Zendaya has won two Emmys and a Golden Globe for her starring role in the HBO show Euphoria .

zendaya smiles at the camera, she wears a white sweater and stud earrings, blurry crowds of people fill stands behind her

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

1996-present

Zendaya News: Actor Admits She’s Been Nervous About Challengers

“This is my first time leading a film in this way so ya girls been nervous but everyones excitement and encouragement has meant the world to me,” she wrote, later adding, “try not to judge the characters too much lol.”

Challengers follows Tashi, a one-time tennis prodigy turned coach who gets caught in a love triangle with her husband and an ex-boyfriend, played by Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor, respectively. “I find them all really likable and charming—and terrible also,” Zendaya told The New York Times earlier this month. She said it would have been easy to make Tashi an entirely unsympathetic character but pushed past that to find Tashi’s humanity. “I think she’s falling apart and you’re watching a woman scramble to pull her life together and keep up the facade and hold all the pain in,” she said.

Although Zendaya has appeared in several blockbuster films, including major franchises like Dune and the Tom Holland –led Spider-Man trilogy, Challengers marks her first turn in a leading movie role.

Quick Facts

Young zendaya: parents and siblings.

  • Movies and Shows: Euphoria, Spider-Man, and More

Boyfriend Tom Holland

Music career and book, who is zendaya.

Zendaya is an Emmy- and Golden Globe–winning actor who stars in the HBO show Euphoria and has appeared in the Jon Watts’ Spider-Man trilogy and two Dune movies. The California native became a Disney Channel star as a teenager, anchoring the sitcoms Shake It Up and K.C. Undercover in the 2010s. Zendaya transitioned to movies in 2017 with Spider-Man: Homecoming and The Greatest Showman before leaving her wholesome image behind to portray Rue on the provocative drama series Euphoria . The performance made her the youngest person, at age 24, to win the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Her latest projects are the 2024 movies Dune: Part Two and Challengers . Zendaya is currently dating her Spider-Man co-star Tom Holland .

FULL NAME: Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman BORN: September 1, 1996 BIRTHPLACE: Oakland, California HEIGHT: 5 ft. 10 ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Virgo

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman—known professionally by her first name—was born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California. “Zendaya” means “to give thanks” in the language of the Shona people of Zimbabwe.

claire stoermer, zendaya, and kazembe coleman pose for a photo while standing together and smiling

Her parents are Claire Stoermer, a teacher and stage manager, and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, also a teacher. Although Claire and Kazembe weren’t married when they had Zendaya, they eventually wed in 2008 when their daughter was 12 years old. Their union didn’t last, though. Zendaya’s parents divorced in 2016 after eight years of marriage.

Zendaya has five older stepsiblings—Katianna, Annabella, Kaylee, Austin, and Julien—from her father’s previous marriage. She is also an aunt, though some of her siblings’ kids are close in age to her or even slightly older. “I like to think I’m the cool aunt, I had this whole situation the other day where my little niece had friends over. I’m like, ‘Do you want to hang out? Do you need a ride?,’” Zendaya told British Vogue in 2021. “But she seems to be not too embarrassed for me. Euphoria helps with that.”

Thanks to her mom’s stage managing work, Zendaya spent much of her youth hanging around the California Shakespeare Theater, better known as Cal Shakes. “I grew up in the theater,” she told British Vogue . “I was a little kid watching Richard III .” Claire had taken the job to supplement the family’s income; at the time, they were living paycheck to paycheck. Incidentally, it sparked Zendaya’s interest in acting.

During her days as a student at the Oakland School for the Arts, Zendaya landed a number of roles in local theatrical productions, including for Cal Shakes. She also honed her craft at the American Conservatory Theater and Cal Shakes’ Conservatory program. Zendaya had an interest in dance as well. She was a member of the Future Shock Oakland dance group for several years and studied hula dancing at the Academy of Hawaiian Arts.

“My parents worked very hard to provide me with everything that I could have ever wanted as a child,” Zendaya said . That included supporting her early modeling career. She booked work with companies such as Macy’s and Old Navy and once performed as a backup dancer to Selena Gomez in a Sears commercial. Then, when Zendaya told her parents she wanted to pursue show business full-time, her father quit his teaching job and moved with Zendaya, who was in middle school at the time, to Los Angeles. Kazembe became his daughter’s manager, a position he stills fulfills today.

Movies and Shows: Euphoria , Spider-Man , and More

Shake it up.

zendaya smiles at the camera, she wears a denim collared shirt over a light colored dress with a long necklace and a feather in her hair

In 2010, at age 13, Zendaya saw her career take off with the debut of Shake It Up on the Disney Channel. The young actor described the show to McClatchy-Tribune Business News as “a buddy comedy about two best friends who dream of becoming professional dancers and finally get their chance when they get to audition for their favorite show.”

Zendaya and her co-star, Bella Thorne, became tween idols to their young fan base. The songs they performed on the show, including “Something to Dance For,” were hit downloads with their target audience, and their two characters became so popular that they even inspired their own fashion line.

Outside of her first hit show, Zendaya lent her voice to the animated TV movie Pixie Hollow Games (2011). She also made guest appearances on other shows, including A.N.T. Farm and Good Luck Charlie , and starred with Thorne in the 2012 TV movie Frenemies . The next year saw the conclusion of Shake It Up after three seasons.

Dancing With the Stars

Also in 2013, Zendaya made the switch from her former imaginary dance show to the popular televised competition Dancing with the Stars . She was paired with professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy on the show’s 16th season and competed against fellow celebrities Andy Dick, Kellie Pickler , and Aly Raisman , among others. Her dance background didn’t prove to be much help. As she told Good Morning America , “I’m really used to hip hop dancing... So I kind of have to forget what I know and restart all over again.” Still, Zendaya and Chmerkovskiy made it to the season finale and ultimately became runners-up.

K.C. Undercover

Zendaya next starred in another Disney Channel show K.C. Undercover for three seasons, from 2015 to 2018. The young actor leveraged her star power to land as one of the sitcom’s producers and had a major hand in shaping the show, about a girl who discovers her parents are spies. “The only reason I wanted to come back to the Disney Channel is because there was a lack of diversity at that time,” Zendaya told The Seattle Times in 2017. She successfully requested the series feature a Black family and that her character, K.C., broke from the typical Disney girl archetype. Instead of an artistic type who can sing, act, and dance, K.C.—originally planned as Katy—was a tech genius with a black belt. Zendaya even managed to change the show’s title from Super Awesome Katy .

Spider-Man Trilogy and The Greatest Showman

As she wound down her Disney years, Zendaya made a splash with her first major movies. She appeared in The Greatest Showman (2017) as trapeze artist Anne Wheeler, alongside Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum . The musical biopic also starred Zac Efron and Michelle Williams .

Even more consequentially, Zendaya joined director Jon Watts’ Spider-Man trilogy that began with 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming . Starring Tom Holland as the titular superhero, the movies saw Zendaya portray Michelle “M.J.” Jones, Holland’s onscreen classmate and eventual love interest. She reprised the role in Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). All three movies were major box-office hits, particularly No Way Home , which earned more than $1.9 billion to become 2021’s highest-grossing film. Their success secured Zendaya’s place in Hollywood for years to come.

zendaya stands outside and looks to the left, she wears a brown jacket over a dark colored shirt

Further distancing herself from her former Disney image, Zendaya signed on for the starring role of teen drug addict Rue Bennett in the HBO series Euphoria . “I knew if I wasn’t a part of this show, I’d be miserable,” she told The New York Times . Based on the turbulent adolescent years of creator Sam Levinson, the show generated buzz ahead of its June 2019 debut for its graphic depictions of teen drug use and sexuality.

“I don’t find it that shocking, to be honest. People will. I kind of accepted the fact that it would be polarizing,” Zendaya said of the show’s provocative content. “Whether people like it or not, it’s real. I’m telling somebody’s story. Just because it’s not happening to you doesn’t mean it’s not happening all the time, every day.”

Now two seasons in, Euphoria has become a huge success with the star earning major praise and several awards—two Emmys and a Golden Globe—for her performance. Her first Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series arrived in September 2020, making 24-year-old Zendaya the youngest person ever to win the category. While accepting her second Emmy in 2022, the actor said , “My greatest wish for Euphoria was that it could help heal people.”

A third season of Euphoria was scheduled to return in 2025, but as of March 2024, the timeline has been delayed. Production hasn’t yet begun as the scripts are still being written, according to Variety .

Dune Movies and Challengers

Spider-Man: No Way Home wasn’t Zendaya’s only silver-screen role in 2021. She began with the black-and-white Netflix film Malcolm & Marie in January before lending her voice to the character Lola Bunny in the animated movie Space Jam: A New Legacy that July.

In October 2021, the actor appeared in her latest movie franchise, a remake of Dune directed by Denis Villeneuve . Zendaya played Chani, a supporting character who is the love interest of main character Paul Atreides ( Timothee Chalamet ) in the sci-fi epic. Her role garnered controversy, as she only appeared in seven minutes of the Oscar-winning film. “I only really had a few days with her, so I kind of scratched the surface but it was so much fun figuring her out,” Zendaya said of Chani in a 2021 interview with Empire . “What does she walk like, what does she talk like? This is her planet, so how does she navigate this world? It was so fun.”

The actor returned as Chani—this time in a larger role—for the movie’s sequel, Dune: Part Two, which was released in March 2024. The expanded part marks a departure from author Frank Herbert’s original book. “Something Denis really found for Chani is allowing her to have her own mind and spirit when it comes to her perception of Paul and what she thinks of him,” Zendaya told ScreenRant . As of late April 2024, Dune: Part Two is the highest-grossing movie of the year. A third movie, based on Herbert’s sequel Dune: Messiah , is currently in development, according to Entertainment Weekly .

Zendaya quickly returned to theater screens as the star of Challengers , which was released in late April 2024. She played Tashi, a former tennis prodigy who becomes a coach for her Grand Slam–winning husband, Art (Mike Faist), and her ex-boyfriend Patrick (Josh O’Connor). Off the court, Tashi gets tangled in a love triangle with the men. “I felt like it was a good step into a more, I guess you could say, ‘grown-up’ role and into that next phase,” Zendaya told Elle in 2023. “It was a little bit scary to take on, which I think is a good feeling. To be like, ‘Ooh, can I do this?’ You could run from that feeling and stay safe and comfortable, or you can go, ‘You know what, f–– it.’”

zendaya and tom holland look at each other and smile while standing on stone steps, they wear formal attire in gray, black and white

Zendaya is currently dating actor Tom Holland . Their relationship is rumored to date back to around when they met in 2016 while filming Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). However, their romance didn’t go public until July 2021 when they were spotted kissing in a car . Holland seemingly corroborated the couple’s relationship in an Instagram post wishing her a happy 25th birthday that September. Zendaya confirmed Holland is her boyfriend a year later after winning a 2022 Emmy Award. She shared in an interview that she “texted her boyfriend” after the win.

The couple has chosen to keep their relationship private. Holland told The Hollywood Reporter in June 2023, “Our relationship is something that we are incredibly protective of and we want to keep as sacred as possible,” the actor explained. “We don’t think that we owe it to anyone, it’s our thing, and it has nothing to do with our careers.”

Zendaya similarly explained their secrecy to Elle in a September 2023 article . “Parts of my life, I accept, are going to be public,” she said. “But also, I do have control over what I choose to share. It’s about protecting the peace and letting things be your own.”

Despite keeping most aspects of their relationship out of the spotlight, Holland did share with The Hollywood Reporter that he turns to his girlfriend for career input. “Zendaya is probably the most honest with me,” he said, adding, “Which I love, ’cause you need that.”

Beyond acting, Zendaya embarked on a music career as a teenager. She signed a recording deal with Hollywood Records in 2012 and unveiled her self-titled studio album the following year. It was markedly less successful than her onscreen work, and she has mostly abandoned the craft ever since. However, she collaborated with Chris Brown on the 2016 song “Something New,” paired with Zac Efron on “Rewrite the Stars” for The Greatest Showman (2017), and has contributed to the Euphoria soundtrack.

More recently, she performed with British musician Labrinth at the 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and contributed uncredited vocals on “The Feels” from his 2023 album, Ends & Begins . “I have a lot of negative experiences with the music industry, and being onstage is really the worst,” she told Elle , referencing her Coachella appearance. “I was afraid to open that door again. But I was also like, ‘You can’t run away from this forever.’”

Elsewhere, Zendaya became a first-time author with 2013’s Between U and Me , in which she shared advice for her young fans.

  • A lot of people don’t realize their power. I have so many friends who say yes to everything or feel like they can’t stand up for themselves in a situation. No: You have the power.
  • I think it’s always important for kids to see themselves reflected on the screen, and when you’re making child programming you have a little bit of an extra responsibility there.
  • If you’re in a place where you can move the needle, then do it.
  • The older that I get, I just want to be happy and peaceful, and my ambition is more about trying to live a good life.
Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn’t look right, contact us !

Headshot of Biography.com Editors

The Biography.com staff is a team of people-obsessed and news-hungry editors with decades of collective experience. We have worked as daily newspaper reporters, major national magazine editors, and as editors-in-chief of regional media publications. Among our ranks are book authors and award-winning journalists. Our staff also works with freelance writers, researchers, and other contributors to produce the smart, compelling profiles and articles you see on our site. To meet the team, visit our About Us page: https://www.biography.com/about/a43602329/about-us

Headshot of Emily Shiffer

Emily Shiffer has worked as a writer for over 10 years, covering everything from health and wellness to entertainment and celebrities. She previously was on staff at SUCCESS , Men's Health , and Prevention magazines. Her freelance writing has been featured in Women's Health , Runner's World , PEOPLE , and more. Emily is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she majored in magazine journalism at the Medill School of Journalism and minored in musicology. Currently residing in Charleston, South Carolina, Emily enjoys instructing barre, surfing, and long walks on the beach with her miniature Dachshund, Gertrude.

Watch Next .css-avapvh:after{background-color:#525252;color:#fff;margin-left:1.8rem;margin-top:1.25rem;width:1.5rem;height:0.063rem;content:'';display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}

preview for Biography Actors Playlist

Emmy Awards

jeremy allen white looks at the camera with a slight smile, he wears a black suit and tie with a white collared shirt

Ayo Edebiri

donald sutherland smiles at the camera, he wears a dark suit jacket and tie with a white dress shirt and a gray scarf

Donald Sutherland

kiefer sutherland smiles at the camera, he wears black glasses, a black suit jacket and a black collared button up shirt

Kiefer Sutherland

justin timberlake looks at the camera, he weras a black suit jacket and bowtie with a white collared shirt and brooch on his lapel

Justin Timberlake

jim henson smiles at the camera as he holds one hand up to his face and sits in a red theater seat, behind him is a mural of many muppets, he wears a gray zip up jacket and dark pants

Jesse Plemons

lucy liu

Riley Keough

anya taylor joy wearing a dior dress for a photocall and posing in front of a marble staircase

Anya Taylor-Joy

jimmy kimmel smiles at the camera, he wears a navy suit jacket, black tie, and collared white shirt

Jimmy Kimmel

john williams smiles at the camera, he wears a black tuxedo with a white collared shirt and metal rimmed glasses

John Williams

zendaya short biography

Sound Department

IMDbPro Starmeter Top 500 47

Zendaya in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

  • Contact info
  • 30 wins & 56 nominations total

Zendaya's Best Red Carpet Looks

Production art

  • Anne Wheeler

John David Washington and Zendaya in Malcolm & Marie (2021)

  • Rue Bennett

Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor in Challengers (2024)

  • Tashi Donaldson

Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Austin Butler, Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and Souheila Yacoub in Dune: Part Two (2024)

  • 18 episodes

Willem Dafoe, Jamie Foxx, Rhys Ifans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zendaya, and Tom Holland in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

  • Lola Bunny (voice)

The Bunny & The GOAT - ESPN 30 for 30 (2021)

  • executive producer
  • In Development
  • producer (p.g.a.)

Zendaya in K.C. Undercover (2015)

  • co-producer
  • 76 episodes

Zendaya in Zendaya: Neverland (2016)

  • performer: theme song "Keep It Undercover"
  • 46 episodes
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor Dissect the Motives in 'Challengers'

Personal details

  • Zendaya Coleman
  • 5′ 10″ (1.78 m)
  • September 1 , 1996
  • Oakland, California, USA
  • No Children
  • Parents Claire Marie Stoermer
  • Relatives Kaylee Stoermer Coleman (Half Sibling)
  • Other works Music video for Taylor Swift: "Bad Blood" as Cut-Throat
  • 4 Interviews
  • 62 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

  • Trivia Her name means "giving thanks" in the language of the African Shona tribe.
  • Quotes If I could have a Dancing with the Stars (2005) partner, it would be Michael Jackson , but since I can't any more - sadly - it would be Roshon Fegan .
  • Salaries Challengers ( 2024 ) $10,000,000
  • How old is Zendaya?
  • When was Zendaya born?
  • Where was Zendaya born?

Related news

Contribute to this page.

  • Learn more about contributing

More to explore

Recently viewed.

zendaya short biography

  • Fundamentals NEW

Britannica Kids logo

  • Biographies
  • Compare Countries
  • World Atlas

Related resources for this article

  • Primary Sources & E-Books

Introduction

(born 1996). American actor, singer, and dancer Zendaya began a career on television in 2010 when she was a teenager. She started in comedic roles on the Disney Channel but later switched to serious parts. Zendaya won two Emmy Awards for her portrayal of a drug-addicted teenager in the HBO series Euphoria .

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman was born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California. Her parents, Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, were teachers. Zendaya began performing at a young age. She practiced hula (an art form of words, rhythm, and gestures) with the Academy of Hawaiian Arts in Oakland and danced with Future Shock Oakland, a hip-hop dance troupe. She went on to study at the Cal Shakes Conservatory Program in Orinda, California, and the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, California. While at the Oakland School for the Arts, Zendaya acted in many California stage productions, including at the Berkeley Playhouse and at Palo Alto’s TheaterWorks. She also modeled and appeared in TV commercials.

In 2010 Zendaya won the part of Raquel (“Rocky”) Blue, one of the lead characters in the Disney Channel’s series Shake It Up . The comedy, which follows two teenagers in Chicago, Illinois, who become dancers on a local television show, ran until 2013. During that time Zendaya released her first single, “Swag It Out” (2011). Her first full album, Zendaya (2013), featured the hit song “Replay.” She also starred in a number of Disney made-for-TV movies, including Frenemies (2012) and Zapped (2014).

Between her acting and singing, Zendaya had developed a large fan base. In 2013 she published a book of advice, Between U and Me: How to Rock Your Tween Years with Style and Confidence (2013), aimed toward her preteen fans. That same year she was a contestant on the television reality show Dancing with the Stars . She ultimately finished in second place. From 2015 to 2018 Zendaya starred in Disney’s comedy series K.C. Undercover . She also produced a number of episodes of the show.

Zendaya appeared in her first non-Disney role in 2015, when she guest-starred on the TV comedy Black-ish . Beginning at that time she also appeared in a number of music videos, including Taylor Swift ’s “Bad Blood” (2015), Beyoncé ’s All Night (2016), and Bruno Mars ’s “Versace on the Floor” (2017). In 2017 Zendaya had her first big-screen role, as Michelle (“MJ”) Jones in Spider-Man: Homecoming . That same year she appeared in the musical film The Greatest Showman , performing trapeze and singing (with Zac Efron) the song “Rewrite the Stars.”

In 2019 Zendaya had a guest spot on the TV drama The O.A. She also took on the lead role of Rue Bennett, a high-school student battling anxiety and drug addiction, in the series Euphoria . For that role she won the Primetime Emmy in 2020 for outstanding lead actress in a drama series. At the time she was the youngest actor to win in that category. She won again in 2022, making her the first Black woman to win that Emmy twice. She also became the youngest person to win two Emmys. Meanwhile, Zendaya reprised her role as MJ in the films Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). Her other movies from 2021 included the romantic drama Malcolm & Marie , the animated Space Jam: A New Legacy , and the science-fiction epic Dune .

In addition to acting, dancing, and singing, Zendaya was interested in fashion . She often dressed in bold, playful looks. At the 2015 Academy Awards ceremony she appeared in an off-the-shoulder ivory gown with her hair in locs (narrow coils). A commentator made a controversial remark about her look that drew on negative stereotypes about Black hairstyles. Zendaya addressed the issue the next day on Instagram. She stated: “There is a fine line between what is funny and disrespectful.…There is already harsh criticism of African American hair in society.…My wearing my hair in locs on an Oscar red carpet was to showcase them in a positive light.” The commentator apologized, and Mattel soon created a Barbie doll modeled after Zendaya’s red-carpet look.

In 2016 Zendaya launched a fashion line called Daya. She then collaborated with American designer Tommy Hilfiger on Tommy x Zendaya, which debuted in 2019. That year the collection won acclaim for its fall show in New York, which featured all Black models ranging in age from 18 to 70.

It’s here: the NEW Britannica Kids website!

We’ve been busy, working hard to bring you new features and an updated design. We hope you and your family enjoy the NEW Britannica Kids. Take a minute to check out all the enhancements!

  • The same safe and trusted content for explorers of all ages.
  • Accessible across all of today's devices: phones, tablets, and desktops.
  • Improved homework resources designed to support a variety of curriculum subjects and standards.
  • A new, third level of content, designed specially to meet the advanced needs of the sophisticated scholar.
  • And so much more!

inspire icon

Want to see it in action?

subscribe icon

Start a free trial

To share with more than one person, separate addresses with a comma

Choose a language from the menu above to view a computer-translated version of this page. Please note: Text within images is not translated, some features may not work properly after translation, and the translation may not accurately convey the intended meaning. Britannica does not review the converted text.

After translating an article, all tools except font up/font down will be disabled. To re-enable the tools or to convert back to English, click "view original" on the Google Translate toolbar.

  • Privacy Notice
  • Terms of Use

Biography Web

Celebrities Bio, News & Profile

zendaya short biography

Born: September 1, 1996
Nationality: American
Category: Actress
Full name: Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman
Occupation: Actress, singer, dancer
Years active: 2009- present
Agent: Bradlee
Partner(s): Tom Holland
Parent(s): Claire Stoermer, Kazembe Ajamu Coleman
Awards: Prime time Emmy, critics choice awards
Origin: Oakland, California
Net Worth: $22million
Labels: Hollywood, Republic
Website:
Social Media:

Table of Contents

Zendaya (American Actress)

DISCOGRAPHY

Zendaya BIOGRAPHY

zendaya short biography

American actress and singer Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman was born September 1, 1996). Known mononymously as Zendaya, she has garnered several awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential persons in the world in 2022.

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

On September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California, teacher Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman welcomed Zendaya into the world. Her mother is of German and Scottish descent, while her father is African-American and descended from Nigeria.   Zendaya has five older siblings. Her name is derived from the Shona name Tendai, which means “to give thanks”. Her mother taught for twenty years at Fruitvale Elementary School, where she went.

While still a student at Oakland School for the Arts, Zendaya was chosen for multiple roles in local theatre productions. She performed as Little Ti Moune in Once on This Island at the Berkeley Playhouse and as Joe, a part originally intended to be male.

Zendaya started out as a fashion model for Old Navy, Macy’s, and Mervyns. She was in an advertisement for iCarly toys as well. She additionally had an appearance in a Sears commercial with Disney actress Selena Gomez as a backup dancer.   She was Featured in the Kidz Bop music video for their rendition of Katy Perry’s “Hot n Cold” in 2009.

She went through an audition in November 2009 for the Disney sitcom Shake It Up (which was then called Dance Dance Chicago), where she was to play CeCe Jones.   She sang “Leave Me Alone” by Michael Jackson at her audition.   She got the role of Rocky Blue. With 6.2 million viewers, Shake It Up’s November 7, 2010 premiere ranked as Disney Channel’s second-highest-rated debut in the network’s 27-year history.

Zendaya made her movie debut in the 2012 Disney Channel Original Film Frenemies. “Something to Dance For” was made available as a Live 2 Dance promotional single on February 29, 2012. Three additional songs, “Made in Japan,” “Same Heart,” and “Fashion Is My Kryptonite,” which were released as promotional singles, were also recorded by Zendaya for the soundtrack. Shake It Up received a third and final season renewal in June 2012.

zendaya short biography

In August 2013, she was chosen to play the title role of 16-year-old Zoey Stevens in the Disney Channel Original Film Zapped, in which her “smart phone begins to somehow control all the boys around her”.

She was chosen to play the lead role in Super Awesome Katy, a Disney Channel pilot.   In May 2014, Disney Channel ordered it to series, renaming Zendaya’s character K.C. Cooper instead of Katy Cooper and renaming the show K.C. Undercover. In addition to deciding on many significant aspects of the character’s characteristics, Zendaya had a say in the retitling of the series and the renaming of her character.   On January 18, 2015, K.C. Undercover made its Disney Channel debut. In May of the same year, the show was given a second season renewal.

In July 2017, she made her big screen debut as Michelle in the blockbuster movie Spider-Man: Homecoming. Zendaya “add[ed] her own embellishments to the role, such as carrying around a mug of herbal tea” and decided not to use makeup for her screen test. This choice was maintained throughout production.

Zendaya costarred in the original musical The Greatest Showman in December 2017. When interracial relationships were considered socially unacceptable, she played a trapeze performer who develops feelings for Zac Efron’s character.

Zendaya debuted as Rue, the series’ 17-year-old drug addict and narrator, in the HBO drama series Euphoria, which was adapted from the Israeli series of the same name. Her performance garnered praise for the series, which debuted on June 16, 2019, to a favourable review from critics.

Zendaya was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Euphoria and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama at the 80th Golden Globe Awards in 2023. She made her stage return in eight years when she unexpectedly performed “All for Us” and “I’m Tired” with Labrinth during the second weekend of Coachella 2023.

Zendaya and Tom Holland, her co-star in Spider-Man, have been together since November 2021.

zendaya short biography

Zendaya is an American actress, singer, dancer, and producer who has a net worth of $22 million. Zendaya has successfully transitioned from a child actor on Disney shows to a veritable movie star and successful entrepreneur.

  • Recent Posts

Naa Ofori

  • “A Brief Moment of Peace” Serves as a Warning About Life’s Unending Circle of Hardships. - 21 December 2023
  • Seasonal Falls’ “Reach For Nearby” Offers Advice on Living a Contented Life - 21 December 2023
  • Tarn PK Tackles The feeling of Hopelessness in His Song “Papier Mache” - 21 December 2023

Encyclopedia Britannica

  • Games & Quizzes
  • History & Society
  • Science & Tech
  • Biographies
  • Animals & Nature
  • Geography & Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • On This Day
  • One Good Fact
  • New Articles
  • Lifestyles & Social Issues
  • Philosophy & Religion
  • Politics, Law & Government
  • World History
  • Health & Medicine
  • Browse Biographies
  • Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
  • Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates
  • Environment
  • Fossils & Geologic Time
  • Entertainment & Pop Culture
  • Sports & Recreation
  • Visual Arts
  • Demystified
  • Image Galleries
  • Infographics

Top Questions

  • Britannica Kids
  • Saving Earth
  • Space Next 50
  • Student Center
  • Introduction
  • Early life and Disney career
  • First big-screen roles and other parts from the late 2010s
  • Historic wins with Euphoria and global fame with Dune
  • Interest in fashion

Zendaya

  • What are some of the major film festivals?

the Beatles. Publicity still from Help! (1965) directed by Richard Lester starring The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr) a British musical quartet. film rock music movie

Zendaya: Facts & Related Content

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica , and create and manage the relationships between them.

Also Known As Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman
Born September 1, 1996 (age 27) • •
Notable Family Members daughter of Kazembe Ajamu • daughter of Claire Stoermer
Education Oak Park High School (Oak Park, California) • Oakland School for the Arts (Oakland, California)
Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In) "Malcolm & Marie" (2021) • "Euphoria" (2019–2021) • "Spider-Man: Far from Home" (2019) • "The OA" (2019) • "K.C. Undercover" (2015–2018) • "Smallfoot" (2018) • "Duck Duck Goose" (2018) • "The Greatest Showman" (2017) • "Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017) • "Love Advent" (2015) • "Black-ish" (2015) • "Shake It Up" (2010–2013) • "A.N.T. Farm" (2012) • "Good Luck Charlie" (2011)
Movies/Tv Shows (Writing/Creator) "K.C. Undercover" (2018)
Albums "Zendaya" (2013)

Zendaya

Related Biographies

zendaya short biography

Related Quizzes and Features

USA 2006 - 78th Annual Academy Awards. Closeup of giant Oscar statue at the entrance of the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Hompepage blog 2009, arts and entertainment, film movie hollywood

  • The Science Behind Our Emotions and the Difference Between the Emotions of Men and Women
  • The Minimum Wage Crisis in New York City
  • The Supreme Court’s Ruling to Keep Trump on the Ballot is Reshaping the 2024 Election
  • When Real-life Deer Meets a Zombie-like Disease: Unraveling the Mysteries of Chronic Wasting Disease
  • Hunger’s Silent Battle: Unmasking the Crisis of Food Insecurity
  • Phone Progression and Psychology – What Does it Mean for Your Future?
  • The Healthcare Catastrophe Running Rampant in America’s Countryside
  • The Risks of Biotechnology in the Food Industry
  • Citi Bike’s Impact on New York City Transportation
  • An Analysis of the U.S. Educational System
  • Ecoterrorism: Destruction or Revolution
  • The Beauty of Minimalism

We've got the news down to a science!

The Science Survey

A profile of the actor, dancer, singer, and model zendaya.

From her debut in Disney to the big screens, Zendaya has made an impact, not only on Hollywood, but also on a generation of young people who grew up alongside her as their role model.

Aaminah Bukhari , Staff Reporter | March 6, 2022

Zendaya+is+a+revolutionary+icon+and+celebrity+for+the+younger+generation.

Condé Nast (through Vogue Taiwan), CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Zendaya is a revolutionary icon and celebrity for the younger generation.

She is Hollywood’s next big thing. With her varied résumé — as an actor, dancer, singer, and model — she is slowly taking over the industry. An icon, a role model, and a celebrity of her own making, Zendaya Coleman, or Zendaya for short, embodies how hard work and dedication can pay off. 

She was introduced to the entertainment industry at a young age. Initially, a backup dancer, Zendaya danced her way to a lead role on Disney’s Shake it Up in 2010. 

When I conducted a survey with Bronx Science students, about 60 percent of them said that they were first introduced to her as Rocky Blue, her character in the famous Disney Channel sitcom.

Saldon Tenzin ’24 said, “I think the representation she brings to the acting industry is great. She’s half African-American and back then, during the years of Shake It Up , most actresses were white. I think she not only proved she could do as much as her fellow counterparts but also showed others that a person of any race, gender, age, etc. could do it as well.” 

During her Disney days, Zendaya appeared in multiple projects such as the 2012 hit Disney Channel movie Frenemies , alongside her co-star Bella Thorne. Subsequently, in 2014, she starred in the movie Zapped . 

“Zendaya was so cool and funny in Zapped , and I just loved her character as a dancer, so much,” Mritika Rahman ’23 said. “ Zapped is one of my favorite Disney Channel Original movies.”

Her Disney show ran until 2013 during which time, Zendaya released her first single, ‘ Swag It Out ‘ (2011), and her debut album, Zendaya (2013), featuring the hit song ‘ Replay ‘ which peaked at spot number 51 on the Billboard 200. 

Thereafter, Zendaya grew her fan base, even going as far as to write a book for her new pre-teen fans. B etween U and Me was published on August 6th, 2013, and included personal photos, candid anecdotes, recipes, playlists, doodles, and advice from Zendaya to her fans. She told Business Wire in 2013, “The tween years can be really fun and exciting, but they can also be a tough time in a girl’s life. You’re just finding your voice and personal style…I hope this book will help girls through the tougher parts of the tween years and help them appreciate the fun parts.” 

At 16, Zendaya returned to her earliest passion — dancing — by competing in the 16th season of Dancing With The Stars, where she was crowned runner-up. Eventually, Zendaya’s Disney contract came to an end, but not before she starred in and produced Disney’s K.C Undercover from 2015 to 2018. 

“The only way I was going to come back to the Disney Channel was if I was in a position of more power,” she told Cosmopolitan in 2016 . “One thing that is really important to me is diversity on the channel. It’s hard as a young person of a different ethnicity or background to look at the TV and not see anyone who looks like you. Representation is very important.”

Fairuz Raya ’23 agreed with the representation that Zendaya brought to Disney. She said, “ Zendaya is a tall woman of color. She carries herself like the icon she is and is the representation that I loved seeing as I grew up. I’ve always been insecure about my tall height, but then I see Zendaya trailblazing her way through Hollywood, and I am reassured.”

With her daring, bold looks, Zendaya has made a name for herself on the red carpets. She also made headlines for her advocacy on diversity and is not afraid to call out the systemic racism that is prevalent in Hollywood. At the 2015 Oscars, Zendaya wore an elegant off-the-shoulder ivory gown. While the beautiful gown was already attention-grabbing, it was Zendaya’s dreadlocks that garnered negative social media attention. 

When the E! News reporter Giuliana Rancic made negative commentary on Zendaya’s dreadlocks, stating that they must have smelled of “patchouli,” the teen responded with a widely applauded Instagram post. “ There is a fine line between what is funny and what is disrespectful,” part of the Instagram post read . “… There is already harsh criticism of African American hair in society without the help of ignorant people…My wearing my hair in locks on an Oscar red carpet was to showcase them in a positive light, to remind people of color that our hair is good enough. To me, locks are a symbol of strength and beauty.”

This would not be the only time that Zendaya would call out disrespect regarding her appearance. 

The same year, Zendaya posed for the cover of Modeliste magazine, but she wasn’t happy when the photos came back with heavy touch-ups on her hips and torso. “These are the things that make women self-conscious, that create the unrealistic ideals of beauty that we have,” she wrote in her Instagram post calling out the magazine. “Anyone who knows who I am knows I stand for honest and pure self-love.” 

Modeliste pulled the edited photos before the issue was published, and released a letter from the editor thanking Zendaya for addressing the situation. “We are proud that Zendaya has taken this as an opportunity to address this situation, and create a very necessary honest and open dialogue,” the Editor-in-Chief, Amy McCabe, wrote. 

Furthermore, her interest in the fashion industry grew in proportion to her career. In 2016, she became the face of CoverGirl, expressing her delight in joining the work of powerful, beautiful, and strong women of different races and ethnicities. 

She went on to create the clothing line ‘Daya,’ which was made with the intent of being gender fluid and accessible for everyone. 

Not only was her impact felt in the fashion world but also amongst the music industry. 

After her hit album, she featured in music videos and albums such as Finding Neverland: The Album — the musical companion to the Broadway musical by the same name.  In 2016, she appeared in Taylor Swift’s ‘Bad Blood’ music video , dropped the single ‘Something New’ featuring Chris Brown, appeared in Beyoncé’s Lemonade visual album, collaborated with Latin pop singer Prince Royce on the song “X” in 2017, and finally starred in Bruno Mars’ ‘Versace on the Floor’ music video that same year. 

In addition to music, she broadened her career experiences by being cast as MJ in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), her first feature film. She reprised her role for the trilogy with the latest movie Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) which broke both domestic and international box office records. 

Zendaya was also a part of the hit movie musical The Greatest Showman (2017), which was nominated for best original song at the 2018 Oscars for ‘This Is Me.’ 

In 2018, she started voicing characters in animated films like Duck Duck Goose and Smallfoot . 

The following year, she went international by becoming a global ambassador for Lancôme, a beauty brand that sponsors other actresses including Lupita Nyong’o and Julia Roberts. 

Zendaya teamed up with designer Tommy Hilfiger, in 2019,  for a collaboration that featured Black models ages 18 to 70.

She released more films, taking on the role of Folao, for the second season of Netflix’s The OA , starred in the two-person cast of ‘Malcolm and Marie’ alongside John David Washington in 2021, voiced the iconic Lola Bunny in Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021), and was featured in the sci-fi film Dune (2021) alongside Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, and others. 

In her most recent project, she plays Rue, the lead role for the HBO original series Euphoria , which landed her an Emmy, making her the youngest woman to win the best actress in a drama series award.

Tenzin noted, “She’s contradicting all these claims that people made about her being a mere Disney actor. A ‘Disney actor’ usually stays in the world of shows and movies for kids and teens, but she made it out from that and succeeded brilliantly. She has inspired me as a young woman, and I hope to see her in new movies this year.” 

Zendaya continues to be an inspiration to all with her honest personality, as well as her calm, cool demeanor. She continues to prove how much she deserves to be in Hollywood with her several sensational talents. We have just seen the beginning of what will be her award-winning career. 

To see more of Zendaya, an episode of the second season of Euphoria is currently being released every Sunday on HBOMax.

“She’s contradicting all these claims that people made about her being a mere Disney actor. A ‘Disney actor’ usually stays in the world of shows and movies for kids and teens, but she made it out from that and succeeded brilliantly. She has inspired me as a young woman, and I hope to see her in new movies this year,” said Saldon Tenzin ’24.
  • Arts and Entertainment
  • entertainment
  • generation Z
  • shake it up
  • Spider-Man: No Way Home
  • Tom Holland
  • Zendaya Coleman

Aaminah Bukhari is a Copy Chief for ‘The Science Survey.’ Her job is to edit her fellow peers’ articles to help them display their full writing potential....

“It became clear that, since my arrival in the U.S, I’d felt invisible, and even as I entered middle age, that feelings hadn’t changed. Rather, it grew. I wrote memoirs so I could see myself,” said Esmeralda Santiago. (Photo Credit: David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

From Memoir to Masterpiece: Esmeralda Santiago’s Literary Legacy

Pictured above is an image from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Celebration of Native American Heritage Month in 2023. While many steps have been taken to revitalize Native American culture, it is still increasingly important that their culture and language be recognized and supported. (Photo Credit: Office of the Secretary of Defense - Public Affair, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

A World Silenced: The Importance of Protecting Indigenous Languages

zendaya short biography

The Modern Mozart: A Profile on the Composer John Williams

zendaya short biography

The Forgotten War in Myanmar

Rachel Aviv is a writer for The New Yorker with two nominations for a National Magazine Award for Public Interest, one National Magazine Award for Profile Writing, and one Whiting Award for Creative Non-Fiction. Her book, Stranger to Ourselves: Unsettled Minds and the Stories That Make Us was named one of the ‘10 Best Books of 2022’ in The New York Times.’ (Photo by Rose Lichter-Marck; used by permission of Rachel Aviv)

New Yorker Writer Rachel Aviv’s Advice to Young Writers

Pictured are our Class of 2024 Valedictorian Manuel (Manu) Bosteels (at left) and Salutatorian Nora Berisha (at right). Photo Credit: Alexander Thorp

Manuel Bosteels and Nora Berisha Are Named Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the Class of 2024

Here is a fold-out page from the mysterious Voynich manuscript, which is undeciphered to this day. (Image Credit: Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons) 

Lost in Translation: Reflections of Our Souls in the Voynich Manuscript

From left to right, Bamba, Catherine, and Sophia Singh were presented as debutantes in Buckingham Palace. They wore expensive silks and tulle, a testament to their regality. (Photo Credit: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Exiled Princesses, Women’s Suffragists, and Activists: A Profile On the Singh Sisters

Considered one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century, Richard Feynman (1918-1988) single-handedly revolutionized modern physics through the course of his celebrated life. (Photo Credit: The Nobel Foundation, Public Domain, via Wikimedia)

Richard Feynman: Brilliant Scientist, Mischievous Prankster, and Swashbuckling Orator

Coffee is one of the world’s most beloved and cherished beverages. Its complex flavors and invigorating aroma weave a long tapestry of history and culture from across the globe. (Photo Credit: Nathan Dumlao / Unsplash)

From Bean to Buzz: Unveiling the Global Journey of Coffee

Zendaya

  • Overview ↓
  • Filmography ↓
  • Awards ↓

Biography by Wikipedia

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, known mononymously as Zendaya, is an American actress and singer. She began her career as a child model and backup dancer, before gaining prominence for her role as Rocky Blue on the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up (2010–2013). In 2013, Zendaya was a contestant on the sixteenth season of the competition series Dancing with the Stars. From 2015 to 2018, she produced and starred as K.C. Cooper in the sitcom K.C. Undercover, and in 2019, she began playing the lead role in the HBO drama series Euphoria. Her film roles include supporting parts in the musical drama The Greatest Showman (2017) and the superhero films Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) and Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019).

Movie Highlights

The Greatest Showman

Additional Information

All subgenres.

zendaya short biography

  • 2024 Sexiest Men Of the Moment
  • Of The Essence
  • Celebrity News
  • If Not For My Girls
  • The State Of R&B
  • Time Of Essence
  • SSENSE X ESSENCE
  • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
  • 2023 Fashion House
  • Fashion News
  • Accessories
  • 2024 Best In Beauty Awards
  • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • 2024 Travel Awards
  • Relationships
  • Bridal Bliss
  • Lifestyle News
  • Health & Wellness
  • ESSENCE Eats
  • Food & Drink
  • Money & Career
  • Latest News
  • Black Futures
  • Paint The Polls Black
  • Essence Holiday Gift Guide 2023
  • 2024 Black Women In Hollywood
  • 2024 ESSENCE Hollywood House
  • 2024 ESSENCE Film Festival
  • 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
  • 2023 Wellness House
  • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for essence newsletters the keep the black women at the forefront of conversation., zendaya: a timeline to superstardom.

Zendaya: A Timeline To Superstardom

As an actress, style icon, and all-around it-girl, Zendaya is an A-lister that transcends film genres.

Starting out as a Disney child star, teen recording artist, and Tumblr style inspo in the late 2010s, the actress has become an Emmy-winning, Oscar-nominated starlet and high-fashion icon through consistent hard work and skill. She now has two Emmy awards for Best Actress in a Drama Series, is a fixture in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has one Oscar-nominated film under her belt and is busy shooting its sequel. And at just 26, this is surely only the beginning .

Zendaya: A Timeline To Stardom

Issa Rae likely put it best when she asked Zendaya directly, “When you wake up in the morning and look in the mirror, how hard do you have to fight the urge to say ‘wow…these other b*tches aren’t even close’?” A valid question we’re still searching for the answer to, as the actress and producer never ceases to amaze and constantly raises the bar with both her work and her style!

Take a look at the roles that made Zendaya an undeniable superstar.

Zendaya: A Timeline To Superstardom

COMPANY INFORMATION Our Company Customer Service Essence Ventures Change Your Address Contact Us Job Opportunities Internships Media Kit SUBSCRIBE Newsletters Give a Gift of ESSENCE Print & Digital App FOLLOW US MORE ON ESSENCE Home Love Celebrity Beauty Hair Fashion ESSENCE festival ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

What makes Zendaya a great celebrity

Why Zendaya is one of the brightest stars of Generation Z: “You can’t manufacture cool.”

by Constance Grady

Zendaya on the red carpet at the Oscars.

Zendaya, the 22 year-old star of HBO’s Euphoria and the newest set of Spider-Man movies , has been on the path toward stardom since she was 13. That was 2010, and young Zendaya Coleman was starring next to fellow future star Bella Thorne in the Disney Channel’s Shake It Up! , about two normal teenage girls who also happen to be backup dancers on a local TV show. (This was when all Disney Channel programming was made under the combined shadow of High School Musical and Hannah Montana. ) But she didn’t become really famous — mainstream famous, you’re-allowed-to-get-away-with-only-using-one-name-because-you’re-just-that-famous famous — until the 2015 Oscars .

That was when Zendaya, age 19, happened to appear on the red carpet in a white silk gown, with her hair in dreadlocks — and on E’s Fashion Police , Giuliana Rancic commented , “That hair is swallowing her. I feel like she smells like patchouli oil.” An offscreen (and never-identified) voice added, “Or weed.”

Outrage followed thick and fast, with commenters across the internet decrying the Fashion Police segment as racist.And in the ensuing controversy, Zendaya could easily have let those commenters position her as the passive victim of Rancic’s ignorance. Instead, she rapidly took control of the narrative herself.

“There is already harsh criticism of African American hair in society without the help of ignorant people who choose to judge others based on the curl of their hair,” she wrote in an Instagram post the next day. “My wearing my hair in locs on an Oscar red carpet was to showcase them in a positive light, to remind people of color that our hair is good enough. To me locs are a symbol of beauty and strength, almost like a lion’s mane.”

Zendaya’s response went viral. Solange, Kerry Washington, Viola Davis, Whoopi Goldberg, and Ava DuVernay all rallied behind her . Rancic apologized on air during an episode of Fashion Police later that week. Mattel announced a Barbie modeled after Zendaya’s Oscar look .

By the time the dust had settled, Zendaya had become the kind of celebrity that you’re supposed to have a general idea of and opinion about if you’re vaguely pop culture literate. And her star was only beginning to climb.

Even then, at the very beginning of her wider fame, the way Zendaya handled the Oscars controversy was telling. Embedded in her response were all the elements of savvycelebrity-image wrangling that she’s since developed into a fundamental part of her public persona. That’s why, to fully understand why Zendaya has become such a household name in such a short period of time, you have to understand why her response to the 2015 Oscars controversy worked so well.

Zendaya is consistently thoughtful about social politics

What got people excited about Zendaya during the Oscars controversy was how careful and measured her response was: She explained exactly what made Rancic’s remark so offensive and how fraught the history of talking about black women’s hair is , and then ended on a note of uplift.

And since that episode, Zendaya has consistentlycontinued to use her celebrity to talk thoughtfully about race and social justice. “I am inspired right now by people who use their platforms,” she told Glamour in 2017 . “If people know your name, they should know it for a reason.”

She often talks about how she feels she has a responsibility to help represent the black community onscreen. So when Disney offered Zendaya the starring role in a new show when she was 16 ( K.C. Undercover ), she says, she insisted that her character have a black family. “I was like, ‘If I’m going to do this, this is how it has to be.’ There needs to be a black family on the Disney Channel,” she said in the Glamour interview . “A lot of people who aren’t people of color can’t quite understand what it’s like to grow up and not see yourself in mainstream media.”

She talks about her struggles to finagle her way into the audition room for parts that default to white actresses. “I always tell my theatrical manager, ‘Anytime it says they’re looking for white girls, send me out. Let me get in the room. Maybe they’ll change their minds,’” she told Marie Claire in 2018 .

And she talks about the ways in which her light skin (Zendaya is biracial) makes her a more palatable option for casting directors than her darker-skinned peers. “I am Hollywood’s, I guess you could say, acceptable version of a black girl, and that needs to change,” she said at BeautyCon in 2018 . “We’re vastly too beautiful and too interesting for me to be the only representation of that.”

It’s in part because of Zendaya’s commitment to thoughtfully participating in a conversation about race that she has grown such a passionatefanbase. Laura Harrier, who co-starred with Zendaya in 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming , told Vogue that when they were shooting the movie, “We’d be getting our nails done in Atlanta, and people would come up to her, crying,” overwhelmed at her sheer presence.

Zendaya knows how to use fashion to tell stories

Zendaya at the Oscars.

Before that infamous Fashion Police segment even aired, Zendaya was coming out ahead on the 2015 Oscars red carpet on the sheer strength of her look. Her white satin dress was eye-catching but restrained, so that the whole effect was pointedly adult;but adult in a mature way, not in a provocative way. At the time, she was still starring in K.C. Undercover , but the look seemed to be deliberatelysaying, “I am not just a Disney kid,” without trying too hard. And the fashion cognoscenti sat up and took notice.

“ Zendaya Is This Academy Awards’ Breakout Style Star ,” declared Vogue on the night of the Oscars, in a post that went on to laud the outfit as “one part Lisa Bonet, one part Venus de Milo, and all very grown up (which is to say, all very un-Disney).”

“We’ll be keeping our eye on you, Zendaya,” the post concluded — and, in fact, Vogue has kept an eye on Zendaya. They follow her fashion choices rapturously. She has been a Vogue cover star twice.

In large part, that’s because Zendaya knows how to dress for a moment. She uses her outfits to tell her audience a story about how she wants to be seen on a given day — and she proved with her response to Rancic that she is willing to back those choices up when questioned on them.

None of this means that she’s making her style choices all by herself. She’s been dressed by stylist Law Roach since she was 14 years old — including on that fateful Oscars night — and his playful, performative aesthetic and commitment to storytelling is definitely at work in Zendaya’s outfits. (When Roach wants her to wear a particularly challenging look, Zendaya told Vogue in 2017 , he tells her, “It’ll be a mo-ment .”)

But not just anyone can pull off the looks that Roach is putting together. It takes someone like Zendaya, who understands the way that clothing creates image and finds the attitude necessary to make them work. “You’ve got to be a strong girl to do that on the red carpet,” Roach told the Guardian in 2018 , referring to the time he dressed Zendaya as Ziggy Stardust-era Bowie for the Grammys. “You have to have conviction to say, ‘I like this, and I think I look cool, and fuck you to everybody who doesn’t.’”

Their work is collaborative — which is why, at this year’s Met Gala , Roach walked the red carpet with Zendaya, playing the fairy godmother to her Cinderella in a tongue-in-cheek farewell to Zendaya’s Disney days.

Zendaya as Cinderella and her stylist, Law Roach, as her fairy godmother at the 2019 Met Gala.

Zendaya is strategic and deliberate in her appearances

One of the oddest things about the 2015 Oscars controversy is that there was so little reason for Zendaya to be there in the first place. She was a Disney Channel star who, at the time, had never made a feature film, and shewas not involved in the ceremony at all. So why was she on the red carpet for the Fashion Police to discuss in the first place?

She “basically snuck onto the red carpet,” Zendaya told Vogue earlier this year . She was the “plus one of a plus one” — and then she used that precarious position to establish herself as someone the pop culture and fashion worlds needed to keep an eye on. At the 2018 Oscars, Zendaya was back again , and this time in her own right as a presenter.

At its most basic level, this is a classic showbiz strategy: When no one knows who you are, get yourself into a room with a lot of celebrities and a lot of photographers and make yourself someone who has to be noticed. And repeating that strategy over and over again is part of how Zendaya built up her public image while she was still working on the Disney Channel.

“Nobody wanted to dress her when she wasn’t known,” Roach explained to the Guardian last year . So he came up with a simple workaround: He started putting Zendaya in outfits that had already been worn by people more famous than she was ( Beyoncé, Kylie Jenner ). That move made her into a “Who Wore It Better” fixture — and that, in turn, made Zendaya a known quantity in celebrity and fashion columns. She picked up name recognition. And after a while, she could wear any kind of clothes she wanted to, in the same way that, after a while, she could go to the Oscars as a presenter instead of the guest of a guest.

These kinds of just-show-up strategies are great for grabbing people’s attention. But for the move to pay off, you have to have something to say once you’ve caught them. And that’s always been Zendaya’s greatest strength.

Zendaya is determined to take control of the conversation surrounding her

After that fateful Fashion Police segment, it’s easy to imagine another young up-and-comer in Zendaya’s place stepping back and keeping her mouth shut, choosing to take the coverage as a win and trying not to create waves.

Instead, Zendaya put a thoughtful, powerful response in writing, ensuring that the entire controversy surrounding her hair and Fashion Police ’s responsibilities unfolded on her ownterms. And that’s because Zendaya is incredibly good at both finding a way to take creative control and then at doing interesting things with it once she has it.

That’s part of how she got the Disney Channel to make her onscreen K.C. Undercover family black: Despite Zendaya having just one major TV credit under her belt at the time, she insisted that the Disney Channel make her a producer when Disney offered her the starring role in K.C. Undercover . She was just 16 years old.

And the changes she made didn’t stop there. With her new power as producer, Zendaya got the show retitled from Super Awesome Katy to K.C. Undercover . She demanded that her character, K.C., be brainy rather than artsy (“There are other things that a girl can be” besides the Disney-standard singer or dancer, Zendaya explained to Vogue in 2017 ), and that she have martial arts training. She thought that when K.C. was at school, she should be a socially awkward teenager.

When the show premiered in 2015, reviews lauded specifically the elements that Zendaya had requested be added in. “Those who do watch will find a lot to admire in K.C., who’s both book- and street-smart, a critical thinker, and always graceful under pressure,” said the children’s media guide Common Sense Media .

Now that she’s in the wilds of Hollywood, Zendaya doesn’t seem to have quite the leverage she had within the Disney machine: She’s the star of Euphoria , but she doesn’t produce it the way she did K.C. Undercover . But she’s assiduously watching which projects she takes on and working to find ways to control her projects herself.

“Having a Disney past sometimes makes it difficult for people to take you seriously, so I have to pick the right projects, make sure I do the right things, take my time,” she explained to Glamour in 2017 . “And then I want to produce and create shows and movies, whether or not I’m starring in them. You know when you watch a show and you’re like, ‘That’s so good, I wish I’d made it’? Why not? Why not make it?” In 2018, she announced that she’d be producing and starring in the thriller White Lie , with Reese Witherspoon signed on to produce as well.

“A lot of people don’t realize their power,” she told Vogue in 2017 . “I have so many friends who say yes to everything or feel like they can’t stand up for themselves in a situation. No: You have the power.”

Zendaya inarguably does have the power. As her star has risen, her projects have leaned increasingly heavily on her image for their promotion. Spider-Man: Far From Home , her most recent film, is roping in a giant segment of its audience by dangling the question of whether Zendaya and Tom Holland are secretly in love . In the lead-up to Euphoria ’s release, it was vanishingly rare to see a headline about the show that didn’t name-check Zendaya , and showrunner Sam Levinson says he put Zendaya on his vision board when he created the show.

“There is a warmth that radiates from her and also a sensitivity and a vulnerability that she tries her damnedest to hold back sometimes,” Levinson told the Hollywood Reporter .

Or, as LL Cool J told Vogue about Zendaya following a triumphant guest-starring spot on Lip Sync Battle in 2017 , “She’s cool. You can manufacture fame. You can manufacture publicity. You can manufacture songs. You can’t manufacture cool.”

And that insistence on owning her cool and owning her power, on unapologetically taking control of it and then doing smart and interesting and beautiful things with it, is what makes Zendaya such an exciting celebrity to watch. What’s even more exciting is realizing that, at just age 22, she’s really just getting started.

Most Popular

The supreme court’s disastrous trump immunity decision, explained, the supreme court also handed down a hugely important first amendment case today, the caribbean has a defense system against deadly hurricanes — but it’s vanishing, do other democrats actually do better against trump than biden, hawk tuah girl, explained by straight dudes, today, explained.

Understand the world with a daily explainer plus the most compelling stories of the day.

More in Culture

Chappell Roan spent 7 years becoming an overnight success

Chappell Roan spent 7 years becoming an overnight success

The Spotify conspiracy theories about "Espresso," explained

The Spotify conspiracy theories about "Espresso," explained

Tiktok is full of bad health “tricks”

Tiktok is full of bad health “tricks”

How the UFC explains the USA

How the UFC explains the USA

Kevin Costner’s ego and the strange road to Horizon

Kevin Costner’s ego and the strange road to Horizon

Hawk Tuah Girl, explained by straight dudes

What about Kamala?

Food is no longer a main character on The Bear

Food is no longer a main character on The Bear

Should Biden drop out? The debate, explained.

Should Biden drop out? The debate, explained.

Do other Democrats actually poll better against Trump than Biden?

Do other Democrats actually poll better against Trump than Biden?

How white victimhood is shaping a second Trump term

How white victimhood is shaping a second Trump term

If it’s 100 degrees out, does your boss have to give you a break? Probably not.

If it’s 100 degrees out, does your boss have to give you a break? Probably not.

The Transformation Of Zendaya From 13 To 26 Years Old

Zendaya on the red carpet

Whether you're following her career or not, it's impossible to miss Zendaya. With nearly 190 million followers on Instagram and over 20 million on Twitter (and counting!); features in countless fashion magazines, and advertisements with Valentino, Lancome, and Covergirl, starring roles in feature films and television shows; the actor is everywhere. It may seem like Zendaya has just recently stepped into this intense spotlight, but the star has been steadily ascending for years. Strategic and smart, Zendaya has carefully chosen roles and seized opportunities to bolster her career. "I tried to watch how everybody else did it, and I tried to do my own thing. And just staying true to who I am. If I'm not feeling it, it's not going to happen," she told Variety of her meteoric rise to fame.

From starting her career in earnest at 13 years old to amassing dozens of credits as a working actor, Zendaya has taken an ambitious path. This is the transformation of Zendaya.

Zendaya was shy as a kid

Zendaya, born Zendaya Coleman, grew up in the Oakland area of California. An introverted child, the multi-hyphenate always knew that she wanted a career in the entertainment industry. Despite struggling with severe shyness as a kid, Zendaya worked hard to make her dreams come true. "I wouldn't try anything. I always had this fear of failing and not doing so well," she told Elle about her childhood, noting that she had to overcome her fears in order to create the career and life she has now. According to Zendaya, she grew up in "not the nicest" area, yet the future star's parents did everything they could to ensure their daughter made it to auditions in Tinseltown. "My mom stayed in Oakland because she had two jobs: teaching, and working at the California Shakespeare Theater at night. Those two jobs paid for all of our car trips back and forth for the year I was auditioning," Zendaya recalled. After she began modeling for companies like Macy's and Old Navy, per her biography , she eventually landed a starring role on a Disney show.

Her family knew she was a star, so the Colemans packed up and moved to Hollywood, rather than continuing to commute from Oakland, in order for their daughter to achieve her dreams. It was a gamble that clearly worked. "Luckily I had parents who were like, 'You know what? We believe in you'," she told Glamour .

She starred in Shake It Up

Zendaya's first major role was in 2010 at just 13 years old. The actor booked a starring role on the Disney Channel original television show " Shake It Up, " where she acted opposite Bella Thorne. By the time she landed this role on Disney Channel, Zendaya had started going mononymously, dropping her last name for a singular stage name. "I [dropped my last name because I] just thought it was cool, like Cher or Prince," she told Allure . Not only was Zendaya navigating a major move and the throes of childhood stardom, she was navigating life as a teenage girl, as well. "I was 13, and it was just me and my dad in an apartment in downtown L.A. It was very difficult because I was dealing with all the pivotal girl moments. I remember getting my period and him not knowing what to do. It was a weird transitional phase," she shared in an interview with Glamour .

Whenever she could, Zendaya ensured she wasn't missing out on some crucial moments for a tween girl. As she shared with British Vogue , the budding star refused to kiss one of her "Shake It Up" costars on camera. "I remember ... being like, 'I'm not gonna do this. I'm going to kiss him on the cheek because I haven't been kissed yet so I don't want the kiss to be on camera.'"

Zendaya almost won Dancing With the Stars

Though she's now pickier about her opportunities, as a teenager, Zendaya took any chance to prove her skills. In 2013, Zendaya was asked to join the cast of "Dancing With the Stars," and she cemented herself as a multitalented star while competing alongside partner Val Chmerkovskiy. Judges were continually impressed with her dancing skills, and she ended up placing second, losing to country music singer Kellie Pickler and partner Derek Hough. Judges weren't the only ones impressed by the 16-year-old, the youngest competitor in the show's history. The professional partners were stunned by her talent, too. "Zendaya, I think, flourished on the show and then became who she is now, [which is] a freaking icon," Jenna Johnson gushed to Us Weekly . And as Chmerkovskiy told Entertainment Tonight , "I wanted this to be such a huge moment for her. She worked so hard, and I really wanted her to lift that trophy and jump-start her career. And she didn't lift the trophy and I felt heartbroken about that."

"Dancing With the Stars" is not for the faint of heart, as Zendaya told B96 in Chicago . "It's probably the hardest thing I've ever done ... It was a lot of pressure." But if any 16-year-old was equipped to handle it, it was Zendaya, as evidenced by her second-place finish.

She had a short music career

If you're familiar with Zendaya's work, you've likely heard her sing. The star has a clear penchant for music, and in 2013, her self-titled debut album premiered, spawning hits like "Replay." Unfortunately, her professional singing career was short-lived, and aside from some collaborations and music video cameos, "Zendaya" is all she has to show from her time as a recording artist. "I think the [music] industry takes a little bit of passion away from you. It sucks you dry a little bit. What I thought I wanted, it's not what I want anymore, [especially] when I think about what I had to deal with in the music industry," she told Paper Magazine about her experience. "If anyone asks my number one advice, for [the entertainment] industry in general but mostly the music industry, it's look over those contracts, every single word, and don't sign anything that isn't worth it to you. You are worth more than they will say that you are."

Zendaya's biggest contribution to the music industry since "Zendaya" has been her work with Labrinth, the English singer and producer who's responsible for the music on "Euphoria." The Emmy-winning musician has collaborated with Zendaya on pieces like "All For Us" and "I'm Tired," both of which were featured on the show. 

Zendaya returned to Disney Channel after going mainstream

After putting her singing career on hiatus, Zendaya returned to the acting scene with Disney, starring in their 2015 series "K.C. Undercover," in which she played a genius in a family of spies. Though the show was not met with critical acclaim, as Disney series often aren't, it did run for 75 episodes and was a fan-favorite for its four-season tenure. Returning to Disney wasn't easy for Zendaya. "I think a lot of people look at me in a certain way because I've been on the Disney Channel a long time," she told Variety in 2017. The actor, determined not to carry with her the stereotypical Disney child star image, fought for creative control while filming "K.C. Undercover." Thanks to her own advocacy, Zendaya served as a producer of the series, a skill she was wise to hone at a young age, as this opened her to more opportunities later in her career.

A major factor in Zendaya's return to Disney Channel was much bigger than her own career. "When I left Disney, there weren't any families of color on the channel. I thought that was a big reason why I wanted to come back. I think I've successfully made a show that not only allows for representation but sees girls in a powerful and strong position," she said.

Zendaya turned into a movie star

In her attempt at total world domination, Zendaya took the official dive from Disney darling to bona fide movie star when she was cast as Michelle in "Spider-Man: Homecoming," starring Tom Holland as the titular superhero. "It was nice to play a character who wasn't a damsel in distress but actually very smart, quirky, different and outspoken," she told Variety . It's rare for a Disney star to shed their affiliation with the brand. Stars like Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, and Demi Lovato have managed to do so, but some like Hilary Duff and Emily Osment are still associated with the Mickey Mouse ears. Zendaya, however, has managed to elude her Disney image, and did so with the help of some of her other movies , too, like "The Greatest Showman," " Dune ," and "Malcolm and Marie."

Zendaya didn't just take any role that came along, though. A sought-after actor, Zendaya was offered plenty of roles while with Disney and after, but she only took those with substance. "They usually feel very one-dimensional in the sense that there's not a lot of layers to them... It would have been great and it would have been fine, but I wouldn't have grown at all," she told GQ of her selection criteria. "I would much rather have one line in a great movie than be the lead of a s****y one," she declared to Variety.

She became a literal fashion icon

In addition to her unbelievable talent, Zendaya is known for her striking fashion sense. The actor has dominated red carpet after red carpet with her impeccable taste, and fans all over the world have fawned over her stunning looks. Whether she's promoting her work or attending the Met Gala, Zendaya is showing up and showing out. Fashion is a major part of Zendaya's identity, too. "Another thing that I feel like helped me create an avenue and a lane of my own that was outside of Disney Channel was fashion," she told Issa Rae . And as is typical for Zendaya, her road to becoming a fashion icon was strategic. "I would show up to s**t I had no business being at just so I can get the look."

Soon enough Zendaya was attending events she certainly had business attending, and in 2021, she was honored with the CFDA Fashion Icon Award , becoming the youngest recipient of the prestigious appellation that's been given to women like Rihanna, Beyonce, and Naomi Campbell. Before she received this award, Zendaya worked with an array of legendary fashion names, including Tommy Hilfiger. The actor worked as a brand ambassador for the fashion house, a position that earned her clout in the industry. "Fashion is more than just wearing cool clothes. It's a way to celebrate self-expression and individuality, which is extremely empowering," she told Vogue of her relationship with fashion.

She's dating Spider-Man

After starring in "Spider-Man" with him, Zendaya and Tom Holland took their on-screen romance off-screen and started dating. The pair had met long before acting in a movie together, though, and their chemistry was strong enough to spark dating rumors before they officially became a couple. "He says when we first met it was super awkward because he went for a handshake and I went for a hug. But I don't remember that. I thought it was cool," she told Variety of their first interaction.

The two have a sweet relationship and always talk about each other in high regard, whether it be via social media or in an interview. "Happiest of birthdays to the one who makes me the happiest," Zendaya posted on Instagram for Holland's birthday. "An incredible achievement for the most incredible person," Holland gushed on Instagram when Zendaya won the CFDA Fashion Icon Award. Aside from the occasional post and interview, the two are fairly private about their relationship.

Zendaya's an Emmy-winning actor

Over the past decade, Zendaya has built a successful and impressive career in film and television. One of the most popular shows on television in 2022 was HBO's "Euphoria," in which Zendaya's character, Rue, copes with substance abuse while navigating high school. The show has been controversial since its inception in 2019, as many critics claim it inaccurately portrays the life of high schoolers.

While those criticisms may be valid, what all viewers can agree on is the talent displayed by the young cast, particularly Zendaya. The star not only leads the cast but serves as an executive producer alongside the show's creator Sam Levinson, as well as rapper Drake. To date, the show has been nominated for 25 Emmy Awards and has taken home nine, with Zendaya winning the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series award in 2020 and 2022. She was also nominated for 3 other "Euphoria"-related Emmys , including Outstanding Drama Series for her role as executive producer on the show. "People actually saying I did a good job at my craft ... it's like, 'Damn, I did work hard. I'm glad you see that,'" she gushed in an interview with Elle . Playing such an emotionally complex character with a dark past hasn't been easy for Zendaya, but it's paid off. "I think 'Euphoria' taught me a lot about myself. It made me more confident in my own abilities, because I doubted myself a lot," she revealed in her Elle chat.

She became an ambassador for Louis Vuitton

2023 is officially the year of Zendaya. The actor-turned-model and singer has two movies lined up for release: "Challengers," a tennis drama directed by Luca Guadagnino, and the second installment of "Dune," directed by Denis Villeneuve. In the midst of her busy schedule, Zendaya has also found time to collaborate with one of the most notable designers in the world: Louis Vuitton. In April 2023, Vogue announced that Zendaya will be taking on the role of ambassador for the prestigious brand. Such an honorable collaboration has been a long time coming for the young actor, who time and time again has made headlines for her bold and daring fashion. "I just enjoy clothes and playing with them and creating new characters," Zendaya says of her approach. "That's what I find fun about fashion, it's transformative quality, it's ability to be like storytelling."

Her efforts haven't gone unnoticed. Zendaya's first campaign was shot by Mert and Marcus and features the actor with the luxurious Capucines handbag. Vogue notes that the collaboration feels like a full-circle moment for the actor, who grew up admiring LV campaigns. "There was this one that I loved from the early 2000s of Naomi Campbell, and she's like sprawled out over a trunk... I can see the image in my head and I remember seeing it in magazines as a kid."Fashion lovers everywhere can agree that this is an incredibly exciting and long-awaited collaboration.

Zendaya owns her own mansion

After scoring roles in some popular and lucrative films, as well as starring in some of the biggest television shows for children and young adults in the past century, Zendaya's built quite the net worth. The actor is worth an estimated $20 million, per Celebrity Net Worth , and she began using it early into adulthood. The actor moved into her own mansion when she was just 20 years old. Moving into her own home was a major step for Zendaya, one that signified more responsibility than just what comes with taking care of a house. "I had grown up — I moved out, and it was time for me to be the sole voice in my career and make my own choices. I just had too many people I was trying to please, too many opinions, and I was constantly talked out of following my gut and my instinct... I grew up really, really fast," she told Elle .

Despite being one of the most famous women on the planet, Zendaya still feels grounded at home. When asked by Vogue where she feels most at home, Zendaya simply replied, "At home," adding, "my dog makes me feel most at home."

Euphoria inspired her to create music again

Playing Rue on "Euphoria" challenged Zendaya in many ways but the role also allowed her to reconnect with music. British singer and rapper Labrinth was heavily featured on Euphoria's soundtrack, and the two collaborated on two tracks for the show, "All of Us" and "I'm Tired," the latter of which was nominated for an Emmy. NME reports that the actor shocked the world when she joined Labrinth's 2023 Coachella set to sing both songs, marking her first live performance in almost eight years. Zendaya took to Instagram to thank her supporters after her surprise appearance, writing: "I cannot express my gratitude enough for this magical night. Thank you for my brother Labrinth for inviting me and giving me the most beautiful safe space to be on stage again." She continued: "And to the crowd tonight... wow. My heart is so full. I can't thank you enough for the love I received tonight, made all my nerves melt away. I'm so grateful." 

In an interview with Allure , Zendaya explains why she took a step back from music. "There's a layer of personal life that I think actors get that music artists don't. They have no character to hide behind, so they have to be very open. [As actors] we get a little bit of a separation." Still, she admits that she loves making music, and that working on the "Euphoria" songs was "fun."

These comfortable shoe styles are trending for summer — including this '70s throwback

  • Share this —

Health & Wellness

  • Watch Full Episodes
  • Read With Jenna
  • Inspirational
  • Relationships
  • TODAY Table
  • Newsletters
  • Start TODAY
  • Shop TODAY Awards
  • Citi Concert Series
  • Listen All Day

Follow today

More Brands

  • On The Show
  • TODAY Plaza

Zendaya opens up about the 1st time she felt she had power in her career

There were no studio execs looking on, no makeup department and craft services consisted of snacks everyone brought to share. But there was a (minimal) film crew, and two longtime collaborators: the actor Zendaya and "Euphoria" writer-director Sam Levinson.

Together, in the middle of a pandemic, the pair made the film “Malcolm & Marie,” which chronicles a tumultuous night in the life of a couple in the film industry. It has sparked awards show buzz, praise and criticism .

Zendaya

Zendaya, 24, who not only acted in the film but also produced and helped finance it, told The Hollywood Reporter making the film helped her process the tumultuous last year of the pandemic and also connected her back to acting.

“I felt like in a huge way this movie helped me retap into myself and find myself again,” she said, saying being on set helped to remind herself that “this is what I’m here for. This is what brings me joy, this is what fulfills me.”

"I could have a little bit of power..."

This wasn't the first time the former-Disney star felt empowered by her work. Back in 2013, she helped create the Disney series "K.C. Undercover." During her new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she reflected on that moment when she did something on her own terms.

"That was my first time realizing that I could have a little bit of power and request things that I wanted," Zendaya said. "It was hugely important to me that it was a Black family being showcased. I just thought that that was important from the Disney Channel, considering that I know I watched it as a kid, and what I connected to the most was 'That's So Raven.'"

Disney Channel's "K.C. Undercover" - Season One

She added, "I think it's always important for kids to see themselves reflected on the screen, and when you're making child programming you have a little bit of an extra responsibility there."

This isn't the first time she has opened up about this defining moment in her career. She talked taking on the title role of K.C. Cooper, a confident tech wiz who is trained in martial arts, during an interview with the Seattle Times back in 2017.

"The only reason I wanted to come back to the Disney Channel is because there was a lack of diversity at that time," she said. "There weren't any leads or families of color, and I felt like that was something that needed to happen. And I thought the idea of a girl doing a 'guy role' was really important. Young women are able to look at the screen and see that they can be anything, that they can do it all. A little boy can look up to a girl and say, 'I want to be like this girl.' And that's awesome."

“This is as indie as a film gets”

Zendaya said in order to channel the right emotion into her character Marie in "Malcom & Marie," she considered her own difficulties during the pandemic, a time, she said, when she didn’t feel like herself. Admitting she “wasn’t doing very well” helped her open up on screen.

MALCOLM & MARIE

“We were able to have a little bit more fun once I could tap into a moment that felt tough for me to admit,” she said. “Nobody wants to say that you feel like something's wrong, and, 'I don’t know what’s wrong with me.'”

Once she was able to tap into those emotions, Zendaya used her character of Marie as a catalyst to let some things out. “And I think I needed it,” she said.

Zendaya, who didn’t leave the house for 40 days at the beginning of the pandemic, was stuck inside at home (like all of us), and would call Levinson to talk about ideas. “I just wanted to be experimental and creative,” she said.

The pair made the film with a skeleton crew, and it has already generated Academy Award buzz and been nominated for a Critics Choice Award. The film was made with about two dozen people and under strict health and safety guidelines.

“This is as indie as a film gets,” Zendaya joked, saying she did much of the production on her own (except for sewing, which, she says, she’s not very good at). She did her own hair and makeup.

“The motivation behind this film was to get our crew back to work and hopefully get everybody paid in a time where nobody was making any money,” she said. That, she did accomplish: the film sold to Netflix for $30 million, and Zendaya made sure the crew were given shares .

zendaya short biography

Pop Culture Zendaya shoos away criticism of 12-year age gap with 'Malcolm & Marie' co-star

In addition to the film being nominated for a Critics Choice Award, Zendaya herself will receive the SeeHer Award , which recognizes women who “push boundaries, defy stereotypes and acknowledge the importance of authentic portrayals of women across the entertainment landscape.” The awards show is Sunday.

zendaya short biography

Savannah Chrisley shares update on mom Julie Chrisley after her sentence was overturned

zendaya short biography

Boa constrictor gives birth to 14 baby snakes after living alone for nearly a decade

Pets & animals.

zendaya short biography

Ice Spice says the song of the summer is clear: 'I don't think we have a choice'

zendaya short biography

A guide to all the real-life chefs who appear in ‘The Bear’ Season 3

zendaya short biography

Joey Chestnut is competing in another hot dog eating contest on July 4 following ‘ban’

zendaya short biography

Anthony Nesty’s role as US Olympic men’s swimming head coach is a ‘vision’ fulfilled. Why it’s historic

Paris olympics.

zendaya short biography

A childhood memory helped lead Joseph Gordon-Levitt to star with Eddie Murphy in new 'Beverly Hills Cop'

zendaya short biography

Pit bull's heart stops after being stabbed while protecting family home. Now, his tail wags again

zendaya short biography

Kylie Kelce recalls meeting 'queens' Erin Andrews, Charissa Thompson at Taylor Swift's 'Eras Tour'

Pop culture.

zendaya short biography

How Zac Efron broke his jaw years before starring in ‘A Family Affair’

Health & wellness.

Facts.net

32 Facts About Zendaya

Rosemonde Crone

Written by Rosemonde Crone

Modified & Updated: 30 May 2024

Jessica Corbett

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

32-facts-about-zendaya

Zendaya, the charismatic and multi-talented actress, singer, and fashion icon, has taken the world by storm with her extraordinary talent and infectious personality. Known for her empowering and boundary-breaking performances, Zendaya has become a household name and a role model for millions of fans across the globe.

In this article, we will delve into 32 fascinating facts about Zendaya that showcase her exceptional journey and highlight why she has gained such immense popularity in the entertainment industry. From her early life and breakthrough in Hollywood to her remarkable achievements and philanthropic efforts, we will uncover the lesser-known aspects of Zendaya’s life that contribute to her inspiring success story.

So, get ready to be captivated by this talented star as we explore the intriguing facts about Zendaya that make her a force to be reckoned with in the world of celebrities.

Key Takeaways:

  • Zendaya is a multi-talented superstar who started as a child model and rose to fame as an actress, singer, and fashion icon. She’s also an advocate for body positivity and social activism.
  • With over 100 million Instagram followers, Zendaya is a role model for young girls, breaking barriers in Hollywood and using her platform to support important causes like education and clean water initiatives.

Zendaya’s full name is Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman.

Born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California, Zendaya is known globally by her first name.

Zendaya began her career as a child model.

Before making it big in the entertainment industry, she worked as a model for brands like Macy’s and Old Navy.

She rose to prominence with her role as Rocky Blue in the Disney Channel series “Shake It Up.”

Zendaya’s breakthrough came in 2010 when she starred in the popular TV show alongside Bella Thorne.

Zendaya is a multi-talented artist.

She is not only an actress but also a singer, dancer, and fashion model.

She released her debut single, “Replay,” in 2013.

The song became a hit and peaked at number 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Zendaya became the youngest contestant ever on “Dancing with the Stars.”

At the age of 16, she participated in the show’s 16th season and finished in second place.

She starred as MJ in the superhero film “Spider-Man: Homecoming.”

Her portrayal of a strong and independent character gained her even more recognition.

Zendaya voiced the character of Meechee in the animated film “Smallfoot.”

Her voice acting skills added charm to the character in the 2018 film.

She co-produced and starred in the HBO drama series “Euphoria.”

The show, which explores the lives of teenagers dealing with various issues, earned her critical acclaim.

Zendaya won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for “Euphoria.”

Her remarkable performance made her the youngest actress to ever win in this category.

She has been an advocate for body positivity.

Zendaya has spoken out against body shaming and encourages self-acceptance.

Zendaya is a fashion icon.

She has graced numerous red carpets in stunning and unique outfits, earning her praise from the fashion industry.

She became the youngest-ever ambassador for Lancôme in 2019.

Zendaya’s collaboration with the luxury beauty brand showcases her influence and impact.

Zendaya starred as Chani in the sci-fi epic “Dune.”

The 2021 film further showcased her versatility as an actress.

She is passionate about social activism.

Zendaya has used her platform to advocate for important causes like Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ rights.

Zendaya has won numerous awards throughout her career.

Her talent has been recognized by prestigious organizations such as the NAACP Image Awards and the Teen Choice Awards.

She has over 100 million followers on Instagram.

Zendaya’s popularity on social media is a testament to her widespread appeal.

She actively supports education initiatives.

Zendaya has donated to organizations promoting access to education for underprivileged children.

Zendaya has her own clothing line called Daya by Zendaya.

The fashion line offers stylish and affordable clothing options.

She is fluent in English and French.

Zendaya’s language skills add to her international appeal.

Zendaya has a close relationship with her fans.

She often engages with them on social media and appreciates their support.

She is a spokesperson for Convoy of Hope.

Zendaya actively participates in charity work and raises awareness for important causes.

Zendaya is of African American, German, and Scottish descent.

Her diverse heritage adds to her unique and beautiful features.

She has collaborated with various music artists.

Zendaya has worked with artists like Chris Brown, Zac Efron , and Bruno Mars.

She has a strong fashion influence on young women.

Zendaya’s style choices inspire her fans to express their individuality through fashion.

Zendaya’s favorite color is green.

She has mentioned her love for the color in interviews.

She is a fan of basketball.

Zendaya has been spotted attending NBA games and supporting her favorite teams.

Zendaya is an ambassador for the UNICEF Tap Project.

This initiative helps provide clean drinking water to children in need around the world.

She has a close-knit relationship with her family.

Zendaya often expresses her gratitude and love for her parents and siblings.

She is a role model for young girls.

Zendaya’s confidence, talent, and activism inspire young girls to believe in themselves.

Zendaya has a passion for writing.

She enjoys journaling and expressing her thoughts through words.

She continues to break barriers in Hollywood.

Zendaya’s success serves as a reminder of the importance of representation in the entertainment industry.

Zendaya is undoubtedly one of the most talented and versatile celebrities in the entertainment industry. With her impressive acting skills, powerful vocals, and captivating presence, she has won the hearts of millions worldwide. From her breakthrough role on Disney Channel to becoming an influential figure in the fashion industry, Zendaya continues to inspire and empower people of all ages.

With an impressive list of accomplishments and a bright future ahead, Zendaya’s impact on popular culture is undeniable. She has become a role model for many , using her platform to advocate for important causes and champion diversity and inclusivity.

As her career continues to soar, fans eagerly anticipate what Zendaya will conquer next. She has proven time and time again that she is a force to be reckoned with and that her talent knows no bounds.

Q: How old is Zendaya?

A: Zendaya was born on September 1, 1996, making her currently 25 years old .

Q: What is Zendaya’s real name?

A: Zendaya’s full name is Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman.

Q: What was Zendaya’s breakthrough role?

A: Zendaya gained widespread recognition for her role as Rocky Blue on the Disney Channel series “Shake It Up,” which aired from 2010 to 2013.

Q: Has Zendaya released any music?

A: Yes, Zendaya has pursued a successful music career and has released several singles and an eponymous debut studio album.

Q: What awards has Zendaya won?

A: Zendaya has received numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a BET Award, and multiple Teen Choice Awards.

Q: Does Zendaya have any siblings?

A: Yes, Zendaya has five siblings, two sisters and three brothers.

Q: Is Zendaya involved in any philanthropic work?

A: Yes, Zendaya has been actively involved in various charitable causes, including initiatives focused on education, anti-bullying, and environmental sustainability.

Zendaya's incredible journey from child model to Emmy-winning actress is truly inspiring. Her talent, dedication, and passion for making a positive impact shine through in every aspect of her life. If you enjoyed learning about Zendaya's fascinating career and personal life, you might also be interested in exploring the story of Law Roach, a celebrity stylist who has worked with some of Hollywood's biggest names. Discover the intriguing facts behind this fashion industry powerhouse and gain insight into the world of celebrity styling.

Was this page helpful?

Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

Share this Fact:

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman Biography

Birthday: September 1 , 1996 ( Virgo )

Born In: Oakland, California, United States

Zendaya Coleman has a multi-faceted personality- she is an actress, singer and dancer who has a mixed ethnicity. The singer is a broadminded person who deals with racist comments with a lot of maturity. She is a vegetarian whose favorite show is ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.’ She is a fan of Michael Jackson and would have liked him to be her ‘Dancing with the Stars’ partner but in his absence she would prefer Roshon Fegan. In 2013 Zendaya joined the club of young authors when she wrote the book ‘Between U and Me: How to Rock Your Tween Years with Style and Confidence.’ While growing up she acted in several stage productions and assisted her mother to seat patrons and sold raffle tickets to benefit the theater. At the same time she also trained at the theater’s student conservatory program.

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman

Recommended For You

Sydney Sweeney Biography

Also Known As: Zendaya

Age: 27 Years , 27 Year Old Females

father: Kazembe Ajamu Coleman

mother: Claire Stoermer

siblings: AnnaBella Stoermer Coleman, Austin Stoermer Coleman, Julien Stoermer Coleman, Katianna Stoermer Coleman, Kaylee Stoermer Coleman

Born Country: United States

Actresses Pop Singers

Height: 5'10" (178 cm ), 5'10" Females

Notable Alumni: Oak Park High School

Ancestry: German American

U.S. State: California

City: Oakland, California

education: Oak Park High School

Recommended Lists:

Follow Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman On:

Facebook Link

Quote Of The Day | Top 100 Quotes

Singh, D.

How To Cite

People Also Viewed

Sydney Sweeney Biography

Also Listed In

© Famous People All Rights Reserved

Short Biography

July 3, 2024

Life Story of Famous People

Short Bio » TV Actress » Zendaya Coleman

Zendaya Coleman

Zendaya Coleman

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman known simply as Zendaya , is an American actress, singer, and dancer. Zendaya was born in Oakland, California, the daughter of Claire Marie (Stoermer) and Kazembe Ajamu (born Samuel David Coleman). Her father is African-American, with roots in Arkansas; her mother is white, with German and Scottish ancestry.

In 2010 she starred in the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up as Rocky Blue. She has starred in two films and played one of the lead roles in the film Frenemies as Halley Brandon. She voiced Fern in the Pixie Hollow Games . She appeared in Good Luck Charlie as Rocky Blue and in a Good Luck Charlie and Shake It Up crossover title Charlie Shakes It Up . She appeared on PrankStars as herself in the episode “Walk The Prank” and on A.N.T. Farm as Sequoia Jones in the episode “Creative ConsultANT.” On August 6, 2013, Zendaya released her debut book, Between U and Me: How to Rock Your Tween Years with Style and Confidence . In 2013 Zendaya started work on a clothing line, inspired on her clothes on Shake It Up , the Shake It Up Dance Clothing Line by Zendaya . The collection features fun clothes for active girls, legwarmers, shorts, jackets, headbands and athletic apparel and accessories.

More Info: Wiki | IG | Twitter | FB | Tumblr | G+

Fans Also Viewed

Sydney Park

Published in Actress

Nicole Mary Kidman

More Celebrities

  • Zendaya Media
  • Role Models
  • Shake It Up
  • Edit source

Zendaya (born: Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman ; September 1, 1996) is a German-American/Scottish-American/African-American actress, singer & dancer. She has been acting since she was 6 years old and has best-known roles in the Disney Channel original series, Shake It Up as Raquel "Rocky" Blue . She also starred as Halley Brandon in the film Frenemies and as Sequoia in A.N.T. Farm. In her music career, She is signed to Hollywood Records. She finished as the runner-up on Dancing With The Stars being the youngest finalist on the series. She has also played Zoey in the 2014 movie Zapped and is also known as K.C. Cooper in the 2015 series K.C. Undercover .

  • 1.1 1996-2010: Early life and career beginning
  • 1.2 2011-present: Shake It Up, music, and films
  • 2 Personal life
  • 3 Photo Gallery
  • 4 Video Gallery
  • 5.2 Television
  • 6.1 Released Songs
  • 7 Awards and Nominations
  • 8 External Links

Biography [ ]

1996-2010: early life and career beginning [ ].

My name means "to give thanks" in the language of Shona, which is an African language. It was originally Chendaya or something like that, but my dad was really a fan of Z's at the time. All my brothers and sisters have Zs in their names. So he added that, plus the whole "Zen" factor. So it's kind of a creation, plus a little bit of the language, so it's really cool.

Zendaya, whose name means "to give thanks" in Shona, was born as Zendaya Coleman on September 1, 1996 in Oakland, California to interracial parents, Claire Stoermer, who is of Irish, German, English, and Scottish ancestry and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman (born as Samuel David Coleman), who is of black ancestry. She grew up as part of California Shakespeare Theater in Orinda, California where her mother worked as the House Manager.

Imgresz6

Young Zendaya

In addition to training at the theater's student conservatory program, and later performing in numerous stage productions, Zendaya helped her mother seat patrons and sell betting tickets to benefit the theater.If i die do water bottles become people?

While attending the Oakland School for the Arts, she starred as a young Ti Moune in Once on This Island at the Berkley Playhouse and in the breakout role of the male character Joe in Caroline, or Change at Palo Alto's TheaterWorks. She also studied her craft at the CalShakes Conservatory program and at the American Conservatory Theater.

Her other stage credits include Richard III , Twelfth Night , and As You Like It , among others. Zendaya began her professional career working as a fashion model for Macy's, Mervyns and Old Navy.

Zendaya was in a dance group called "Future Shock Oakland" where they performed hip-hop and hula dances.

Zendaya Coleman Shoulder Length Hairstyles AvHXzikQlD5l

She was appeared in an iCarly toys commercial with future A.N.T. Farm actress Stefanie Scott (as young Sam) where she played as young Carly. She also appeared as a backup dancer in a Sears commercial with fellow Disney Channel star Selena Gomez.

She did backup vocals for the song I'm Gonna Arrive. In 2009, she was a featured performer in the Kidz Bop music video for its cover of the song "Hot N Cold" which is originally sung by Katy Perry. The song was featured on Kidz Bop 15.

Zendaya auditioned in November 2009 for the role of Cecelia "CeCe" Jones so she could join the cast of "Dance Dance Chicago" (later changed to Shake It Up). Then she was asked to read the script for Mickey Red which was later changed to Raquel "Rocky" Blue. She auditioned for Rocky because she related more to her.

The character, Rocky Blue is a smart and innocent girl who lives her dream to become a dancer with her friend CeCe.

For her audience, she sang a cover of Michael Jackson's Leave Me Alone. In January 2010, it was announced that she got the role of Rocky Blue. She had a theater background before her casting. She was discovered by the same agent who discovered Miley Cyrus. She got the role after seven auditions and was picked from 200 other girls. Judy Taylor, senior vice president of casting for Disney Channel, explained that Zendaya is completely engaging with a great presence.

Z

Shake It Up is about two best friends who attempt to realize their dream of becoming professional dancers by landing spots on a popular local show. On November 7, 2010, Shake It Up premiered with its first episode Start It Up with largest 6.2 million views. After the premiere of Shake It Up, they had a premiere party.

On November 15, she and Bella appeared on Radio Disney. Zendaya and Bella Thorne met Debby Ryan at the Forever 21 special event on November 17, 2010.

The cast of Shake It Up appeared on Radio Disney on November 20, 2010. The music video for the Shake It Up theme song was released on December 3, 2010.

Zendaya and the cast of Shake It Up are attended at Bella Thorne's Christmas Party on December 16, 2010. For the Disney Channel New Year event, the cast of Shake It Up hosted a New Year's Eve special titled Shake It Up New Years.

2011-present: Shake It Up, music, and films [ ]

S

Zendaya on Shake It Up with Bella Thorne

For Disney Channel's JaNEWary, two new Shake It Up episodes premiered Wild It Up (3rd) and Match It Up (23rd). Zendaya and Bella are appeared at the screening of Gnomeo and Juliet at the red carpet.

On February 10, 2011, she attends at the screening of Never Say Never at the red carpet. Zendaya and Bella were on the cover of Tiger Beat magazine in March 2011. Zendaya and Bella Thorne went to Millions Of Milkshakes event on March 4, 2011, to make milkshakes and dance for fans.

On March 18, the cast of Shake It Up appeared on Good Morning America to talk about their show and to dance. On March 15, she appeared on Good Day New York. Zendaya and the cast of Shake It Up performed Shake It Up with Selena Gomez at the Disney/ABC upfront event on March 17.

Zendaya appeared on the WPIX 11 News in the morning to talk about the show and new music, on March 18, 2011. On March 23, a preview of Swag It Out was released. Zendaya and Bella visited Paris, France on March 27, 2011, to promote Shake It Up. A Rocky Blue doll was released in Fall 2011 in the Disney V.I.P. doll lineup. On March 30, Disney Channel announced that Shake It Up would have a second season.

Zendaya and Bella Thorne are visited to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. on March 30, 2011. Zendaya attended Boston World Of Wheels on April 2, 2011. Zendaya and Bella met Ashley Tisdale at the screening of Sharpay Fabulous Adventure at the red carpet.

Zendaya and Bella began filming Frenemies in Canada in April 2011. She performed Swag It Out at the Myrtle Beach Sun Festival 2011 in April. Good Luck Charlie had a crossover with Shake It Up titled "Charlie Shakes It Up".

Aqua-Penguin127

Zendaya releases her first single "Swag It Out" on May 30, 2011. The song was written and produced by Bobby Brackins and Glenn A. Foster. A preview of the music video was released on June 10, 2011.

Zendaya appear in a short film called Bad Girls Don't Die directed by Kate Alender to promote the novel "From Bad to Cursed".

Her second single "Watch Me" was released on June 19, 2011, The song's vocals are featured with her co-star Bella Thorne. The song was produced and written by Ben Charles, Aron Harmon, and Jim Wes. The song peak at #63 on Billboard Hot Digital Single on Billboard Hot 100 at #86 and at US Heat at #9.

Zendaya coleman 22nd annual time for heroes celebrity picnic los angeles 12 june 2011 O4sF8mV

Zendaya and Bella Thorne released a clothing line for their show called The CeCe and Rocky Collection on June 27. On July 5, she and Bella were interviewed by KTLA about their single Watch Me.

Zendaya was on the cover of Dream Magazine in July 2011. Zendaya was on the Red Team for Disney's Friends For Change Games which was the winning team.

Zendaya attends Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension on August 7, 2011 at the red carpet. Shake It Up's second season premiered on September 18, 2011. The cast of Shake It Up are attended at the D23 Expo and danced there.

Zendaya celebrates her 15th birthday party at the beach. Zendaya promoted Shake It Up on WLS-TV in Chicago on September 5, 2011.

Zendaya and Australian musician Cody Simpson guest-starred on PrankStars episode Walk the Prank on September 23, 2011. Zendaya attended Cody Simpson album release party on September 20. She attended the Teen Vogue Young Hollywood party.

Zendaya attends Real Steel at the red carpet on October 2, 2011. On November 19, 2011, Zendaya voiced in Pixie Hollow Games as Fern. On October 15, 2011, Zendaya and Bella Thorne attended the Make Your Mark event. Zendaya, Bella Thorne, Davis Cleveland appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on October 14.

Zendaya and dozens of celebrities attended Radio Disney's Next Big Thing event on October 17. She attended at the Variety's Power Of Youth event on October 22. Zendaya read stories to children at Ronald McDonald Halloween Carnival on October 24. Zendaya and Bella were on the cover of Total Girl magazine.

On October 28, Zendaya released her third single "Dig Down Deeper on Radio Disney. On November 24, Zendaya performs Dig Down Deeper at Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. On November 5, she appeared on Radio Disney and taught dances on the show. Dig Down Deeper music video was released on November 7, 2011.

On November 19, Zendaya performed the U.S. national anthem at the Bloomington Blaze Hockey Games. On 25, Zendaya and Bella had a dance battle for the Zswaggers and Bella won while crying. On November 28, Zendaya was on the cover of Kontrol magazine.

Zendaya Coleman 2011 Disney Kids Family Upfront D6pij4mLtywl

Zendaya and Bella Thorne performed Watch Me at the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade on Christmas Day and met Canadian musician Justin Bieber. On December 15, the Swag It Out music video was released. On December 7, she did a cover of White Christmas.

On December 19, 2011, Zendaya and Bella appeared on Good Morning America to promote Frenemies.

In January 2012, Zendaya was appeared on a cover of Seventeen magazine. Zendaya and Bella were on the cover of Girl Life magazine. Zendaya got nominated for an NAACP Image Award but sadly not winning. On January 21, Zendaya and Bella had a return to Millions of Milkshakes to make more milkshakes for fans.

The soundtrack's single "Something To Dance For" was released on February 29, 2012, on Radio Disney and the music video was released on March 9. The song was featured on the soundtrack Shake it Up: Live 2 Dance which was released on February 20.

Zendaya was appeared on Phineas and Ferb's Platypus Walk music video. She attends John Carter at the red carpet with Bella Thorne. Zendaya and Bella Thorne are arrived to the Dancing With The Stars set to support with her co-star Roshon Fegan on March 20.

On March 24, 2012, Zendaya and Bella Thorne visited Disney to promote their show's soundtrack. On March 27, Zendaya and Bella toured to Dubai and perform "Something To Dance For/TTYLXOX" and left Dubai on April 2.

On April 6, Zendaya appeared on Disney's Friends For Change PSA to stop bullying. At the Easter Egg Roll 2012, Zendaya performed My All , Swag It Out, Something To Dance For and others.

On April 12, Zendaya was appeared on Disney Channel's Whodunit Weekend with the episode of Shake it Up titled "Whodunit Up".

In March 2013, Zendaya became a contestant on the 16th season of the ABC dance competition show Dancing with the Stars . She beat out Shawn Johnson as the youngest contestant ever to be on the show. Her professional partner was Val Chmerkovskiy. Despite receiving praise from the judges and adding highest scores throughout the season, she placed runner-up on the last night, losing out to eventual winner Kellie Pickler and her partner, Derek Hough. Her debut single, "Replay" was released as the album's lead single on July 16, 2013. The song debuted at number 77 and reached the peak of 40 on Billboard Hot 100, making Replay her first Top 40 and was certified platinum by RIAA. The song also made appearances on the New Zealand and Canadian charts, peaking at number 18 and 83 respectively. Zendaya's self-titled debut album was released on September 17, 2013, by Hollywood Records and debuted on the Billboard 200 at number 51, selling around 7,458 copies in its first week.

Also in that year, Zendaya filmed a 2014 movie titled Zapped , that will be released in summer. In early 2014, Zendaya filmed a pilot for the Disney Channel series K.C. Undercover . Zendaya will also co-produce "Super Awesome Katy" which is the working title. Zendaya released two promotional videos for the song " My Baby ", the album version on January 28, 2014, and the remix version, featuring hip-hop rapper Ty Dolla $ign, on February 15, 2014. In May 2014, it was reported Zendaya had been cast as the lead in a new Disney Channel original series K.C. Undercover and will begin production in the summer for an early 2015 release.

Personal life [ ]

Zendaya Coleman John Carter Premiere k9SHeF5EXiKl

Zendaya currently lives in Los Angeles with her large family, a pet Giant Schnauzer dog named Midnight. Her interests include singing, dancing and designing fashion.

Zendaya wished that just as theater led her to television, Shake It Up ! would lead her to opportunities in the music industry for some days, which it already has. In October 2010, Zendaya explained Variety , "I love singing and would love to record an album at some point."

Zendaya filmed Shake It Up in July 2010 and ended production in 2013. Her official Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, Mobli, and Instagram is "Zendaya", "Zendaya", "Zendaya" "Zendaya", and "Sunday area". Bella Thorne is her co-star and best friend, and they used to wake up in the morning to began filming their show. She considers Roshon Fegan as a brother. Zendaya has been starstruck by Justin Bieber and Cat Deeley when she meets them. Her motto is Don't Forget To Smile. Since Disney Channel canceled Shake It Up ! , Zendaya will be starring in the DCOM Zapped based on a book called Boys are Dogs and new series K.C. Undercover .

Photo Gallery [ ]

The photo gallery for Zendaya may be viewed here .

Video Gallery [ ]

The video gallery for Zendaya may be viewed here .

Filmography [ ]

Year Title Role Notes
2011 Fern Voice role
2012 Halley Brandon Main role, Disney Channel Original Movie
2014 Main role, Disney Channel Original Movie
2017 Michelle Jones Supporting role,

Marvel Cinematic Universe

2017 The Greatest Showman Anne Wheeler Supporting role,

Feature film

2018 Duck, Duck, Goose Chi Voice role
2018 Smallfoot Meechee Voice role
2019 Spider-Man: Far From Home Michelle Jones Supporting role,

Marvel Cinematic Universe

2021 Space Jam: A New Legacy Lola Bunny Voice role
2021 Dune Chani Supporting role,

Feature film

2021 Spider-Man: No Way Home Michelle Jones Supporing role,

Marvel Cinematic

Universe

2024 Chani Supporting role,

Feature film

2024 Tashi Donaldson Main Role, MGM Studios

Television [ ]

Year Title Role Notes
2010 - 2013 Main role; Disney Channel Original Series
2011 Crossover episode: "Charlie Shakes It Up!"
2011 Herself
2011 Herself Episode: "Walk the Plank"
2012 Sequoia Jones Episode: "creative consultANT"
2015-2018 K.C. Cooper Lead role; Disney Channel Original Series
2015 Black-ish Rasheida Episode: "Daddy's Day"
2017 Walk the Prank Herself Episode: "K.C. Undercover Edition"
Year Title Role Notes
2009 Performer Music video. She confirmed in an interview that she wasn't the singer; she was lip-synching.
2011 Sunshine girl Book trailer:

Discography [ ]

Released songs [ ].

Album Notes
2011 &

2:55

Music video:

2011 Zendaya

Single

3:12 Music video:
2011 Zendaya Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust 3:08

theme song Music video:

2012 Zendaya / Make  Your Mark 2:42 soundtrack
2012 Zendaya & 2:58

soundtrack Music video:

2012 Zendaya & Bella Thorne Shake It Up: Made In Japan 2:44 Preview:
2012 Zendaya & Bella Thorne Shake It Up: Made In Japan 2:56 Preview:
2012 Zendaya & Bella Thorne Shake It Up: Made In Japan 3:34 -
2012 Zendaya & Bella Thorne 2:15
2012 Zendaya & Bella Thorne 2:56
2013 Zendaya & Bella Thorne 3:07
2013 Zendaya & Bella Thorne 2:15
2013 Zendaya 3:16
2013 Zendaya Walmart Bonus Track 2:26
2013 Zendaya 3:29
2014 Zendaya TBA 3:07
2015 Zendaya TBA 2:36
My Jam 2015 Bobby Brackins ft. Zendaya and Jeremiah To Live For 4:45
Neverland 2015 Zendaya Finding Neverland: The Album 3:45
Something New 2016 Zendaya & Chris Brown 3:34

Awards and Nominations [ ]

Year Award Category Work Result
2011 Outstanding Young Ensemble in a TV Series Nominated
2012 Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program (Series or Special) Nominated
2013 2 place in Dancing Runners-Up
(2 place)

External Links [ ]

  • Official Website
  • Zendaya on Twitter
  • Zendaya on Facebook
  • Zendaya at the Internet Movie Database
  • Zendaya on Instagram
This page uses content from ( .
  • 1 Kazembe Coleman
  • 2 Claire Stoermer

Super Stars Bio

Zendaya – Biography, Facts & Life Story

Zendaya American Actress, Singer

Social Media Profiles

Height, weight & physical stats.

Body Measurements 34-25-34 inches
Bodytype Hourglass
Height 583 feet 11 inches (178 m)
Weight 59 kg (130 lbs)
Hair Color Dark Brown
Eye Color Hazel
Nickname Zendaya, Daya, Z, Zen, Boo, and Rocky
Gender female
Age 27 years old (in 2024)
Date of Birth September 1, 1996
Full Name Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman
Profession Actress, Singer
Nationality
Birthplace Oakland, California, US
Religion
Published on August 27, 2019 on 02:22 PM
Zodiac Sign

zendaya short biography

Zendaya Education

Qualification: Graduate

School: Oakland School for the Arts

Zendaya Career

Profession: Actress, Singer

Known For: Famous for starring in Euphoria tv show

Film debut : Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

zendaya short biography

TV Show : Shake It Up (2010)

zendaya short biography

Album : Zendaya (2013)

zendaya short biography

Single : Swag It Out (2011)

zendaya short biography

Net Worth: $5 Million Approx

Family & Relatives

Father: Kazembe Ajamu Coleman

zendaya short biography

Mother: Claire Stoermer

zendaya short biography

Brother: Austin Stoermer Coleman

zendaya short biography

Julien Stoermer Coleman

zendaya short biography

Sister: Katianna Stoermer Coleman

zendaya short biography

Kaylee Stoermer Coleman

zendaya short biography

Annabella Stoermer Coleman

zendaya short biography

Marital Status: In a relationship

Tom Holland

zendaya short biography

Trevor Jackson

zendaya short biography

Related Video

Who is Zendaya?

Zendaya is an American actress, singer, born on 01 September, 1996 in Oakland, California, US.

How old is Zendaya?

Zendaya is 27 years old as of July 2024.

How tall is Zendaya?

Zendaya is 583 feet 11 inches (178 m).

Related Celebrities

Benedict Cumberbatch British Actor

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Privacy Overview

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Primes World

Zendaya Biography, Height, Weight, Age, Movies, Husband, Family, Salary, Net Worth, Facts & More

' src=

Zendaya is an American actress and singer. She has won various awards including her Golden Globe Awards and two Primetime Emmy Awards. Time magazine named her one of her 100 most influential people in the world in its 2022 list. Zendaya ventured into music. In 2011, she released the singles “Swag It Out” and “Watch Me”, the latter a collaboration with Bella Thorne. Signed with Hollywood Records in 2012. 

Zendaya was born in 1 September 1996 (Age: 26 Years, as in 2023) in Oakland, California, US. She completed her schooling at Oakland School for the Arts and completed her graduation. Zendaya is 5 feet and 10 inches tall, and her body weight is around 60 Kg.

Zendaya Biography, Lifestyle, Wiki, Height, Weight, Birthday, Age, Movies, TV Serials, Instagram, Salary, Net Worth, Income, Boyfriend, Family, Father, Mother, Husband, Affairs, Marriage Life, Phone Number, Photos, House, Cars, Awards & Facts

Table of Contents

Biography/Wiki

Zendaya Biography, Height, Weight, Age, Movies, Husband, Family, Salary, Net Worth, Facts & More

Zendaya
Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman
Zendaya, Daya, Z, Zen, Boo, and Rocky
Actress, Singer

Personal Life

Zendaya
1 September 1996
Oakland, California, US
26
Virgo
American
Not Known
Christianity
Oakland, California, US
Zendaya
Oakland School for the Arts
Not Known
Graduation

Physical Statistics And More

How tall is zendaya.

Zendaya
5 feet 10 inches
 178 cm
1.78 m

How much does Zendaya weigh?

Zendaya
60 kg
130 lbs

How old is Zendaya?

ZendayaAge
1 September 1996
26

Body Measurements

Zendaya
Not Known
26 Inches
Not Known
8 (US)
Zendaya
Hazel
Dark Brown

Family & Relationship

Parents & siblings.

Zendaya With Her Father And Mother

Zendaya
Kazembe Ajamu Coleman
Claire Stoermer
Austin Stoermer Coleman, Julien Stoermer Coleman (Brother)
Katianna Stoermer Coleman, Kaylee Stoermer Coleman, Annabella Stoermer Coleman (Sister)

Boy friend & Husband

Zendaya With Trevor Jackson

ZendayaBoy
Trevor Jackson
Tom Holland
Zendaya
Unmarried
N/A
N/A
N/A

Super Buddies (2013)

Zendaya
Super Buddies (2013)
Shake It Up (2010–2013)

What is Zendaya’s Salary ?

Zendaya Charges $1 Million Per Movie and her main source of income is Acting, Modeling, and Brand Endorsements.

Zendaya
 $1 Million
Update Soon
Acting, Modeling, and Brand Endorsements
Not Known

What is Zendaya’s Net Worth?

Zendaya has an estimated total Net Worth of $20 Million.

Zendaya
$20 Million

Cars And Bikes Collection

Zendaya has a lot of luxury Cars collection including :

Some Lesser Known Facts About Zendaya

Some Lesser Known Facts About Zendaya

• Zendaya began her career as a model for Macy’s, Mervyns and Old Navy. She was featured in her iCarly toy ad. She also appeared as a backup dancer in a Sears commercial featuring Disney star Selena Gomez.

• In November 2009, she auditioned for the role of CeCe Jones in the Disney sitcom Shake It Up (then titled Dance Dance Chicago). At her audition, she performed Michael Jackson’s “Leave Me Alone”.

• She was chosen to play Rocky Blue, in Shake It Up which premiered on her November 7, 2010, and was watched by 6.2 million viewers, making her the second highest-grossing Disney movie in 27-year history on the Disney Channel.

• In 2014, Zendaya was a guest judge on an episode of Project Runway.under the gun. As a result, participating designers were given the task of designing an outfit that Zendaya would wear at her next concert.

• About hair After joking about Zendaya, Zendaya went public that many successful people have “locks,” hairstyles that have nothing to do with drugs. Honored Zendaya with her own Barbie doll that imitated her face. This doll is part of Mattel’s Barbie ‘Chellose’ project, which is inspired by women in life.

• Next, she voiced the character of Laura Bunny in Space Jam new heritage. Zendaya drew on her experience of growing up watching the first film as a child and her family’s love of basketball for the role.

• She played Chani in Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi film “Dune”, the first part of the series. Critic Glenn Kenny called her portrayal “more good than reasonable”, while CNN’s Brian Lowry said her role in the protagonist’s vision was limited to “very thin images”.

• Zendaya reprized her role as MJ in Spider-Man for the third time:There is no way to go home. RogerEbert.com’s Brian Tallerico praised Zendaya and Tom Holland chemistry and execution of MJ’s “emotional final punch.”

1. What is the current Net Worth of Zendaya?

At present, the Net Worth of Zendaya is $20 million.

2. Where was Zendaya born?

The birthplace of Zendaya is Hayward, California, United States.

3. What is Zendaya’s true ethnicity?

She believes in Christianity.

4. What is the educational qualification of Zendaya?

Zendaya completed her Graduation.

5. Is Zendaya Married?

Zendaya is unmarried.

Disclaimer: The Data is collected from various sources and some from our own research. These data can be estimated and  Primes World  does not make any claims about the authenticity of the data.

Sasha Calle Biography, Height, Weight, Age, Movies, Husband, Family, Salary, Net Worth, Facts & More

Quintessa Swindell Biography Height Weight Age Movies Husband Family Salary Net Worth Facts More

Quintessa Swindell Biography, Height, Weight, Age, Movies, Husband, Family, Salary, Net Worth, Facts & More

Meredith Holzman Biography Height Weight Age Movies Husband Family Salary Net Worth Facts More

Meredith Holzman Biography, Height, Weight, Age, Movies, Husband, Family, Salary, Net Worth, Facts & More

Jae Suh Park Biography Height Weight Age Movies Husband Family Salary Net Worth Facts More

Jae Suh Park Biography, Height, Weight, Age, Movies, Husband, Family, Salary, Net Worth, Facts & More

Aubree miller biography, height, weight, age, movies, husband, family, salary, net worth, facts & more.

Bee Shaffer Biography Height Weight Age Movies Husband Family Salary Net Worth Facts

Bee Shaffer Biography, Height, Weight, Age, Movies, Husband, Family, Salary, Net Worth, Facts &

Diana Gomez Biography Height Weight Age Movies Husband Family Salary Net Worth Facts More

Diana Gómez Biography, Height, Weight, Age, Movies, Husband, Family, Salary, Net Worth, Facts & More

Bella hadid biography, height, weight, age, movies, husband, family, salary, net worth, facts & more.

Katianna Stoermer Coleman | Biography

Who is katianna stoermer coleman.

Katianna Stoermer Coleman is a celebrity family member. She has mainly gained media limelight and internet fame for being the half-sister of the former Disney actress Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman.

Katianna is one of the six children of her parents, Claire Marie Stoermer Coleman and Kazembe Ajamu. Her siblings include her three sisters, Kaylee, Zendaya, and Annabella, and two brothers, Austin and Julien. Out of them, only  Zendaya is her half sibling , and all others are her biological siblings.

Her Half Sister Zendaya’s Short Bio

Following her successful TV debut, Zendaya landed several music videos and TV works. Her most notable acting job to date includes Good Luck Charlie (2011 TV series), The Greatest Showman (2017 movie), K.C. Undercover (2015-2018 TV series), Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021 movie), Euphoria (2019-2022 TV series), etc.

Besides being an actress, she is also a successful singer. Her hit singles are ‘Watch Me,’ ‘Replay,’ ‘Something to Dance For,’ etc.

Fact-checking and Ethical Concerns

IMAGES

  1. Zendaya Maree A Short Biography

    zendaya short biography

  2. Zendaya

    zendaya short biography

  3. Zendaya Interesting Facts, Age, Biography & FAQ

    zendaya short biography

  4. Zendaya Coleman Biography And Zendaya Coleman Profile

    zendaya short biography

  5. Zendaya (American Actress and Singer)

    zendaya short biography

  6. Zendaya

    zendaya short biography

VIDEO

  1. Zendaya at the Louis Vuitton show during Paris Fashion Week. #zendaya #louisvuitton

  2. Facts about Zendaya you didn't know. #short #shorts #zendaya

  3. Zendaya Exposed: Untold Facts About Her Real Name, Boyfriend, and Hometown

  4. Zendaya's Reaction On "BEST" spiderman😱 #tomholland #zendaya #tobeymaguire #short #tobeymaguire

  5. Zendaya helped Timothée Chalamet decorate his first apartment #shorts

  6. Did you know this about Zendaya? #shorts #youtubeshorts #zendaya

COMMENTS

  1. Zendaya: Biography, Actor, Emmy Winner

    Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman—known professionally by her first name—was born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California. "Zendaya" means "to give thanks" in the language of the ...

  2. Zendaya

    Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman (/ z ə n ˈ d eɪ. ə / ⓘ zən-DAY-ə; born September 1, 1996) is an American actress and singer. Her accolades include two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022.. Born and raised in Oakland, California, Zendaya began her career as a child model and backup dancer.

  3. Zendaya

    Zendaya. Actress: Spider-Man: Homecoming. Zendaya (which means "to give thanks" in the language of Shona) is an American actress and singer born in Oakland, California. She began her career appearing as a child model working for Macy's, Mervyns and Old Navy. She was a backup dancer before gaining prominence for her role as Rocky Blue on the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up (2010) which also ...

  4. Zendaya

    Zendaya (born September 1, 1996, Oakland, California, U.S.) is an American actor, singer, and dancer who first gained fame for comedic roles on the Disney Channel and later transitioned to such serious parts as Rue Bennett in the HBO series Euphoria, for which she won two Emmy Awards.. Early life and Disney career. Zendaya was born to teachers Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu.

  5. Zendaya

    Zendaya. Actress: Spider-Man: Homecoming. Zendaya (which means "to give thanks" in the language of Shona) is an American actress and singer born in Oakland, California. She began her career appearing as a child model working for Macy's, Mervyns and Old Navy. She was a backup dancer before gaining prominence for her role as Rocky Blue on the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up (2010) which also ...

  6. Zendaya

    Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman was born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California. Her parents, Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, were teachers. Zendaya began performing at a young age. She practiced hula (an art form of words, rhythm, and gestures) with the Academy of Hawaiian Arts in Oakland and danced with Future Shock Oakland, a ...

  7. Zendaya Career Timeline: Movie and TV Roles [PHOTOS]

    The show ran from 2010 to 2013. While making her mark as a Disney Channel star, Zendaya appeared in Disney Channel Original Movies like Zapped (2012) and Frenemies (2014). From 2015 to 2018, the ...

  8. Zendaya

    Zendaya BIOGRAPHY. American actress and singer Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman was born September 1, 1996). Known mononymously as Zendaya, she has garnered several awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential persons in the world in 2022. EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

  9. Zendaya Facts

    Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman: Born: September 1, 1996 (age 27) • Oakland • California: Notable Family Members: daughter of Kazembe Ajamu • daughter of Claire Stoermer: Education: Oak Park High School (Oak Park, California) • Oakland School for the Arts (Oakland, California) Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In)

  10. A Profile of the Actor, Dancer, Singer, and Model Zendaya

    Zendaya is a revolutionary icon and celebrity for the younger generation. She is Hollywood's next big thing. With her varied résumé — as an actor, dancer, singer, and model — she is slowly taking over the industry. An icon, a role model, and a celebrity of her own making, Zendaya Coleman, or Zendaya for short, embodies how hard work and ...

  11. Zendaya

    Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, known mononymously as Zendaya, is an American actress and singer. She began her career as a child model and backup dancer, before gaining prominence for her role as Rocky Blue on the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up (2010-2013). In 2013, Zendaya was a contestant on the sixteenth season of the competition ...

  12. Zendaya: A Timeline To Superstardom

    As an actress, style icon, and all-around it-girl, Zendaya is an A-lister that transcends film genres. Starting out as a Disney child star, teen recording artist, and Tumblr style inspo in the ...

  13. What makes Zendaya a great celebrity

    Jul 15, 2019, 12:40 PM PDT. Zendaya at the 2015 Oscars. Steve Granitz/WireImage. Constance Grady is a senior correspondent on the Culture team for Vox, where since 2016 she has covered books ...

  14. The Transformation Of Zendaya From 13 To 26 Years Old

    Zendaya's first major role was in 2010 at just 13 years old. The actor booked a starring role on the Disney Channel original television show "Shake It Up," where she acted opposite Bella Thorne.By ...

  15. Zendaya opens up about the 1st time she had power in her career

    The 24-year-old actor and producer is opening up in a new interview about the first time she felt she had "a little bit of power" in her career. There were no studio execs looking on, no makeup ...

  16. 32 Facts about Zendaya

    Key Takeaways: Zendaya is a multi-talented superstar who started as a child model and rose to fame as an actress, singer, and fashion icon. She's also an advocate for body positivity and social activism. With over 100 million Instagram followers, Zendaya is a role model for young girls, breaking barriers in Hollywood and using her platform to support important causes like education and clean ...

  17. Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman Biography

    The promotional single 'Swag It Out' was also released around the same time. In 2013 Zendaya became the youngest contestant of the 'Dancing with the Stars show.' The same year her debut album 'Zendaya' was released. The album's lead track 'Replay' received 99 million views in a short time and became an online hit.

  18. Zendaya Coleman

    Short Bio » TV Actress » Zendaya Coleman. Zendaya Coleman. September 1, 2022. Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman known simply as Zendaya, is an American actress, singer, and dancer. Zendaya was born in Oakland, California, the daughter of Claire Marie (Stoermer) and Kazembe Ajamu (born Samuel David Coleman). Her father is African-American, with ...

  19. Zendaya

    Biography [] 1996-2010: Early life and career beginning [] " My name means "to give thanks" in the language of Shona, which is an African language. It was originally Chendaya or something like that, but my dad was really a fan of Z's at the time. ... Zendaya appear in a short film called Bad Girls Don't Die directed by Kate Alender to promote ...

  20. Zendaya

    Zendaya is 27 years old as of June 2024. How tall is Zendaya? Zendaya is 583 feet 11 inches (178 m). Zendaya was born in Oakland, California, US. Zendaya is Actress, Singer by profession, find out fun facts, age, height, and more.

  21. Zendaya Biography, Height, Weight, Age, Movies, Husband, Family, Salary

    Zendaya was born in 1 September 1996 (Age: 26 Years, as in 2023) in Oakland, California, US.She completed her schooling at Oakland School for the Arts and completed her graduation. Zendaya is 5 feet and 10 inches tall, and her body weight is around 60 Kg.

  22. Katianna Stoermer Coleman

    Her Half Sister Zendaya's Short Bio. Zendaya is a 25-year-old American actress born on 1 September 1996 in Oakland, California, the USA. Her rise to worldwide fame primarily began after her appearance in the famous franchise movie Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017. Zendaya's acting career first took off in 2010 when she landed her debut role ...