Zendaya Biography: Age, Height, Net Worth, Career, Videos & More (2025)

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, known simply as Zendaya, has emerged as one of the most dynamic and influential figures in entertainment. Born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California, Zendaya’s ascent from a Disney Channel star to an Emmy-winning actress, singer, dancer, and fashion icon showcases her extraordinary talent and dedication. Her name, rooted in the Shona word “Tendai,” meaning “to give thanks,” reflects the gratitude and authenticity she infuses into her work. This biography explores her early life, career milestones, personal endeavors, and cultural impact, with key details presented in a table for clarity.

Key Information

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman
Date of Birth	September 1, 1996
Age	28 (as of August 22, 2025)
Hometown	Oakland, California, USA
Net Worth	Estimated $25 million (2025)
Occupation	Actress, Singer, Dancer, Producer, Model
Notable Works	Euphoria, Spider-Man series, Dune, Challengers
Awards	2 Primetime Emmy Awards (2020, 2022)

Early Life and Roots

Zendaya was born to Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, both educators, in a culturally rich household. Her father, of African-American descent with Nigerian roots, and her mother, of German and Scottish ancestry, fostered a supportive environment. The youngest of six siblings, Zendaya grew up in Oakland, where her mother worked at the California Shakespeare Theater, sparking her love for performance. At six, she performed in a school play for Black History Month, and by eight, she joined Future Shock Oakland, a hip-hop dance troupe, later studying hula with the Academy of Hawaiian Arts.

Overcoming childhood shyness, Zendaya repeated kindergarten to build social skills. Her passion for theater flourished at the CalShakes Conservatory and the American Conservatory Theater, where she appeared in productions like Once on This Island and Caroline, or Change, earning praise for her role as Joe, described as “a pure delight.” Early modeling for Macy’s and Old Navy laid the groundwork for her professional career.

Disney Channel Stardom

In 2010, at 13, Zendaya landed her breakout role as Raquel “Rocky” Blue in Disney Channel’s Shake It Up, co-starring Bella Thorne. The sitcom, centered on two teens dancing on a fictional TV show, became a hit, ranking as Disney’s second-highest-rated debut after Hannah Montana. Zendaya’s dance skills and charisma shone, and she released her first single, “Swag It Out,” followed by “Watch Me” with Thorne, which charted at number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her 2013 debut album, Zendaya, featured the top-40 hit “Replay.”

During her Disney years, she starred in TV movies like Frenemies (2012) and Zapped (2014) and competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2013, becoming the youngest finalist at 16 and finishing as runner-up. In 2013, she published Between U and Me: How to Rock Your Tween Years with Style and Confidence, a book inspiring young fans.

Transition to Mature Roles

Eager to evolve beyond Disney, Zendaya starred in and produced K.C. Undercover (2015–2018), playing a teen spy and advocating for a Black family cast to promote representation. Her 2015 guest role on Black-ish marked her shift to mature projects. In 2017, she debuted in film as Michelle “MJ” Jones in Spider-Man: Homecoming, a role she reprised in Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), earning acclaim for her grounded portrayal alongside Tom Holland, her real-life partner.

Also in 2017, Zendaya starred as Anne Wheeler in The Greatest Showman, performing the hit duet “Rewrite the Stars” with Zac Efron. Her defining role came in 2019 as Rue Bennett in HBO’s Euphoria, portraying a teen navigating addiction. Her raw performance won her two Emmy Awards (2020, 2022), making her the youngest Lead Actress winner at 24 and the first Black woman to win twice in the category.

Film Career and Cultural Impact

Zendaya’s film career soared with Dune (2021) and Dune: Part Two (2024), where she played Chani, and Malcolm & Marie (2021), a dialogue-driven drama. In 2024, she led Challengers as Tashi, a complex tennis prodigy, earning praise for anchoring the film. Her fashion influence, guided by stylist Law Roach, is iconic, with red-carpet looks like her 2019 Met Gala Cinderella gown and method-dressing for her films. She launched Daya by Zendaya in 2016, emphasizing inclusivity, and represents brands like Louis Vuitton.

Personal Life and Advocacy

Zendaya, private yet impactful, confirmed her relationship with Tom Holland in 2021. A vegetarian, she supports animal rights and uses her platform to address racism, women’s rights, and representation, notably confronting a 2015 Oscars comment about her locs. As a Convoy of Hope ambassador, she champions humanitarian causes.

Legacy and Future

Named among Time’s 100 most influential people in 2022, Zendaya, at 28, redefines stardom. Her balance of blockbuster and indie roles, advocacy, and fashion influence make her a role model. With Euphoria Season 3 and potential Dune projects ahead, her legacy as an Oakland-born trailblazer continues to grow.