Zendaya fans are expressing outrage after the actress was excluded from the Oscars competition for her role in Challengers, with many calling it an unjust snub.
The 28-year-old star played tennis player Tashi Duncan in the sports drama, a performance that earned her a Golden Globe nomination. However, when the list of Oscar nominees was revealed on Thursday morning, Zendaya’s name was notably absent.
Not only was Zendaya overlooked, but Challengers itself failed to secure any nominations at all, leaving many fans and critics baffled.
The film, directed by Luca Guadagnino, was praised for its electric filmmaking, its standout screenplay, and the powerful musical score composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Yet, the Academy did not recognize any of these contributions.
Fans took to social media to voice their frustration. One fan shared, “Zendaya got robbed real bad for Challengers… now she’ll never do anything close to a comedy movie anytime soon.”
Some even expressed disbelief that Dune: Part Two, which also stars Zendaya, received five nominations, while Challengers was shut out entirely.
One fan went as far as calling the Academy’s decision “evil,” pointing out that the film’s electrifying score, composed by Reznor and Ross, was deserving of recognition.
“No noms for Challengers is baffling to me. Insanely electric filmmaking with an unbeatable screenplay… No nods for Zendaya is especially evil,” the fan posted.
While Challengers has been excluded from the Oscars race, the film has already earned significant recognition, including a Golden Globe for Best Original Score for Reznor and Ross.
Zendaya also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, though she did not win. Despite the Oscars snub, Challengers remains a critically acclaimed film in many respects.
Zendaya’s exclusion from the Oscars for Challengers has sparked significant backlash from fans and critics alike. Despite the film’s critical acclaim and the actress’s standout performance, the Academy’s decision to overlook both her and the film’s contributions, including Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’s score, has left many disappointed.
While Challengers may not have received Oscar recognition, it continues to be celebrated for its artistic achievements, with Zendaya’s star power remaining strong in future projects.
