Zendaya is an American actress, singer, and producer best known for her Emmy-winning performance as Rue Bennett in the HBO drama series Euphoria.
She began her career as a child model and backup dancer in Oakland before becoming a Disney Channel star at age 14 and going on to lead some of Hollywood’s biggest film franchises.
Who is Zendaya?
Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman is the full name of Zendaya, a two-time Emmy Award-winning actress, producer, singer, and fashion icon who has become one of the most prominent entertainers of her generation.
Her career stretches from a breakout role on Disney Channel at age 14 to leading roles in the Spider-Man, Dune, and Euphoria franchises simultaneously.
By 2026, she had appeared in films that collectively grossed over $3.9 billion worldwide, held a historic record as the youngest Lead Actress Emmy winner in television history, and earned her first Academy Award for Euphoria in 2026 alongside the show’s third season run.
She grew up as the only child of her parents but has five older half-siblings from her father’s previous relationships.
Her aunt status to nieces and nephews close to her own age has been a recurring funny detail she has mentioned in interviews.
Zendaya became a Lancôme global ambassador in 2019, a Bulgari global ambassador in 2020, and the face of Valentino in late 2020.
In spring 2023, Louis Vuitton named her its global brand ambassador, and in April 2026, she launched a multi-year partnership with sportswear brand On Running that included a co-created footwear and apparel line.
Early Life of Zendaya
Zendaya was born and raised in Oakland, California, where both of her parents worked as teachers.
Her mother, Claire Stoermer, taught at inner-city schools in Oakland and also worked as the house manager and stage manager at the California Shakespeare Theater in Orinda.
Her father, Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, taught physical education and math at Oakland High School.
Growing up backstage at Cal Shakes exposed Zendaya to professional acting and live performance from an early age.
She participated in the California Shakespeare Theater Conservatory Program and landed roles in local theatrical productions while still in school.
Alongside theater, she trained in dance. Zendaya was a member of the Future Shock Oakland dance group for several years and studied hula dancing at the Academy of Hawaiian Arts.
Her parents also supported an early modeling career, with her father later quitting his teaching job and relocating with Zendaya to Los Angeles when she was in middle school to support her entertainment goals full time.
Her parents divorced in 2016, but both have remained active parts of her life and public support system.
Zendaya Age / Birthday
Zendaya is 30 years old as of 2026, born on September 1, 1996. Her zodiac sign is Virgo, a sign associated with precision and attention to detail.
At 30, she had just starred in Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Drama, two major 2026 releases.
Zendaya Ethnicity and Nationality
Zendaya holds American nationality, having been born and raised in Oakland, California.
Her ethnic background is mixed: her mother, Claire Stoermer, has German and Scottish ancestry, and her father, Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, is Black American.
She has spoken openly about her biracial identity and its role in how she navigates representation in Hollywood.
Zendaya Height and Weight
Zendaya stands at 5 feet 10 inches tall, which is approximately 1.78 meters. Her weight has not been publicly disclosed.
Zendaya’s tall frame and distinctive presence have made her a standout figure on red carpets worldwide.
Her stylist Law Roach has described dressing her as one of his career highlights across over a decade of collaborating together.
Zendaya Skincare Routine
Zendaya has sensitive, acne-prone skin, a fact she shared in a GQ interview filmed in January 2023.
That skin type has shaped her entire approach to skincare: she gravitates toward straightforward products without fragrances or heavy add-ons, and she prioritizes consistency over complexity.
Her morning routine starts with cleansing. Zendaya has cited Aveeno Ultra-Calming Makeup Removing Wipes as a go-to product in interviews with Seventeen, followed by a lightweight moisturizer.
Sunscreen is her non-negotiable step, and she told Glamour it is the one thing she will never skip. Her go-to SPF product through her Lancôme partnership is the Lancôme UV Expert Aqua Gel SPF 50.
For her evening routine, she shared via her website that she cleanses before bed every night without exception. She follows with a toner, and Thayers Witch Hazel Rose Petal Toner is one she has mentioned by name.
She has also spoken publicly about using a heavier night moisturizer alongside the lighter daytime version.
Zendaya also shared a simpler, earlier routine in a tweet that became widely circulated. That version included African black soap as her cleanser, rose water mixed with witch hazel as a toner, vitamin E oil, and tea tree oil for spot treatment.
In a Seventeen interview she described her philosophy directly: “Less is more when it comes to taking care of your skin.”
She uses face masks regularly, particularly before red carpet appearances. Her longtime makeup artist Sheika Daley confirmed in an interview that a face mask is the first step before any major event.
Zendaya’s skincare approach reflects her broader beauty philosophy: pick products that work for your specific skin, stick with them, and avoid overloading your routine.
Her sensitive skin makes her cautious about layering too many active ingredients at once.
Zendaya Education
Zendaya attended the Oakland School for the Arts, a public charter school in Oakland focused on arts education.
She also took part in programs through the California Shakespeare Theater during her school years.
When her father moved with her to Los Angeles to pursue acting full time, she balanced her television work with her education.
She has spoken about how she saw her parents’ commitment to education as a model for her own work ethic.
Zendaya Career
Zendaya’s professional career spans more than 15 years, beginning with child modeling and backup dancing before a Disney Channel breakout at 14 led to back-to-back roles in major television and film.
Early Career and Disney Channel (2010–2018)
Zendaya first gained widespread attention with her role as Rocky Blue in the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up, which ran from 2010 to 2013.
The show made her a recognizable face to a generation of young viewers and began building her fanbase in earnest.
She followed that with the lead role of K.C. Cooper in K.C. Undercover, a spy comedy that ran on Disney Channel from 2015 to 2018.
By then, she had also begun crossing over to film: she appeared as Michelle “MJ” in Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017 and starred opposite Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman that same year.
Her Lancôme global ambassadorship began in February 2019, marking her formal entry into the luxury beauty world.
Euphoria and Emmy History (2019–Present)
In 2019, Zendaya took on the role of Rue Bennett in the HBO drama Euphoria, playing a teenager struggling with addiction and mental health.
The performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the 72nd Emmy Awards in 2020, when she was 24 years old.
That win made her the youngest actress ever to take the prize in that category and the first Black actress to win it.
She won the award again at the 74th Emmy Awards in 2022, becoming the first Black actress to win the same acting category twice.
Zendaya also serves as an executive producer on Euphoria, giving her creative control over a project she has described as deeply personal.
Major Film Roles and 2026 Projects
Alongside Euphoria, Zendaya built a parallel film career. She reprised her Spider-Man role in Far From Home (2019) and No Way Home (2021).
She also starred in the Denis Villeneuve science fiction epic Dune (2021) as Chani, a role she returned to for Dune: Part Two (2024).
In 2021, she starred in Malcolm & Marie, the intimate black-and-white drama directed by Sam Levinson.
Her 2024 sports drama Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino, earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) for her portrayal of Tashi Donaldson, a former tennis prodigy turned coach.
By 2026, she returned to the Spider-Man franchise in Spider-Man: Brand New Day alongside Tom Holland, which opened to $168 million domestically on its first day.
She also starred in The Drama (2026), another critically praised project.
Zendaya Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Spider-Man: Homecoming | Michelle “MJ” Jones | MCU debut |
| 2017 | The Greatest Showman | Anne Wheeler | Musical drama |
| 2019 | Spider-Man: Far From Home | Michelle “MJ” Jones | MCU sequel |
| 2021 | Spider-Man: No Way Home | Michelle “MJ” Jones | MCU sequel |
| 2021 | Dune | Chani | Denis Villeneuve adaptation |
| 2021 | Malcolm & Marie | Marie | A24 drama |
| 2024 | Dune: Part Two | Chani | Denis Villeneuve sequel |
| 2024 | Challengers | Tashi Donaldson | Luca Guadagnino; Golden Globe nomination |
| 2026 | Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Michelle “MJ” Jones | Record-breaking opening day |
| 2026 | The Drama | TBC | Critically acclaimed 2026 release |
Zendaya Awards and Recognition
Zendaya’s list of awards reflects her standing as one of the most decorated actresses of her age group in television and film.
- Two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Euphoria, 2020 and 2022)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Drama Series (Euphoria)
- Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) (Challengers, 2025 ceremony)
- Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series
- Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television
- Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Series, Genre
Her 2020 Emmy win made her the youngest Lead Actress Drama winner in Emmy history. Her second win in 2022 made her the first Black actress to win the same Emmy acting category twice.
Zendaya Brand Endorsements
Zendaya’s endorsement portfolio spans beauty, fashion, jewellery, and sportswear.
- Lancôme (global ambassador, February 2019): she appears in campaigns for foundation, mascara, fragrance, and skincare
- Bulgari (global ambassador, February 2020): she headlines campaigns for the B.zero1 jewellery collection
- Valentino (global ambassador, late 2020): she fronted the Collezione Milano campaign and multiple fashion seasons
- Louis Vuitton (global brand ambassador, spring 2023): she appeared in multiple campaigns including the Takashi Murakami Re-Edition
- On Running (multi-year global brand partnership and co-created collection, April 2026)
Zendaya Husband
Zendaya married actor Tom Holland in 2026. The two first met on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2016, with a romance confirmed publicly in 2021 when candid photos appeared.
Their engagement became public in January 2025 when Zendaya arrived at the Golden Globes wearing a large diamond ring, which was confirmed by People magazine.
In March 2026, Zendaya’s longtime stylist Law Roach announced their marriage at the Actor Awards, stating the wedding had already taken place. Tom Holland confirmed the marriage in interviews later that year.
The couple appeared together in Spider-Man: Brand New Day in 2026. Holland has spoken publicly about his admiration for Zendaya’s work and her influence on his own approach to skincare, saying in a 2026 interview that he regularly borrows her products.
They keep their relationship largely private. In a 2023 Hollywood Reporter interview, Holland said, “Our relationship is something that we are incredibly protective of and we want to keep as sacred as possible.”
Zendaya Net Worth
Zendaya’s estimated net worth is $30 million as of 2026.
Her wealth comes from a combination of acting fees across the Spider-Man, Dune, and Euphoria franchises, long-term brand deals with Lancôme, Bulgari, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, and On Running, and her role as executive producer on Euphoria.
Brand Deals and Endorsements
Her brand partnerships represent a significant income stream. She has held ambassadorships with Lancôme since 2019, Bulgari since 2020, and Louis Vuitton since 2023.
The April 2026 On Running partnership, which includes a co-created footwear and apparel line, adds a design royalty dimension to her commercial work.
Film Earnings
Her film roles in the Spider-Man franchise, the Dune franchise, and Challengers have contributed substantially to her income.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day broke domestic opening day records in 2026, and Zendaya has held leading actress status across multiple MCU films since 2017.
She also draws executive producer income from Euphoria, which adds a producing credit income stream separate from her acting salary on the show.
Zendaya Social Media
Zendaya is active on Instagram at @zendaya and on Twitter/X at @zendaya. Her Instagram is one of the most followed actress accounts in the world.
She posts selectively, sharing campaign images, personal updates, and behind-the-scenes glimpses from film and television projects.
Her Euphoria content in particular has generated some of her most widely shared posts.
Conclusion
Zendaya made television history twice with Euphoria before her 27th birthday and then anchored one of Marvel’s biggest ever opening weekends in 2026, a pace that few actors of any age have matched.
Her skincare philosophy, like her career strategy, comes down to consistency: find what works, commit to it, and cut out everything unnecessary.