Zendaya is one of 819 stars who were asked to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as part of the organization’s push for diversity in its members.
Including More Representation
David Rubin, Academy President, said the following statement:
“The Academy is delighted to welcome these distinguished fellow travelers in the motion picture arts and sciences.
We have always embraced extraordinary talent that reflects the rich variety of our global film community, and never more so than now.”
It was also reported that out of the overall number, “45 percent went to women, 36 percent to people of color and 49 percent to people based outside of the United States.”
Other artists who received invitations include Awkwafina, Zazie Beetz, Bobby Cannavale, Ana de Armas, Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Tim McGraw, Natasha Lyonne, Eva Longoria, Niecy Nash and Thomasin McKenzie.
The Pressures of Being a Good Role Model
During Hollywood Reporter’s Drama Actress Roundtable– with Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Janelle Monáe, Helena Bonham Carter and Rose Byrne – Zendaya opened up about being a young Black female star with a Disney background, and how she deals with the pressure of it all.
“I have a heavy responsibility on my shoulders, but I’m appreciative… because with that there’s a lot of good that I can do and I know who is watching,” the 23-year-old actress said.
“Now more than ever,” she continued, “specifically with Black Lives Matter and everything, I feel an obligation to make sure that I’m aware and putting out the right things and in line with organizers and people who are on the ground.”
Zendaya rose to fame on the Disney Channel’s “Shake It Up” before landing her own sitcom “K.C. Undercover.” Her acting credits include the films “The Greatest Showman,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Spider-Man: Far from Home,” and HBO’s edgy teen drama series “Euphoria,” which has been criticized for its graphic adult content.
