TIME Person of the Year: Zendaya is on the 2022 list

(Image credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

published 25 May 2022

She's at it again.

The TIME Person of the Year List just dropped, and among 2022's 100 honorees is the inimitable Zendaya.

Fans swoon over Zendaya's outfits time and time again, go gaga over Y2K Euphoria makeup looks and comb the actress' social feeds regularly for a glimpse inside her everyday.

But more than another name in Hollywood, filmmaker Denis Villeneuve describes the star as a "cultural icon in the making," when speaking with TIME.

He said, “[She's] a person driven by pure inspiration, empathy and respect for her craft, who uses authenticity as a new superpower. She seems fearless, her roots run deep, and I love that she still laughs like a kid. Zendaya is the future. And there is nothing more comforting to me."

'TIME' Person of the Year: Zendaya lands on the list

"A great honor. Thank you @TIME for this acknowledgment, and to Denis for his kind words. This means the world to me♥️ #TIME," the actress wrote on Instagram. Naturally, it garnered over five million likes.

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Zendaya interview with 'TIME'

The Spider-Man and Dune star is like any other millennial: she whips out her phone to discuss memorable moments with loved ones throughout the year. However, her favorite moments are premieres and season finales! Have a look at her thoughts in the video below.

Arguably best known for her role as Rue Bennett in Euphoria, Zendaya is the star of the HBO Max teen drama that focuses on pretty heavy material, from substance abuse to assault. Despite difficult subject matter—Euphoria backlash from D.A.R.E. erupted during season 2—the 25-year-old hopes her vulnerable character can help people feel a little bit kinder.

"The most rewarding thing is when someone comes up to me and shares their story. whether it be personally or about a loved one and through her [Rue] they're able to either see themselves from a more empathetic way or see someone they love from a more empathetic way," Zendaya tells TIME.

(We're adding that to the list of best celebrity quotes as we speak.)

Above all, she wants people to connect with Rue and feel that light at the end of the tunnel.

"Leave the audience with a sense of hope because we all need it," she joked.

Congrats Zendaya!

Need a TV show recommendation? Maybe a few decor tips? Danielle, a digital news writer at Future, has you covered. Her work appears throughout the company’s lifestyle brands, including My Imperfect Life, Real Homes, and woman&home. Mainly, her time is spent at My Imperfect Life, where she’s attuned to the latest entertainment trends and dating advice for Gen Z.

Before her time at Future, Danielle was the editor of Time Out New York Kids, where she got to experience the best of the city from the point of view of its littlest residents. Before that, she was a news editor at Elite Daily. Her work has also appeared in Domino, Chowhound, and amNewYork, to name a few.

When Danielle’s not writing, you can find her testing out a new recipe, reading a book (suggestions always welcome), or rearranging the furniture in her apartment…again.