Hollywood’s Old Walls: What Zendaya Sees
Hollywood feels like a different world sometimes. It has these really old barriers. They make diversity, equity, and inclusion hard. This place feels pretty exclusive, honestly. The stories on screen don’t always feel like they show everyone. Zendaya is an actress with mixed heritage. She’s become this really strong voice. She wants real change in that world. But what are these walls she keeps talking about? It makes you wonder.
The film business has only made tiny steps. We see a little more representation now. That’s about it, though. A report from 2021 found something quite sad. The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative did this study. Only 22% of lead movie roles went to people of color. That number feels troubling when you think about it. More than 40% of the U.S. population isn’t white. This big gap affects the stories we get. It also limits chances for artists from different backgrounds.
It’s not just about the actors, you know? Women directors and writers face huge issues too. The Directors Guild of America said something surprising. Women directed only 16% of the top 250 movies in 2020. This lack of women behind the camera is worse for women of color. They often deal with bias because of their race and gender. Zendaya always talks about these unfair situations. She uses her voice to ask for fairer hiring. She pushes for more equal storytelling too.
Historically, Hollywood built these walls early on. Silent films often showed awful stereotypes. Think about “The Birth of a Nation” in 1915. It celebrated the Ku Klux Klan. Later, the Hays Code limited how people could be shown. Black actors got very few good roles. Asian characters were often played by white actors. This history created the system we see today. It’s a long, complicated story.
Zendaya’s Path: Dealing with Big Industry Problems
Okay, so try to imagine something for a second. Picture yourself as a young actress. You’re just starting in an industry. It’s mostly run by older white men. It feels like the odds are stacked against you. Zendaya started her career when she was a teenager. She was on Disney Channel back then, you know? She faced a ton of stereotypes right away. People tried to put her in little boxes. That was because of her race and gender. As she took on bigger parts, especially in “Euphoria,” things changed. She saw Hollywood’s deep-seated problems up close. Quite the sight, honestly.
In 2020, during the Black Lives Matter protests, Zendaya didn’t stay quiet. She spoke out openly about her own experiences. She talked about dealing with racial injustice in Hollywood. She explained how tough it was to work there sometimes. The industry often just pushes voices like hers to the side. “We need to be aware of the stories we are telling,” she told Variety magazine. “And who gets to tell them.” Her words show how much she wants Hollywood to be more responsible. It’s about how they handle diversity in a real way.
Her stand on this is genuinely inspiring. For instance, she’s worked with groups focused on change. She’s helped organizations like Change Hollywood. She also teamed up with Color of Change. These groups really push for changes. They want things to be better for artists of color. They work hard for racial equality in entertainment. Zendaya’s involvement just shows how much she cares. I am happy to see someone use their fame like that.
Making Things Happen: How Zendaya Pushes for Change
Zendaya doesn’t just talk; she acts. She gets involved in groups that want to change Hollywood. One big thing she does is with a specific committee. It’s the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. This group is part of the Academy Awards people. It works to make real shifts happen. They want more diverse people in the Academy itself. They also want fairer ways of voting for awards. It’s a pretty important effort.
Plus, Zendaya uses social media a lot. She often talks about racism and sexism online. She constantly points out how important representation truly is. During the 2020 elections, she used her huge Instagram presence. She really pushed her followers to go vote. She said it was super important to have diverse voices in powerful positions. She told people, “Your vote matters. It’s a chance to change the narrative.” That’s a powerful message.
This way of reaching people, this kind of grassroots approach, is really effective. A survey from Pew Research Center in 2020 found something interesting. More than half of young voters said social media influenced them. They made voting decisions partly based on what they saw there. By sharing her own experiences, Zendaya helps others. She also gives their voices a lift. She really encourages young people to be active in making change. That’s a good thing for everyone.
Real Examples: Representation on Screen and Beyond
One excellent example of Zendaya’s commitment is her show, “Euphoria.” The series has gotten a lot of praise. It shows tough, real issues people face. It covers things like mental health struggles and addiction. It deals with identity, especially for people from marginalized communities. Zendaya plays the main character, Rue. Rue deals with really complicated problems. Her story connects with so many young viewers. This includes people from lots of different backgrounds.
But her work goes beyond just acting. Zendaya made a stand behind the scenes too. She worked very closely with the show’s creator, Sam Levinson. They made sure the stories felt true to life. They also worked hard to make them inclusive. Levinson said Zendaya’s input was incredibly valuable. He said, “Her perspective has shaped the storytelling in ways I could never have anticipated.” This teamwork shows why diverse voices are so needed. They are needed in the creative roles. It brings more real representation to the screen for sure.
Her 2020 Emmy win was another huge moment. She made history that night, you know? She became the youngest actress ever to win Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series. In her acceptance speech, she talked about representation directly. She looked into the camera and said, “I want you to know that you are seen.” This wasn’t just about her personal achievement. It was a clear call for the industry to do better. It was a powerful push for more diversity in how stories are told. It makes you feel like change is really possible.
Comparing Approaches: The Impact of Advocacy
It’s interesting to look at Zendaya’s activism. Then compare it to other big stars. The difference is pretty clear. Many famous people speak out sometimes. But Zendaya seems to weave advocacy into her career constantly. Think about someone like Natalie Portman. She has talked about gender inequality in Hollywood often. Yet, Zendaya seems to take a wider approach. She tackles both racial and gender issues together. She sees how they connect.
This broader kind of advocacy is really important. The industry still struggles with how these issues overlap. A report from the Geena Davis Institute found something concerning. Women of color are often missing from movies entirely. They make up only about 15% of characters in family films. By talking about both race and gender, Zendaya sets a new bar. Other artists can see this and follow her lead.
Also, she’s willing to connect with younger audiences. That’s a different kind of plan. Many activists focus on people already in their circles. Or they talk mostly to powerful people. Zendaya, though, reaches out to younger fans directly. She gives them power to demand change themselves. This strategy does more than just spread her message. It also helps build a whole new group of advocates for the future. I am excited about that potential.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Diversity?
Looking to the future, I am eager to see what happens next. I truly believe Hollywood can change. Advocates like Zendaya are really leading the way forward. Conversations about diversity are getting louder and more frequent. A report from McKinsey & Company showed something important. Entertainment companies that actually support diversity do better financially. They are 35% more likely to earn more than others. This proves that being diverse isn’t just the right thing. It makes good business sense too, surprisingly.
Plus, streaming services are growing huge. Companies like Netflix and Amazon Prime are everywhere. This offers a real chance for new stories to get told. More diverse narratives can finally find an audience. These platforms are often willing to take risks. They tell unique stories traditional studios might avoid. Zendaya’s influence will play a part here. I believe she can inspire more creators of color. They can share their own experiences. They can push for totally new ways to tell stories. I am excited about that potential.
Imagine a Hollywood that truly reflects the world we live in. Every story feels authentic. Every face on screen represents someone real. It’s a powerful thought, isn’t it? The path forward involves sustained effort. It needs commitment from studios and artists. And yes, it needs pressure from us, the audience. We have a part to play too.
FAQ: What People Ask About Zendaya’s Activism
Q: What unfair things has Zendaya talked about facing?
A: She has mentioned facing bias based on her race and gender. She also talks about being put in certain boxes as an actress. There’s also the lack of lead parts for people of color generally.
Q: How does Zendaya actually try to make things better?
A: She uses her fame to make people more aware of problems. She works with groups focused on diversity. She’s also on committees trying to change the industry rules.
Q: Why is seeing different kinds of people on screen so important?
A: Seeing diversity allows many different voices to be heard. This helps create truer, more honest stories. Ultimately, it helps build a world where everyone feels included and understood.
Final Thoughts: Time for Action
It seems clear to me that Zendaya is more than just a talented actress. She’s become a real symbol for change. The entertainment world really needs people like her right now. Her advocacy highlights how important fairer practices are. To be honest, it’s incredibly heartening to witness. Someone using their position to speak up for such crucial issues.
As the audience, we have power in this movement. We can ask for better, more diverse stories. We can make the industry responsible for making real change. Imagine a future where every story truly shows the amazing diversity of our world. We can work together to make the change we want to see happen. Let’s keep supporting artists like Zendaya. They are fighting for justice and representation for everyone. We can help make sure those old walls finally come down for good.
