Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman[5] was born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California, to teachers Claire Stoermer[6] and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman.[7] Her father is African-American, with Nigerian ancestry; her mother has German and Scottish ancestry.[5][7][8] Zendaya, whose name derives from the Shona name Tendai (meaning 'to give thanks'[9]), has five older siblings. She attended Fruitvale Elementary School, where her mother taught for two decades.[6] At age six, she and two friends from the school performed a play there for Black History Month.[10] At age 8, Zendaya joined a hip-hop dance troupe called Future Shock Oakland and was a member for three years. She also spent two years dancing hula with the Academy of Hawaiian Arts.[11][12][13] Zendaya grew as a performer in part at the nearby California Shakespeare Theater in Orinda, California, where her mother worked a summer job as the house manager. Zendaya helped her seat patrons, sold fundraising tickets, and was finally inspired to pursue acting by the theatrical performances.[14][15]
2009–2016: Early work and breakthrough with Disney
Zendaya began her career working as a fashion model for Macy's, Mervyns, and Old Navy. She was featured in an iCarly toys ad.[23] She also appeared as a back-up dancer in a Sears commercial featuring Disney star Selena Gomez. In 2009, she was a featured performer in the Kidz Bop music video for its cover of the song "Hot n Cold" by Katy Perry, which was released on Kidz Bop 15.[23][24] In November 2009, she auditioned for the role of CeCe Jones in the Disney sitcom Shake It Up (titled Dance Dance Chicago at the time).[25] For her audition, she performed Michael Jackson's "Leave Me Alone".[26] She was selected to play Rocky Blue. Shake It Up premiered on November 7, 2010, and was watched by 6.2 million viewers, becoming Disney Channel's second highest-rated premiere in Disney Channel's 27-year history.[27]
Zendaya hosting the Make Your Mark: Ultimate Dance Off event in 2011
In 2011, Zendaya released "Swag It Out", a promotional independent single.[28] She also starred in the book trailer for "From Bad To Cursed" by Katie Alender.[29] In June of the same year, she released "Watch Me", performing with Bella Thorne. The song peaked at 86 on the Billboard Hot 100.[30] The second season of Shake It Up premiered on September 18, 2011. Zendaya hosted Make Your Mark: Ultimate Dance Off 2011 on Disney Channel. In 2011, Target stores began selling D-Signed, a line of clothing inspired by the clothes worn by Zendaya and other cast members of Shake It Up.[31][32]
Zendaya's self-titled debut album was released on September 17, 2013. It was preceded by the single "Replay", released on July 16, 2013, written by Tiffany Fred and Paul "Phamous" Shelton. In August 2013, she was cast as 16-year-old Zoey Stevens, the lead character in the Disney Channel Original Movie Zapped, whose "smart phone begins to somehow control all the boys around her".[40] In November 2013, Zendaya was selected as Elvis Duran's Artist of the Month and was featured on NBC's Today, where she performed live her single "Replay".[41]
Zendaya was next cast as the lead in a Disney Channel pilot called Super Awesome Katy.[42] It was ordered to series by Disney Channel in May 2014, with the series now under the title K.C. Undercover, and with Zendaya's character now named K.C. Cooper rather than Katy Cooper.[43] Zendaya exerted influence over the renaming of her character and the retitling of the series, also deciding several key elements of the character's personality.[44]K.C. Undercover premiered on Disney Channel on January 18, 2015,[45] and was renewed for a second season in May 2015.[46] In 2014, Zendaya was a guest judge on an episode of Project Runway: Under the Gunn. In the episode, the contestant designers were given the challenge of creating an outfit for Zendaya to wear in an upcoming concert performance.[47][48]
In February 2015, after a joke made by Giuliana Rancic concerning Zendaya, in reference to her hair smelling of "patchouli oil" and "weed" at the 87th Academy Awards,[49] Zendaya promptly took to Instagram to address the remark and point out that many successful people have "locs," a hairstyle that has nothing to do with drugs. Mattel honored Zendaya with her own Barbie, replicating her Oscars look.[50] The doll belongs to Mattel's Barbie "Sheroes" project, which honors inspirational living women.[51][52][53][54] The following month, musician Timbaland confirmed that he was working with Zendaya on her second album, following her switching record labels from Disney to Republic.[55][56] "Something New", featuring Chris Brown was released on February 5 via Hollywood Records and Republic Records. The song also marks it as her first official release since signing to Republic Records.[57] In August 2016, Zendaya appeared in the music video for the song "Versace on the Floor" by Bruno Mars.[58] In December, she appeared as a guest judge in the season finale of the 15th season of the reality television series Project Runway.[59]
Zendaya made her feature film debut as Michelle in the superhero film Spider-Man: Homecoming, which was released in July 2017.[60] Zendaya wore no makeup to her screen test, a decision that was carried through in production, and "add[ed] her own embellishments to the role, such as carrying around a mug of herbal tea".[61] Zendaya described the character as "very dry, awkward, intellectual".[62] She added that it was "refreshing" that Michelle was weird and different, feeling that "a lot of young people—especially young women—can relate to that."[63] The film grossed $117 million in its first weekend, ranking number one at the box office.[64] John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter praised her as a "scene stealer",[65] while David Ehrlich of IndieWire called her the film's "MVP", despite her brief screen time.[66]
In December 2017, Zendaya co-starred in the original musical film The Greatest Showman. She portrayed a trapeze artist who falls in love with Zac Efron's character at a time when interracial romance was taboo. Owen Gleiberman of Variety praised her chemistry with Efron.[67]The Hollywood Reporter praised Zendaya for "[registering] strongest, bringing touching sensitivity to her handful of scenes".[68] She appeared on three tracks of the film's soundtrack, including "Rewrite the Stars".[69] The film met mixed reception but became the third-highest grossing live-action musical ever released.[70][71] In September 2018, Warner Bros. released the animated film Smallfoot, in which Zendaya voiced the yeti Meechee.[72] She also sang two songs for the soundtrack. The film received positive reviews.[73]
In 2019, Zendaya began starring in the HBO drama series Euphoria, an adaptation of the Israeli series of the same name, as Rue, a 17-year-old drug addict and the narrator of the series.[74] The series premiered on June 16, 2019, to positive critical reception, with her performance receiving acclaim: Rebecca Nicholson of The Guardian wrote that "Zendaya is reinvented as the self-destructive, self-loathing Rue, in what is a truly astonishing, mesmerising performance, upending every expectation of what she could do";[75] Doreen St. Felix of The New Yorker echoed the sentiment writing: "It becomes difficult, and then absolutely silly, to recall the pink outlines of her early career on the Disney Channel, so grandly does she inhabit this dark new role. She understands the neediness of her character: that Rue, at heart, wants nothing more than to be loved; that her chemical cravings work in service of a spiritual one".[76] Also in 2019, Zendaya reprised her role as MJ in Spider-Man: Far from Home.[77] Critic Christy Lemire called Zendaya's portrayal "darkly alluring" and praised her "humorous, deadpan charm".[78] The film was a commercial success, becoming the fourth highest-grossing release of the year.[79][80] At the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards in 2020, Zendaya won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, becoming the youngest winner of the award at the age of 24.[81]
In 2021, Zendaya starred in Malcolm & Marie, which was filmed during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The production complied with extensive safety protocols and had a lean crew to minimize health risks. The film co-stars John David Washington, and was directed by Sam Levinson, who also created Euphoria.[82] Zendaya allocated shares to the film to everyone involved in its making, as a way of offering a financial bonus when the movie was sold.[83] Part of the proceeds was shared with Feeding America.[84] The film had a mixed reception but Zendaya's performance was positively reviewed.[85] Brian Truitt of USA Today described her as "luminous" and "absolute fire", Richard Brody called her performance "the movie's only redeeming quality", and Variety's Peter Debruge praised her for "wear[ing] Marie's fragility on the surface, only to reveal the character's strength through reaction shots and silence".[86][87][88]
Zendaya next voiced the character of Lola Bunny in Space Jam: A New Legacy.[89] She accepted Coogler's offer to star in the film because of her interest in working with Coogler and being a fan of the original 1996 film.[90] Growing up with the first film since childhood, Zendaya drew on her experiences with her family's love of basketball for the role.[91] Zendaya played Chani in Denis Villeneuve's science fiction film Dune, the first part of a two-part adaptation of the 1965 novel of the same name.[92] Critic Glenn Kenny dubbed her portrayal "better than apt", while Brian Lowry of CNN noted that her role was limited to "gauzy images" in the protagonist's visions.[93][94] Zendaya reprised her role as MJ for the third time in Spider-Man: No Way Home. RogerEbert.com's Brian Tallerico praised Zendaya and Tom Holland's chemistry as well as her execution of MJ's "emotional final beats".[95]
Zendaya made an appearance in the Elvis Mitchell's documentary Is That Black Enough For You?!?[99] During the second weekend of Coachella 2023, she joined Labrinth in a surprise performance of "All for Us" and "I'm Tired", which marked her first return to the stage in 8 years.[100][101] She was featured on the opening song "The Feels" of Labrinth's third album Ends & Begins.[102] Zendaya next appeared in the documentary film Invisible Beauty, based on work of American fashion model and activist Bethann Hardison.[103]
In 2024, Zendaya reprised her role as Chani in the sequel Dune: Part Two. The film was released in March to highly positive reviews, with her performance also receiving praise.[104] Zendaya next starred in and produced the romantic sports drama Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino, opposite Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist.[105][106] She described the role as an opportunity to shed her younger image and "play a woman closer to [her] own age".[107][108] The film was released in the United States in April to critical acclaim, with Zendaya's performance getting particular praise.[109][110][111][112] In her review for the New Statesman, Simran Hans wrote that the film is "a brilliant showcase for Zendaya, whose on-screen magnetism has rarely been channelled so effectively".[113]
Zendaya was the face of Beats Electronics,[115] X-Out,[116]Material Girl,[117]CoverGirl,[118] and Chi Hair Care.[119] She has also modeled for Michael Kors[120] and Dolce & Gabbana.[121] In August 2013, she released her debut book, Between U and Me: How to Rock Your Tween Years with Style and Confidence to "help girls through the tougher parts of the tween years".[122][123] In August 2015, she introduced a shoe collection called Daya, which was her childhood nickname.[124] In November 2016, Zendaya's clothing line Daya by Zendaya went on sale. The second collection was gender-fluid and included a full range of sizes.[125] In October 2018, she became Tommy Hilfiger brand's ambassador and co-designed Tommy x Zendaya capsule collections.[126] She took inspiration from the 1970s, namely the decade's "strong, iconic women", and her runway shows at Paris Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week have been praised for celebrating diversity and inclusivity, including women of color, plus-size models, and models aged up to 70.[127][128] The shows were a tribute to the pioneering model icons.[129] In 2019, Zendaya became a spokesmodel for Lancôme,[130] and in the following year for Bulgari and Valentino.[131][132] In June 2022, she was announced as the global brand ambassador of Glaceau SmartWater.[133] She became an ambassador for Louis Vuitton in 2023.[134]
Zendaya was ranked one of the best-dressed women in 2018 by fashion website Net-a-Porter.[135] For the September 2020 InStyle issue she and her stylist, Law Roach, chose to use all black designers, artists, and creatives.[136] In October 2020, she won the Visionary Award at the CNMI Green Carpet Fashion Awards for "promoting diversity and inclusion in fashion and film".[137] The following year in November, she become the youngest person to ever win the CFDA Fashion Icon award at the CFDA Fashion Awards.[138]
Philanthropy and activism
Zendaya has lent her support to several charities and causes. In 2012, she became an ambassador for Convoy of Hope and encouraged fans to support Hurricane Sandy response efforts.[139] The following year, she promoted other relief efforts. In 2014, Zendaya recorded John Legend's song "All of Me" with a portion of the proceeds going to the organization.[140] In 2016, she celebrated her 20th birthday with a campaign to raise $50,000 to support Convoy's Women's Empowerment Initiative.[139] In October 2012, Zendaya performed at the medical Operation Smile benefit.[36] She was UNICEF's Trick-or-Treat 2014 campaign spokesperson.[141] In July 2015, she visited South Africa with UNAIDS, the United Nations programme dedicated to preventing and creating access to treatment for HIV and AIDS. Then she also held a fundraiser with CrowdRise, with proceeds going to non-profit, community-based, Ikageng charity in Soweto for a family of AIDS orphans.[10] When Malcolm & Marie, filmed during the pandemic, was sold in September 2020, a portion of the proceeds was shared with Feeding America.[84]
Zendaya supports campaigns to raise awareness about underserved communities, underprivileged schools and to financially support schools. In September 2017, she partnered with Verizon Foundation as a spokesperson for their national #WeNeedMore initiative to bring technology, access and learning opportunities to children.[142] In March 2018, Zendaya teamed up with Google.org to support students at a community school in Oakland funding an innovative computer science curriculum.[143]
Zendaya is a feminist.[144] She has previously discussed her experience as a black female in Hollywood.[145][146] She took part in the George Floyd protests in June 2020 and temporarily lent her Instagram account to Patrisse Cullors to share anti-racism resources and media.[147] Zendaya has been an advocate for voting over the years. In October 2016, she was one of the celebrities to participate in "Vote Your Future" initiative and appeared in a campaign video.[148] In September 2020, she encouraged her fans with Michelle Obama, and her "When We All Vote" nonpartisan[149] organization, to check their voter registration ahead of elections.[149] The next month, she shared a video while casting her vote to remind about voting again.[150] In October 2013, she took part in P&G's movement called Mean Stinks, and co-hosted the nationwide live-streamed assembly joined by almost 500 schools.[151][152] In September 2017, she was fronting, along with her Spider-Man: Homecoming costars, a PSA for awareness campaign Stomp Out Bullying.[153]
Personal life
Zendaya owns a home in Los Angeles and a condo in Brooklyn.[154][155] She is a vegetarian, saying, "My main reason for being a vegetarian is that I'm an animal lover—definitely not because I love vegetables".[156] Zendaya is in a relationship with her Spider-Man co-star Tom Holland, who first publicly acknowledged their relationship in November 2021.[157]
In 2016, Zendaya was featured on Forbes' 30 under 30 list.[187] She was included on TIME magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022; Dune director Denis Villeneuve wrote of her saying, "She is an autonomous creative force herself. A cultural icon in the making. A person driven by pure inspiration, empathy, and respect for her craft, who uses authenticity as a new superpower [...] Zendaya is the future. And there is nothing more comforting to me. This is only the beginning".[188] In that same year, Variety ranked her on its list of the 500 most influential figures in global media.[189]
^ abcKim, Kristen Yoonsoo (December 2015). "Real Good". Complex. Canada. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved July 9, 2020. Being a young African-American woman, it's important to know where you come from. ... My mom and my grandma do tons of research on where we're from [on the maternal side]: Scotland and Germany.
^ abField, Genevieve (February 6, 2016). "The Unstoppable Zendaya". Glamour. Archived from the original on August 3, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017. In the summers she accompanied her mom to her [mom's] second job as a house manager for the California Shakespeare Theater.
^Ng, Philiana (November 6, 2013). "'Shake It Up' Star Zendaya to Topline Disney Channel Spy Pilot (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 16, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2016. Super Awesome Katy centers on 16-year-old Katy Cooper (Zendaya), an outspoken and confident technology wiz and skilled black belt, who discovers that both her parents are spies who expect her to follow in their footsteps.
^Aguirre, Abby (June 15, 2017). "Zendaya Talks Spider-Man, Her First Love, and Reinventing Disney Stardom". Vogue. Archived from the original on June 19, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017. ...She objected to the show's title, which at the time was Super Awesome Katy... She then rejected her character's name... and insisted that the show feature a family of color.
^Loria, Joe (December 13, 2016). "Zendaya goes Vegetarian". Mercy for Animals. Archived from the original on September 15, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
