Zendaya (Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman) is an American actress, singer, and producer who grew from Disney Channel stardom into one of the most recognized performers of her generation. Many audiences first met her as Rocky Blue on Shake It Up, then watched her take on bigger roles across film and prestige TV as her career expanded.
In recent years, Zendaya has become strongly associated with high-impact, modern storytelling. She leads HBO’s Euphoria as Rue Bennett, a performance that brought major awards attention, and she has also appeared in blockbuster franchises including Marvel’s Spider-Man films and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune series as Chani. Beyond acting, she has built a reputation for careful project choices, creative influence behind the scenes, and a public image that balances global fame with a notably private personal life.
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Quick Facts
| Real Name: | Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman |
| Profession: | Actress, singer, producer |
| Born: | September 1, 1996 |
| Age: | 29 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace: | Oakland, California, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Known For: | Rue Bennett on Euphoria, Chani in Dune, MJ in Marvel’s Spider-Man films, Disney roles including Shake It Up |
| Notable Films: | Spider-Man: Homecoming; The Greatest Showman; Dune; Spider-Man: No Way Home; Dune: Part Two; Challengers |
| Awards: | Primetime Emmy Awards (for Euphoria), Golden Globe Award (for Euphoria) |
| Zodiac Sign: | Virgo |
| Relationship: | Keeps personal life mostly private |
| Years Active: | 2009 to present |
Trailer Video
Early Life & Education
Zendaya was born and raised in the Oakland, California area and grew up in a household shaped by education and community. Her parents worked as teachers, and she has often credited that environment with helping her stay grounded while navigating early professional opportunities.
As a young performer, she trained in dance and theater and appeared in local work before her Disney breakout. She attended Oakland School for the Arts and also studied with programs connected to California Shakespeare Theater in Orinda, experiences that helped build her stage confidence and performance range.
Career Highlights and Milestones
Zendaya’s mainstream breakthrough came with Disney Channel, first as Rocky Blue on Shake It Up (2010 to 2013) and later as the lead of K.C. Undercover (2015 to 2018). Those projects established her as a young star with crossover potential and gave her the platform to move into film and more adult roles.
Her film career accelerated with major studio work including Marvel’s Spider-Man films, the musical hit The Greatest Showman, and the sci-fi franchise Dune. On television, she became widely recognized for her work in HBO’s Euphoria, where her performance as Rue Bennett earned major awards attention and positioned her as a defining face of modern prestige TV. She has continued to balance blockbuster visibility with character-driven work and producer involvement.
Selected film and TV highlights
- Shake It Up (2010 to 2013)
- K.C. Undercover (2015 to 2018)
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
- The Greatest Showman (2017)
- Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
- Euphoria (2019 to present)
- Malcolm & Marie (2021)
- Dune (2021)
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
- Dune: Part Two (2024)
- Challengers (2024)
Major recognition
- Primetime Emmy Awards – Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Euphoria (winner, multiple years)
- Golden Globe Award – Best Actress in a Television Series, Drama for Euphoria (winner)
- Widely cited as a crossover star bridging Disney-era fame with prestige TV and major film franchises
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Awards and Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | Euphoria | Won |
| 2022 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | Euphoria | Won |
| 2023 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress in a Television Series, Drama | Euphoria | Won |
Filmography / Notable Works
| Year | Title | Type | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 to 2013 | Shake It Up | TV | Breakout Disney role as Rocky Blue. |
| 2015 to 2018 | K.C. Undercover | TV | Lead role with increased creative influence as the series progressed. |
| 2017 | Spider-Man: Homecoming | Film | Marvel debut as MJ. |
| 2017 | The Greatest Showman | Film | Musical hit that expanded her film audience. |
| 2019 | Spider-Man: Far From Home | Film | Returned as MJ in Marvel’s continued storyline. |
| 2019 to present | Euphoria | TV | Lead role as Rue Bennett; major awards recognition. |
| 2021 | Malcolm & Marie | Film | Two-hander drama highlighting dramatic range. |
| 2021 | Dune | Film | Franchise role as Chani. |
| 2021 | Spider-Man: No Way Home | Film | Global blockbuster entry in the franchise. |
| 2024 | Dune: Part Two | Film | Expanded role as Chani. |
| 2024 | Challengers | Film | Lead role in the tennis-centered drama. |
Net Worth, Income, & Lifestyle
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth (2026) | Public estimates vary. Zendaya has not disclosed a verified net worth figure, and reliable public documentation is limited. |
| Income Sources | Acting (film and TV), producing, music-related work, brand partnerships, and long-term franchise participation. |
| Properties & Assets | She keeps most personal financial details private. Coverage tends to focus on her work rather than specific asset disclosures. |
| Lifestyle | Often described as private and family-centered, with an emphasis on long-term career planning and selective public visibility. |
Social Media & Online Presence
| Platform | Details |
|---|---|
| Official account: @zendaya (verified). Audience size changes over time, but she maintains a very large global following. | |
| X (Twitter) | Handle commonly listed as @Zendaya. Verification and platform labeling can change over time, so confirm if needed. |
| TikTok | No clearly verified personal TikTok is consistently referenced. Many clip and fan accounts exist. |
| Public pages and repost accounts exist. Confirm before treating any page as official. | |
| YouTube | No central personal YouTube channel is consistently highlighted. Most video content is hosted by studios, interviews, and partner channels. |
| IMDb | Verified filmography at IMDb. |
| Official Website | zendaya.com (official site). |
| Fan Updates | Coming soon, subscribe to follow Zendaya updates. |
Fan communities on social media (unofficial)
NOTE: In addition to any official accounts listed above, many fan-run pages and clip accounts exist. These are not confirmed to be affiliated with Zendaya. Links and usernames can change at any time.
Trivia & Lesser-Known Facts
- Her first name is commonly pronounced “Zen-day-a” and is often noted as distinctive and intentionally unique.
- Before her Disney breakout, she worked in dance and local performance spaces and built early experience through auditions and small jobs.
- She helped shift her Disney-era image by taking on producer responsibilities and advocating for stronger character choices and representation.
- She has balanced franchise roles with intense dramatic work, becoming known for moving between blockbuster visibility and prestige storytelling.
- She is widely recognized for long-term creative partnerships in styling and image-making, and for using fashion as a form of storytelling.
Quotes
“A lot of people don’t realize their power.”
— Vogue (2017)
“No: You have the power.”
— Vogue (2017)
“I’m less anxious. I have to really be intentional about taking care of myself.”
— Vogue (2024)
“My greatest wish for Euphoria was that it could help heal people.”
— Vanity Fair (2022)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is Zendaya’s age?
A: Zendaya was born on September 1, 1996. She is 29 years old as of 2026.
Q: What is Zendaya best known for?
A: She is best known for starring as Rue in HBO’s Euphoria, and for major film roles in Marvel’s Spider-Man films and the Dune franchise. Many fans also first discovered her through Disney Channel projects like Shake It Up.
Q: What was Zendaya’s breakout TV role?
A: Her breakout role was Rocky Blue on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up (2010 to 2013).
Q: Has Zendaya won major awards?
A: Yes. She has won major awards including Primetime Emmy Awards for her lead performance on Euphoria.
Q: Does Zendaya have an official website?
A: Yes. Her official site is zendaya.com.
Upcoming Projects
- Euphoria (Season 3) – The series has been widely reported as continuing, with production timing and release details subject to change.
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day (announced) – Zendaya is widely expected to return as MJ; release plans can shift during production.
- The Drama (announced) – A feature project reported to involve Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, with details and timing subject to change.
- The Odyssey (announced) – Reported feature involvement; details and timing subject to change.
- Be My Baby (in development) – Ronnie Spector biopic in development, with Zendaya attached to star and produce.
Interviews & Features
- Vogue, “Zendaya Talks Spider-Man, Her First Love, and Reinventing Disney Stardom” (Jun 15, 2017) , a long-form profile on her Disney-to-Hollywood transition, creative leverage, and early big-screen momentum.
- Vogue, “Zendaya Talks Challengers and Considers Her Future” (Apr 9, 2024) , a major cover interview tied to Challengers, with reflection on career pacing, craft, and long-term goals.
- Vogue, “Zendaya Talks Anxiety, Impact, and Her New Partnership With On” (Jun 6, 2024) , a feature on wellness, anxiety, and the values she looks for in partnerships as her brand footprint expands.
- People, “Zendaya’s Ronnie Spector Biopic Lands Barry Jenkins as Director” (Mar 2025) , an update on the long-in-development Ronnie Spector biopic Be My Baby, including key creative and production details.
- Pitchfork, “Zendaya to Star as Ronnie Spector in Barry Jenkins-Directed Biopic for A24” (2025) , a concise industry update on the project scope and the team attached to the film.
Public Appearances & Festivals
- Dune: Part Two London Premiere (Feb 2024): Zendaya attended in London with key cast members ahead of the global release.
- Challengers Premiere (Apr 2024): She appeared at a major red carpet event tied to Challengers during the film’s launch window.
- Academy Awards (Mar 2024): Zendaya appeared in Los Angeles during Oscars weekend events and coverage.
- Golden Globe Awards (Jan 2025): She attended the ceremony in Beverly Hills, a highly covered red-carpet appearance.
