Zendaya, who plays the lead role in HBO’s hit series “Euphoria,” has reportedly negotiated a new deal with the network. This deal will make the 26-year-old actress one of the highest-paid television actors in Hollywood. According to Puck News, Zendaya will now be earning almost $1 million per episode for her portrayal of the deeply troubled high school student, Rue Bennett.
The show has been one of the most talked-about series of recent years, with fans and critics alike praising Zendaya’s performance. While the actor had already achieved fame as a former Disney Channel star, it was her role in “Euphoria” that truly showcased her range as a dramatic actor.
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This is just the latest in a series of historic milestones for the young actor. In 2020, she became the youngest person to win the Emmy Award for best lead actress in a drama. The following year, she won the award again, becoming the only Black woman to ever do so. In her acceptance speech, Zendaya thanked fans of the show for sharing their own stories of struggle with her, saying she carried them with her and with the character of Rue.
With this new deal, Zendaya joins an elite group of actors who have earned close to $1 million per episode for their work on popular television series. These include the lead cast of “Friends” in their final season, the cast of “Game of Thrones,” and Elisabeth Moss on Apple’s “Shining Girls,” among others.
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According to Deadline, Angela Bassett set a record for highest-earning Black female actor on network television in 2021, earning $450,000 per episode of “9-1-1.” Kerry Washington also earned over $1 million per episode for her work on “Little Fires Everywhere.”
Zendaya’s new deal could potentially make her the youngest actor to ever earn such a high salary for their work on television. It also makes her one of the highest-paid Black female actors in the industry. The news of her deal has been met with excitement and celebration from fans, who are eager to see what she will do next.