28 Surprising Facts About Zendaya That Will Leave You Astonished

From her early days as a beloved Disney star to becoming an award-winning actress, singer, and dancer, Zendaya has grown before our very eyes. Beyond her impressive career in entertainment, Zendaya shines as a role model, using her platform to make a positive impact on the world. She speaks out on significant issues like racism, AIDS awareness, and women’s rights.

Despite being in the spotlight for years, there’s much more to Zendaya than meets the eye. Discover intriguing facts about this multi-talented artist that will deepen your appreciation for her talent and personality.

Interesting Facts About Zendaya:

1. Early Life: Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman was born in Oakland, California, on September 1, 1996. As of now, she is 27 years old.
2. Family Background: Her parents, Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, are both educators. Her father is also a stage manager, while her mother is a jewelry designer who runs a line called Kizzmet Jewelry.
3. Unique Name: The name “Zendaya” is distinctive and was chosen by her father, combining “Zen” with “Tendai,” the Shona word for giving thanks.
4. Siblings: She has three stepsisters—Annabella, Katianna, and Kaylee—and two stepbrothers, Austin and Julien.
5. Family Dynamics: Zendaya’s parents divorced in 2016, but they remain supportive of her career and maintain a good relationship.
6. Childhood Shyness: She was initially very shy and had to repeat kindergarten to improve her social skills.
7. Early Career: Zendaya started as a child model for major brands like Macy’s, Old Navy, and Mervyn’s before breaking into acting.
8. Theater Aspirations: In school, she was interested in theater and auditioned for the lead role in “James and the Giant Peach” but was cast as the silkworm, a non-speaking role.
9. Dancing Talent: A talented dancer, she joined a hip-hop dance group at just eight years old and appeared as a backup dancer for Selena Gomez in a Sears commercial.
10. Vegetarian Lifestyle: Zendaya became a vegetarian at a young age after being horrified by the sight of a slaughterhouse, though she isn’t particularly fond of vegetables.
11. Ice Cream Lover: She loves ice cream and can bite into it without any discomfort, despite the cold.
12. Late Breakfast Routine: Zendaya isn’t a fan of early breakfasts, often delaying her first meal until around 10 AM.
13. Fashion Icon: Known for her stunning red carpet looks, Zendaya has been styled by celebrity stylist Law Roach since she was 14, marking the beginning of a long-standing friendship and fashion collaboration.
14. Breakthrough Role: In 2010, she landed her breakout role as Rocky Blue on Disney’s “Shake It Up.”
15. Personal Choice: As a teen, Zendaya avoided kissing on screen, wanting her first kiss to be a private and special moment.
16. Producer at 17: At just 17, she asked to be a producer on “KC Undercover” and got the role, giving her a say in the show’s direction.
17. Musical Debut: Her first solo single, “Swag It Out,” was released on May 30, 2011, showcasing her musical talents.
18. Acting Training: She honed her acting and dancing skills at the Oakland School of Art.
19. Forbes Recognition: In 2016, Zendaya was listed on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, highlighting her growing influence in acting, fashion, and music.
20. Non-Disney Role: Her first non-Disney role came in 2015 with a guest appearance on “Black-ish.”
21. Movie Stardom: In 2017, she solidified her status as a serious actress with roles in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “The Greatest Showman.”
22. Relationship with Tom Holland: Zendaya met her current boyfriend, Tom Holland, while filming “Spider-Man” in 2016. Rumors of their relationship circulated in 2017, but they only confirmed it in 2021.
23. Fashion Line: In 2016, she launched her fashion line, Daya, and later collaborated with Tommy Hilfiger in 2019.
24. Harry Potter Fan: A true Potterhead, Zendaya relaxes by watching a Harry Potter movie nearly every day.
25. Euphoria: In 2017, Zendaya was cast as Rue Bennett in HBO’s “Euphoria.” At 24, she became the youngest winner of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for this role.
26. Executive Producer: She’s not only the star but also an executive producer for “Euphoria” and contributed to the show’s musical score.
27. Other Producing Credits: Zendaya has also worked as a producer on projects like “Challengers” and “Malcolm and Marie.”
28. Coachella Performance: In 2023, she surprised fans by joining British singer Labrinth on stage at Coachella to perform two songs from the “Euphoria” soundtrack.