Zendaya Makes History as the Highest-Paid Black TV Actress

Zendaya has solidified her status as a trailblazer by becoming the highest-paid Black actress in TV, earning $1 million per episode for the upcoming third season of HBO’s Euphoria. The 28-year-old Emmy winner renegotiated her contract with the network, surpassing previous records and setting a new benchmark for Black actresses in the industry.

Zendaya, who started on the Disney channel, landed her role as Rue Bennett on Euphoria in 2019. Her raw, captivating performance in the gritty drama that explores addiction, identity, and youth culture has earned her two Emmy Awards, making her the youngest woman to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2020 and again in 2022.

This $1 million-per-episode salary places Zendaya ahead of previous high-earning Black TV actresses like Kerry Washington, who reportedly earned $1.1 million per episode for Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere (though this included her role as executive producer), and Angela Bassett, who made history in 2021 with $450,000 per episode for Fox’s 9-1-1. Zendaya’s deal reportedly reflects her pay for acting alone, with additional earnings likely from her producing role on Euphoria. The California native’s net worth, estimated at $20 million to $30 million, continues to climb, fueled by her TV success, film roles in blockbusters like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Dune, and many lucrative fashion endorsements.

When compared to the highest-paid female actresses overall, Zendaya’s achievement stands out, though it also reveals the broader pay landscape in Hollywood. In 2024, Forbes crowned Nicole Kidman the world’s highest-paid actress, raking in $31 million net ($41 million gross) annually, largely from TV miniseries like The Perfect Couple and Lioness, where she earned $1 million per episode across multiple projects. Sofia Vergara, topping Forbes’ 2020 list with $43 million, earned $500,000 per episode for Modern Family and at least $10 million per season as a judge on America’s Got Talent. Ellen Pompeo peaked at $575,000 per episode for Grey’s Anatomy, totaling over $20 million annually with producing credits.