Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman (born September 1, 1996), known simply as Zendaya (/zɛnˈdeɪə/ zen-DAY-ə), is an American actress, singer and dancer. She began performing at an early age with the dance group Future Shock Oakland, the California Shakespeare Theater in Orinda, and as part of her studies at the Oakland School for the Arts and Cal Shakes Summer Conservatory Program. While she was in her early teens, she embarked on her entertainment career, graduating from modeling work for Macy's and Old Navy to appearing in the video for Kidz Bop's version of Katy Perry's hit single, "Hot n Cold".
Late in 2009, she auditioned for the Disney Channel series eventually known as Shake It Up, landing the role of Rocky Blue. Several of the songs she performed on the show were released as singles, including 2011's "Watch Me," a duet with her co-star Bella Thorne that charted at number 86 on Billboard Hot 100. That year, she also released the single "Swag It Out". Zendaya also parlayed her Shake It Up success into hosting Make Your Mark: Ultimate Dance Off 2011 and a role in the 2012 Disney Channel original movie Frenemies, alongside Bella Thorne. That year, more of Zendaya's songs were featured on the second season of Shake It Up and the soundtrack Shake It Up: Live 2 Dance. After signing a deal with Disney imprint Hollywood Records, she began work on her first solo album.[4]
Early in 2013, Zendaya was cast on the sixteenth season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, becoming the show's youngest contestant at 16 and placing runner-up. That July, Shake It Up had concluded, and in the following months, the book Between U and Me, and her debut album Zendaya arrived. The album's lead single "Replay" was released on July 16, 2013 and was number 40 on Billboard Hot 100 and number 18 in New Zealand and was certified platinum by RIAA on January 30, 2014. Her self-titled debut album was released on September 17, and peaked at 51 on Billboard 200.
Zendaya was born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California, to father Kazembe and to mother Claire Stoermer.[6] Her father is black and her mother is white.[7] Zendaya grew as a part of the nearby California Shakespeare Theater in Orinda, where her mother works as the house manager, and additionally trained with the theater's student conservatory program. Zendaya has performed in numerous stage productions. Zendaya also helped her mother seat patrons and sell raffle tickets to benefit the theater. While she was attending Oakland School for the Arts she starred as Little Ti Moune in Once on This Island at the Berkeley Playhouse and the breakout role of the male character Joe in Caroline, or Change at Palo Alto's TheatreWorks.
She studied her craft at the Cal Shakes Conservatory Program and at the American Conservatory Theater. Her other stage credits include Richard III, Twelfth Night, and As You Like It. Zendaya's official site states that her name derives from the word meaning "to give thanks" in Shona (a Bantu language native to the Shona people of Zimbabwe). She also spent three years dancing with her former dance group called Future Shock Oakland. They danced such dances as Hip Hop and Hula
In 2014 Zendaya released two promotional videos for the song "My Baby", the album version on January 28, and the remix version, featured TY$, Iamsu! and Bobby Brackins, on February 15.[26] She released television film Zapped and shot a pilot for the Disney special K.C. Undercover.[27][28] In May 2014, it was reported Zendaya had been cast as the lead in a new Disney Channel Original Series K.C. Undercover and will begin production in the summer for an early 2015 release. On June 16, 2014, it was announced that Zendaya would portray Aaliyah in a new Lifetime TV biopic film titled Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B,[29] but, a few weeks later, it was announced that she dropped out of the movie and the project was put on hold.[30] On October 17, 2014, it was announced Zendaya is working on her second album, expected to be released in Spring 2015.[31] Billboard later confirmed that Zendaya had signed a joint deal with Republic Records, becoming the first artist to do so.[32] On March 6, 2015 Timbaland confirmed that he is working with Zendaya on her second album.[33]
In September 2012, Zendaya was featured along with rapper Lil Wayne and NBA player Lebron James in a performance of "Scream and Shout" by will.i.am & Britney Spears for a television commercial for Beats by Dr. Dre Color.[34] In August 6, 2013 Zendaya released her debut book, Between U and Me: How to Rock Your Tween Years with Style and Confidence.[35] She told about the book: "I actually signed this book deal over a year ago…I worked on the book all summer and fall".[36] In 2013 Zendaya started work on a clothing line, inspired on her clothes on Shake It Up, the Shake It Up Dance Clothing Line by Zendaya. The collection features fun clothes for active girls, legwarmers, shorts, jackets, headbands and athletic apparel and accessories.[37][38] In April 2015, Zendaya hosted the Radio Disney Music Awards as well as being nominated for the Artist With Best Style, but the award was won by Becky G.
Zendaya's self-titled debut album musically experiment with pop and R&B genres, as well as touching upon Electropop. The albums lyrical content tackles issues of love and heartbreak.[39] After streaming the album to radio presenter Ryan Seacrest, he commented on the albums music calling is a "pop/R&B hybrid offering for the most part", he continued to comment saying the album contained "urban cuts".[40]
Zendaya has cited Michael Jackson, Aaliyah[41] and Beyoncé as her biggest musical influences.[42] An interview to Jon Ali, she commented: "I love Beyoncé, I think she is one of the best performers out there. She works her butt off and always delivers with everything that she does. It’s a beautiful thing".[43] Other musical influences include Rihanna[44] and Bridgit Mendler.[45] Zendaya also has cited some rappers and hip hop artists as ASAP Rocky, Big Sean,[46] Jay-Z, Kanye West and Nicki Minaj.[47]
Her voice has been compared to Rihanna,[48] Cassie, and JoJo.[49]
endaya at the 16th Annual Friends 'n' Family Pre-Grammy Event, February 8, 2013
Born Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman[1]
September 1, 1996 (age 18)
Oakland, California, U.S.
Occupation
Actress singer dancer model
Years active 2009–present
Television Shake It Up
Dancing with the Stars
K.C. Undercover
Musical career
Genres
Pop R&B[2]
Instruments
Vocals piano
Labels
Hollywood Republic[3]
Associated acts
Bella Thorne
Website www.zendaya.com
