Zendaya Coleman was named after the word ‘to give thanks’ in the Zimbabwean language, Shona. She grew up with loving and supportive parents who were both school teachers. They always made sure to keep her grounded and humble. However, ambition burned like a fire within her. From a young age, she knew that the world of entertainment was her calling. She learned her craft at the Oakland School for the Arts and the California Shakespeare Theater in Orinda after joining the dance group Future Shock Oakland. Zendaya started her career with minor acting and modeling roles before being cast in Disney Channel’s ‘Shake It Up.’

She then began producing and quickly became a major star.

In 2015, Zendaya became the focus of her show, breaking barriers for Disney stars. Her career has only continued to rise since then. 

“K.C. Undercover” showcased Zendaya’s star power, and she continued to impress with her roles in two successful films. The first was “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” where she portrayed the original character flawlessly, endearing herself to Marvel Cinematic Universe fans worldwide.

In the hit musical “The Greatest Showman,” she played a trapeze artist, adding another skill to her already impressive list. It’s worth noting that Zendaya and Efron performed most of their stunts in the movie.

Zendaya is known for her fashion sense.

She launched her Daya shoe line in 2015 and later expanded it into a clothing line. Elle praised the line’s inclusivity: it is androgynous, available up to size 22, and priced under $160.

With the help of her stylist, Law Roach, Zendaya has become a fashion icon for her generation. 

She has appeared in high-profile music videos and released her own music. Additionally, she has been featured in the music videos of several high-profile pop artists, including Taylor Swift’s famous ‘Bad Blood’ video, alongside over a dozen other individuals. The video was released in 2015 and features cameos from supermodels such as Gigi Hadid and Cara Delevingne, singers Selena Gomez and Ellie Goulding, and actors Jessica Alba and Ellen Pompeo. 

Zendaya also appeared in Beyoncé’s visual album Lemonade, starring in the 2016 music video for the song ‘All Night. ‘ The album is widely regarded as one of the best of all time, with the Associated Press naming it the top album of the 2010s. Zendaya appeared in the video with Amandla Stenberg, Chloe, and Halle Bailey. In 2017, she was also featured in Bruno Mars’ video for ‘Versace on the Floor.’

Zendaya played the role of Chani in Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’ franchise, taking center stage in Dune: 

Despite being a significant part of the marketing campaign for Dune, she only appeared for seven minutes in the first film. 

The second movie brings back Chani, placing her at the forefront of the action. However, this is challenging as the film draws to a conclusion.