Zendaya

Birth Name: Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman  

Nickname/Stage Name: Zendaya

Birth Date: September 1, 1996  

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Musical, R&B, Pop

Occupation: Actress, Singer, Producer  

Years Active: 2009 till Present

Label(s): Hollywood, Republic

Net Worth: $15 million

 

Personal life

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman was born in Oakland to teachers Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman. Her father is African-American with Arkansas roots, and her mother is of German and Scottish descent.

She has five older siblings. She was previously been linked to her Spider-Man co-star Tom Holland, though both have denied any romantic relationship.

The actress and her Hollywood colleague Jacob Elordi were revealed to be in a relationship after they were seen kissing in New York in early 2020.

Their relationship came to an end when Elordi was spotted hand-in-hand with supermodel Kaia Gerber in September 2020.

Education

Zendaya attended Oakland School for the Arts and landed some roles in local theaters while still a student. She also attended the CalShakes Conservatory and the American Conservatory Theater.

Her family relocated to Los Angeles when she was in the seventh grade. She graduated from Oak Park High School in 2015 while pursuing a career in acting.

Career

Zendaya started out as a fashion model for Macy's, Mervyns, and Old Navy. She appeared in an iCarly toys commercial and also appeared in a Sears commercial with Disney star Selena Gomez as a backup dancer.

She featured in the Kidz Bop music video for its cover of Katy Perry's "Hot n Cold," which was released on Kidz Bop 15 in 2009.

The star auditioned for the role of CeCe Jones in the sitcom Shake It Up (then titled Dance Dance Chicago) in November 2009, but she was cast as Rocky Blue instead.

She sang Michael Jackson's "Leave Me Alone" during her audition. Zendaya's first film role was in Frenemies (2012), a Disney Channel Original Movie.

On February 29, 2012, "Something to Dance For" was released as a promotional single for Live 2 Dance. Zendaya also recorded three other songs for the soundtrack, "Made in Japan," "Same Heart," and "Fashion Is My Kryptonite," which were released as promotional singles.

Zendaya made an appearance as a guest judge in the season finale of Project Runway's 15th season in December 2016. In July 2017, she made her feature film debut as Michelle in the MCU superhero film Spider-Man: Homecoming.

In June 2019, she began starring in the HBO series Euphoria as a 17-year-old drug addict and the narrator of the series. Her performance earned her an award.

She reprised the role of MJ in 2019 with the release of Spider-Man: Far From Home. Like its predecessor, the movie was a critical and commercial success.

Zendaya starred alongside John David Washington in 2021's Malcolm & Marie. 

Awards

Teen Choice Award (2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)

Radio Disney Music Award (2014)

Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Award (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)

People's Choice Award (2019, 2020)

Saturn Award (2019)

Primetime Emmy Award (2020)

Black Reel Award (2020)

Satellite Award (2020)

Shorty Award (2020)

Critics' Choice Celebration of Black Cinema Award (2021)

Film Festivals Award (2021)

Quotes

"If I could have a Dancing with the Stars (2005) partner, it would be Michael Jackson, but since I can't anymore - sadly - it would be Roshon Fegan."

"This is so beautiful... doing and making positive programming for young people is so important to me, and I will keep doing it. To all the parents out there, thank you for allowing me to be a role model for your children. I really, really do not take that for granted."

Trivia

Screen-tested for the role of Alita in Alita: Battle Angel (2019).

Gets her height from her parents. Her father is 6'2 and her mother is even taller at 6'4.

Her name means, "giving thanks" in the language of the African Shona tribe.

Best friends with Hunter Schafer.

Movies

Super Buddies (2013)

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

The Greatest Showman (2017)

Duck Duck Goose (2018)

Smallfoot (2018)

Spider-Man: Far From Home

Malcolm & Marie (2021)