BIOGRAPHY

Zendaya is a film star, dancer, and pop singer best known as the star of Disney’s ‘Shake It Up’. She went on to star in big-budget films like ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ and ‘The Greatest Showman.’

EARLY LIFE

Born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California, actress and singer Zendaya came from a theatrical background. As the daughter of a stage manager, she spent much of her youth hanging around the California Shakespeare Theater. She also trained in its youth program and appeared in some of its productions.

During her days as a student at the Oakland School for the Arts, Zendaya landed a number of roles in local theatrical productions. She also honed her craft at the American Conservatory Theater and the Cal Shakes Conservatory. Zendaya had an interest in dance as well. She was a member of the Future Shock Oakland dance group for several years and studied hula dancing at the Academy of Hawaiian Arts.

In addition to her theatrical work, Zendaya had some early success as a model, working for companies such as Macy’s and Old Navy. For a Sears commercial, Zendaya performed as a backup dancer for Selena Gomez. She eventually decided to use only her first name professionally. “Zendaya” means “to give thanks” in the language of the Shona people of Zimbabwe.

CAREER

Zendaya began her showbiz career as a model, before landing a dancing gig in the Kidz Bop version of Katy Perry’s ‘Hot n Cold’ video.
Zendaya landed the role of Rocky Blue in ‘Shake It Up’ in 2010.
2011 saw the release of her debut single ‘Swag It Out’, and she later teamed with Bella Thorne on a song entitled ‘Watch Me’.
In 2012, she made her film debut in Disney Channel’s ‘Frenemies’ and later signed to Hollywood Records.
The following year she appeared on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ becoming the youngest ever contestant.
In 2013, she released her self-titled debut album featuring the single ‘Replay’. She also unveiled a book entitled ‘Between U and Me: How to Rock Your Tween Years with Style and Confidence’ and launched the Shake It Up Dance Clothing Line by Zendaya.
In 2015, she began starring in ‘K.C. Undercover’.
Her other film ventures include lending her voice to ‘Pixie Hollow Games’ and ‘Super Buddies’.

MUSIC AND BOOK

Zendaya signed a recording deal with Hollywood Records in 2012 and unveiled her self-titled studio album the following year. Although her follow-up album has yet to materialize, she released the single “Something New” with Chris Brown in 2016, and paired with Zac Efron to contribute “Rewrite the Stars” to The Greatest Showman soundtrack.

In 2013 Zendaya became a first-time author with Between U and Me, in which she shares advice for her young fans.

ACTING AWARDS

In 2020, Zendaya got the first major recognition in her acting career when she won the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her starring role in Euphoria.

It is worth noting that she was earning $50,000 per episode for this series. The show also earned Zendaya a People’s Choice Award, an International Online Cinema Award, a Black Reel Award for Television, and a Satellite Award.

Zendaya definitely has great appeal to the young demographic. For many years, she has been a favorite in the Teen Choice Awards and Kids’ Choice Awards. Among her major wins were as Favorite Movie Actress in Spider-Man: Homecoming and The Greatest Showman.

PERSONAL LIFE

Zendaya grew up in Oakland, California with her parents Claire, a theater’s house manager, and Kazembe.
She went to Oakland School for the Arts and later joined the Cal Shakes Conservatory Program at the American Conservatory Theater.
She belonged to a dance troupe called Future Shock Oakland.
She lives in Los Angeles.

When the Spider-Man movies began filming, rumors began circulating that Zendaya and co-star Tom Holland were dating. An article in People magazine quoted a source as saying that the two were very careful in keeping their relationship private but that they really were a couple off screen. Both Zendaya and Holland consistently denied the rumors but in July of 2021, the two were seen kissing in Holland’s car in LA.

Zendaya is a vegetarian. She says that her decision to make the lifestyle change was not because she loves vegetables. Instead, it is because she is an animal lover.

OTHER INCOME

Besides being a multi-awarded actress, Zendaya is also a successful entrepreneur. Over the years, she has maintained contracts with major fashion and beauty brands, like the Material Girl clothing line by Madonna, Lancôme, Bulgari, and Valentino.

She has also been a brand ambassador for Chi Hair Care, Beats Electronics and CoverGirl. These deals had significantly contributed to Zendaya’s net worth.

In February 2019, Zendaya joined Tommy Hilfiger in the creation of a 70s inspired collection that debuted at Paris Fashion Week. The reception was very good and fans clamored for more.

The two quickly reprised their collaboration with a fall collection in the same year. This was again met with a lot of positive feedback.

 NET WORTH TODAY

When 2022 started, Zendaya had a net worth of $15 million. Considering her age and that her career is also still quite young, this is indeed a very impressive number.

Most of Zendaya’s net worth comes from earnings from her acting career, as well as her numerous endorsement deals. Also among her assets are a $1.4 million home in Northridge CA that she bought in 2017, and another 4-acre home in Encino CA that she acquired in 2020.

With the recent release of the latest Spider-Man movie, Zendaya’s net worth rose even higher and is now valued at $20 million.