Zendaya rose to fame when she was cast in Marvel's Spider-Man: Homecoming. She also was a popular Disney cast in the show Shake It Up.
Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman is a singer and actress from the United States. She has received a Golden Globe and two Primetime Emmy Awards and was included in Time's list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2022. Zendaya debuted as a backup dancer and child model in Oakland, California, where she was born and raised.
Zendaya's career breakthrough with Marvel's Spider-Man: Homecoming
In July 2017, Zendaya was cast as MJ in the superhero movie Spider-Man: Homecoming. For her screen test, Zendaya contributed her personal touches to the character, such as bringing a mug of herbal tea and deciding not to wear makeup, a choice that was followed throughout production.
The character was described as "very dry, awkward, intellectual" by Zendaya. It was "refreshing" that MJ was unique and strange, she continued, because "a lot of young people—especially young women—can relate to that." With a first weekend total of $117 million, the movie was the top earner at the box office. She received honors as a "scene stealer" from John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter and was named the movie's "MVP" by David Ehrlich of IndieWire, despite her little on-screen space.
Zendaya won the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the sequel, Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Zendaya’s early career with Disney and as a singer
Zendaya tried out in November 2009 for the part of CeCe Jones in the Disney sitcom Shake It Up, which was then called Dance Dance Chicago. She sang Michael Jackson's "Leave Me Alone" at her audition. She was chosen for the role of Rocky Blue. With 6.2 million viewers, Shake It Up became the second-highest-rated premiere in the 27-year history of the Disney Channel when it debuted on November 7, 2010.
Zendaya started as a fashion model for Old Navy, Mervyns, and Macy's. She appeared in an advertisement for iCarly toys. She also made an appearance in a Sears commercial with Disney star Selena Gomez as a backup dancer. She appeared as a featured performer in the Kidz Bop music video for their 2009 Kidz Bop 15 edition of Katy Perry's "Hot n Cold".
Zendaya's promotional independent single "Swag It Out" was released in 2011. She also appeared in Katie Alender's "From Bad To Cursed" book trailer. She performed "Watch Me" with Bella Thorne which was released in June of the same year. It reached number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The 2011 Disney Channel program Make Your Mark: Ultimate Dance Off was hosted by Zendaya. D-Signed, a clothing line based on Zendaya's and other Shake It Up cast members' outfits, was first offered in Target stores in 2011.
Zendaya made her cinematic debut in the Disney Channel Original Feature Frenemies (2012). The promotional track "Something to Dance For" for Live 2 Dance was released on February 29, 2012. Three more songs were recorded by Zendaya for the soundtrack: "Made in Japan," "Same Heart," and "Fashion Is My Kryptonite," which were all released as promotional singles. The third and final season of Shake It Up was renewed in June 2012. She became a member of Hollywood Records on September 2, 2012.
Zendaya's self-titled first album was released on September 17, 2013. In August 2013, she was chosen to play 16-year-old Zoey Stevens, the protagonist of the Disney Channel Original Film Zapped, when her "smartphone somehow begins to control all the boys around her". Zendaya performed her track "Replay" live on NBC's Today Show after being chosen as Elvis Duran's Artist of the Month in November 2013.
Zendaya was then chosen to play the lead in Super Awesome Katy, a Disney Channel pilot. In May 2014, the Disney Channel advanced it to a series. Zendaya's character was renamed K.C. Cooper instead of Katy Cooper, and the show was retitled K.C. Undercover. In addition to choosing some important aspects of the character's nature, Zendaya had a say in the retitling of the series and the renaming of her character.
In resemblance to Zendaya's Oscars appearance, Mattel rewarded her with her own Barbie. The doll is part of the Barbie "Sheroes" initiative from Mattel, which celebrates admirable real-life women.
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FAQs about Zendaya
Zendaya’s full name is Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman.
Since their 2016 encounter on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming, Zendaya and Tom Holland have been the subject of romance rumors. In 2021, the two confirmed their relationship.
Zendaya rose to fame for her role in Disney TV show Shake It Up. She earned mainstream stardom after acting in Spider-Man Homecoming.
