Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California, is a prominent American actress and singer.
She gained fame through her roles in Disney Channel’s Shake It Up and K.C. Undercover, later achieving critical acclaim for her performance as Rue in HBO’s Euphoria, winning two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Xendaya has starred in major films including the Spider-Man series and Dune.
In 2022, she was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people.
Parents
Zendaya’s parents are Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman.
Claire is a former teacher who now runs a handmade jewelry business, Kizzmet Jewelry, while Kazembe, who was also a teacher, manages Zendaya’s career.
They are supportive of her endeavors and maintain a friendly relationship despite their separation in 2016.
Zendaya often expresses gratitude for their influence and the values they instilled in her, emphasizing the importance of education and family support throughout her career.
Career
Zendaya began her career on the Disney Channel, where she gained fame for her role as Rocky Blue on the series Shake It Up, which premiered in 2010.
The show focused on two best friends pursuing their dreams of becoming professional dancers, and Zendaya’s performance showcased her talents in both acting and dancing.
Following this success, she starred in another Disney Channel series, K.C. Undercover, from 2015 to 2018.
In this show, she played a teenage spy balancing high school life with secret missions, further solidifying her status as a leading young actress.
Transitioning to film, Zendaya made her debut in Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017, portraying Michelle “MJ” Jones.
Her character quickly became a fan favorite, and she reprised this role in the subsequent films Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), contributing to the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In addition to her superhero roles, she starred in The Greatest Showman (2017), a musical inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum.
Her performance of Rewrite the Stars alongside Zac Efron received widespread acclaim and highlighted her singing abilities.
A significant turning point in Zendaya’s career came with her role in HBO’s Euphoria, which premiered in 2019.
She plays Rue Bennett, a teenager grappling with addiction and mental health issues.
The show garnered critical acclaim for its raw portrayal of contemporary issues affecting youth, and Zendaya’s performance was particularly praised.
In 2020, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, making history as the youngest winner in that category, and she won again in 2022 for the same role.
In 2021, Zendaya starred in Denis Villeneuve’s epic science fiction film Dune, based on Frank Herbert’s novel.
She played Chani, a key character who becomes central to the story.
The film was both a critical and commercial success, further establishing Zendaya as a versatile actress capable of handling complex roles.
Additionally, she starred alongside John David Washington in Malcolm & Marie (2021), a film shot during the COVID-19 pandemic that explores the dynamics of a couple’s relationship over one night.
While primarily known for her acting, Zendaya is also an accomplished singer.
She released her self-titled debut album in 2013, featuring singles like Replay, which became popular on radio and streaming platforms.
