Zendaya

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman Bio

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman (born September 1, 1996) is an American actress and singer. The recipient of numerous accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award, she was named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022. Her films as a leading actress have grossed over $3.9 billion worldwide. Born in Oakland, California, Zendaya 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. She made her feature film debut as Michelle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Spider-Man: Homecoming, and she is also known for her role in HBO’s Euphoria.

Early Life and Background

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman was born in Oakland, California, on September 1, 1996. Her name derives from the Shona name Tendai, meaning ‘to give thanks.’ Both of Zendaya’s parents were teachers; her father, Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, is African-American with Nigerian ancestry, and her mother, Claire Stoermer, has German and Scottish ancestry. She has five older half-siblings from her father’s previous relationships. Zendaya attended Fruitvale Elementary School, where her mother taught. She was described as energetic and outgoing at home but reserved and shy at school. At the end of the school year, her parents had her repeat kindergarten to help build her confidence. Around this time, Zendaya, aged six, and two of her friends performed a play at school for Black History Month. At eight years old, she joined a hip-hop dance group called Future Shock Oakland, where she performed for three years. She also spent two years dancing hula with the Academy of Hawaiian Arts. After deciding to pursue acting, Zendaya assisted her mother, who spent the summer working as a house manager at the California Shakespeare Theater. There, she assisted patrons with their seats and sold fundraising tickets, but her primary interest was in the theatrical performances. Her first acting role was as a silkworm in her school’s production of James and the Giant Peach. Aged eleven, she began attending Oakland School for the Arts and, while still a student, was cast in several roles in area theaters.

Path to Hollywood

By sixth grade, Zendaya played Lady Anne in Richard III and Celia in As You Like It and took part in a production of Twelfth Night. When Zendaya was in seventh grade, she and her father relocated to a small apartment in downtown Los Angeles; her mother continued to stay in Oakland. Retrospectively, she said of the experience that her father knew what she wanted more than anything in the world, though she admitted she missed a lot of fun things while pursuing her dreams. In 2015, she graduated from Oak Park High School. Zendaya began her career working as a fashion model for Macy’s, Mervyns, and Old Navy and also appeared as a back-up dancer in a Sears commercial with Disney star Selena Gomez. In November 2009, Zendaya was among 200 girls who auditioned for the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up, which follows two teenage friends who get their big break on the local dance show Shake It Up Chicago. She originally auditioned for the role of CeCe Jones, which ultimately went to her co-star Bella Thorne; instead, Zendaya was cast as Rocky Blue. Judy Taylor, senior vice president of Disney Channel, described Zendaya as completely engaging with a great presence. The first season of 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 its history.

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman Career

Early Career (2009–2016)

In 2011, Zendaya released “Swag It Out,” a promotional independent single, and starred in the book trailer for “From Bad To Cursed” by Katie Alender. That same year, she performed the single “Watch Me” with Thorne, which peaked at number 86 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. In 2012, she made her film debut as an aspiring magazine editor in Frenemies, a Disney Channel Original Movie. In February 2012, “Something to Dance For” was released as a promotional single for the soundtrack of the second season of Shake It Up. In October 2012, Shake It Up’s third and final season premiered. That year, she signed with Hollywood Records. Zendaya was later announced as one of the celebrity contestants on the sixteenth season of Dancing with the Stars. At age sixteen, she became the youngest contestant in the show’s history at the time. Partnered with professional dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Zendaya finished as the runner-up to Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough in May 2013. Zendaya released her debut studio album, titled Zendaya, on September 17, 2013, through Hollywood Records. The album peaked at number 51 on the US Billboard 200.

Breakthrough (2017–2021)

In August 2017, Zendaya appeared in the music video for the song “Versace on the Floor” by Bruno Mars. That year, she made her feature film debut, playing Michelle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Spider-Man: Homecoming. The film went on to gross over $880 million worldwide, making it the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2017. Zendaya then starred in the original musical film The Greatest Showman, portraying a trapeze artist who falls in love with Zac Efron’s character. In 2019, Zendaya began starring in the HBO drama series Euphoria, an adaptation of the Israeli show of the same name, playing Rue, a seventeen-year-old drug addict who is also the series narrator. 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 recipient of the award at 24. In 2021, Zendaya starred in and produced Sam Levinson’s Malcolm & Marie, filmed during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic under strict safety protocols. Zendaya next voiced Lola Bunny in Space Jam: A New Legacy. She then portrayed Chani in Denis Villeneuve’s science fiction epic Dune, the first installment of a two-part adaptation of the 1965 novel. Zendaya reprised her role as Michelle in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Notable Works and Milestones

Zendaya has received critical acclaim for her performances in various films and television series. She has won two Primetime Emmy Awards for her role in Euphoria and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama in 2023.

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman Award Nominations

Zendaya has received numerous nominations throughout her career, including several for her performances in Euphoria, highlighting her impact in the industry.

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman Awards Won

Zendaya has won several prestigious awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama.

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman Family

Zendaya has a close relationship with her family, although specific details about her parents and siblings are not publicly detailed.

Personal Life

Zendaya is currently in a relationship with British actor Tom Holland, whom she began dating in 2021. The couple moved into a home in London together in 2023. Zendaya is also a vegetarian and is known for her advocacy on various social issues.