 

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Come for #zendaya strutting on a roof in @pyermoss and @brothervellies, stay for her inventing the color red. #linkinbio for so much more.

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Although Zendaya has consistently used her platform to champion social justice issues, she’s hesitant to describe herself as an activist. “That is a lifestyle. That is a choice every day to be doing the work and devoting your life to a cause. And I don't feel I am deserving of the title,” she said.“There are a lot of words that better describe what I do. I'm an actress, but I'm also just a person who has a heart and wants to do the right thing. I care about human beings, so this time is very hard to talk about. It's painful. I remember when I was with my dad in Atlanta shooting the first Spider-Man movie, and it was around the time that the murders of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling happened. I was extremely emotional, and I remember thinking about my dad, who was out picking up food at the time. And I started worrying and calling him like, 'Are you OK?' I didn't want him to go out and do anything. But my dad is a 65-year-old Black man. He's been on this planet a long time, so he knows what he knows. But I still had that fear, and that scared me.”

 

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Run don’t walk to the #linkinbio for more of #Zendaya’s important conversation with @osopepatrisse and of course... the looks! Photographed by: @abdmstudio Styled by: @luxurylaw Hair by: @larryjarahsims Makeup by: @officialsheiks

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Zendaya also talked to Cullors about her efforts to remain active and creative during quarantine, which included short-lived forays into painting and exercising. On a more successful note, Zendaya helped fund a new film from her Euphoria director Sam Levinson, which co-stars Zendaya and John David Washington.“Everyone had to quarantine and get tested in order to shoot in isolation,” said Zendaya while describing the 15-day shoot for Malcolm & Marie. “We created our own little bubble and made sure that once we were in, we couldn't leave. We were able to workshop and rehearse together — it was very much like a play. I did my own hair and makeup and dressed in my own clothes. And then we shot in black and white on film, so we'll see how it turns out. I think we were able to create something really special. And I'm grateful that we learned how to do it on our own.”[video_embed id='1992184']RELATED: Zendaya shot a movie in secret during the pandemic[/video_embed]