Zendaya is a multi-talented American actress and singer, born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California. Her full name is Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman. Raised in her hometown of Oakland, Zendaya has risen to fame with her versatile acting and singing career, captivating audiences with her talent and charm.
Zendaya started her career as a child model, working with Macy’s, Mervyns, and Old Navy. She appeared in ads for iCarly toys and Sears, featuring Selena Gomez. In 2009, she danced in a Kidz Bop video for their cover of Katy Perry’s “Hot n Cold”. She auditioned for Disney’s Shake It Up in 2009, singing Michael Jackson’s “Leave Me Alone”, and landed the role of CeCe Jones. In 2011, she released her solo single “Swag It Out”, collaborated with Bella Thorne on “Watch Me” (which reached #86 on the Billboard Charts 100), hosted Make Your Mark: Ultimate Dance Off on Disney Channel, and launched her clothing line, D-Signed.
Zendaya made her acting debut in the Disney Channel movie Frenemies (2012) and released three promotional singles for the soundtrack. She signed with Hollywood Records in September 2012 and performed at various events, including the Teen Music Festival and Operation Smile fundraiser.
In 2013, she competed on season 16 of Dancing with the Stars, paired with Valentin Chmerkovskiy, and finished in second place. Her debut single “Replay” was released on July 16, 2013, followed by her self-titled debut album on September 17, 2013. She also starred in the Disney Channel movie Zapped (2013) as Zoey Stevens, a teenager whose smartphone mysteriously controls the boys around her.
In 2015, she made her first non-Disney appearance on the TV comedy Black-ish, marking a new chapter in her career. She also appeared in several high-profile music videos, including Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” (2015), Beyoncé’s “All Night” (2016), and Bruno Mars’s “Versace on the Floor” (2017).
Zendaya’s film career took off in 2017 with her role as Michelle “MJ” Jones in Spider-Man: Homecoming. She also showcased her musical talents in The Greatest Showman, performing trapeze and singing the hit duet “Rewrite the Stars” with Zac Efron.
In 2019, Zendaya made a guest appearance on the TV drama The O.A. and landed the lead role of Rue Bennett in the HBO series Euphoria, playing a high school student struggling with anxiety and drug addiction. Her performance in Euphoria received critical acclaim, with praise for her “haunting, painful, and affecting” portrayal, showcasing her impressive acting range and depth. In 2019, Zendaya made a guest appearance on the TV drama The O.A. and landed the lead role of Rue Bennett in the HBO series Euphoria, playing a high school student struggling with anxiety and drug addiction. Her performance in Euphoria received critical acclaim, with praise for her “haunting, painful, and affecting” portrayal, showcasing her impressive acting range and depth.
Her filmography showcases her impressive range and versatility, spanning musical dramas like The Greatest Showman, animated adventures like Smallfoot, romantic dramas like Malcolm & Marie, and sci-fi epics like Dune. With each role, she continues to demonstrate her talent and adaptability as a performer
Zendaya’s music career began to flourish in 2011 with the release of her debut singles “Swag It Out” and “Watch Me”, a collaborative effort with Bella Thorne. Her breakthrough came in 2012 with the release of “Replay”, her first single under Hollywood Records, which climbed to the top 40 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Her self-titled debut album, released in 2013.
She Zendaya made history in 2020 when she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series at just 24 years old for her portrayal of Rue Bennett in HBO’s Euphoria. She repeated this feat in 2022, becoming the youngest two-time winner in the category.she became the first Black woman to win the Emmy twice
Throughout her career, she has received numerous nominations and accolades for her work in television and film, solidifying her position as a talented and versatile performer. Her awards and nominations span multiple industries, including the Primetime Emmy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, MTV Film & TV Awards, Critics’ Choice Awards, and more.
