Zendaya made history with her 2020 Emmys win, but her victory is trending on Twitter after New York Post considered it the “biggest upset” in the event.
Zendaya became the youngest and second Black woman to win the Best Actress in a drama series at the Emmy Awards. She won the judges’ heart with her portrayal of Rue, a teenage drug addict, on HBO’s teen drama TV series Euphoria. But New York Post called her win the “biggest upset,” which upset the netizens.
Zendaya Emmy win the “biggest upset”
New York Post published a report describing Zendaya’s win the “biggest upset” at the 2020 Emmys. Even the actress did not expect to win because bagging the award would mean beating high-caliber and more experienced actresses, including Jennifer Aniston, Jodie Comer, Olivia Colman, and Laura Linney.
The outlet noted that Zendaya is over a decade younger than everyone else nominated for the category. She looked so shocked when her name was mentioned as the winner.
i wasn’t upset? zendaya’s performance in euphoria was PHENOMENAL
— amy ♿️ (@lovednicole) September 21, 2020
Absolutely no one is upset at this
— denisemalik. (@unapologetic_dd) September 21, 2020
Twitter reacts to NY Post’s report
Many did not like the headline of the New York Post’s report and how it insinuates that Zendaya’s victory was upsetting. It appeared to many that the word “upset” sounded like the win was not well-deserved. So, many contradicted the report saying that they were not upset with it.
“No one’s upset,” Clare Palo commented.
“I didn’t find this an upset at all. I expected her to win. I’ve been hearing way more buzz about her performance over the other ladies,” Trishelle wrote.
Another said he understands the word but disapproved of its use because of the negative connotation associated with it.
It’s not that people don’t or can’t grasp what the title is by definition, it’s the negative connotation that it has.
— Donni Baby💙 (@dmbr_) September 21, 2020
Some got the word “upset” wrong
While several blasted the outlet, many also defended New York Post because, the term “upset” applies to the headline, and it has been used in various reports.
One commented by sharing a photo of the word “upset” from an online dictionary which read “an unexpected result or situation.”
Another Twitter user engaged in a debate saying that the word is not negative at all and even presented another headline using the same word. The headline used the word upset after Olivia Colman won the lead actress in The Favourite. The Twitter user explained that the word doesn’t mean the winner didn’t deserve it, or the people didn’t want it to happen.
The same netizen shared another headline using the same word when Bruno Mars win six Grammy trophies while Jay-Z went home without even a single one. The netizen believed that the words “biggest upset” was used because Zendaya was so young and a woman of color.
it’s not about whether zendaya deserved it or not (she did obviously) it’s unexpected because everyone had stronger bets on laura or jennifer
it’s awards show language pic.twitter.com/QOWIbPoeEC
— cat 💙 // kendall is the O.G. (@tomgerricruises) September 21, 2020
guys please… upset has other meaning. don't hate them lol pic.twitter.com/HUsjwcNZL0
— julekk !spoilers! (@noturkitkat) September 21, 2020
It's a word used in the industry pic.twitter.com/woUXeEYAhR
— lightskinned_psycho (@be_lightskinned) September 21, 2020
It isn't negative
Here's another example of Upset being used,
Unexpected doesn't mean they didn't deserve it or people didn't want it to happen pic.twitter.com/vFqGgcZyCQ— lightskinned_psycho (@be_lightskinned) September 21, 2020
Image used courtesy of DFree/Shutterstock