Zendaya

Zendaya Opens Up About Pre-Release Nerves for Challengers

Zendaya, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry for over half her life, recently expressed her feelings of nervousness leading up to the release of her latest film, Challengers. The 27-year-old actress shared candid behind-the-scenes images from the film’s set on Instagram just three days before its debut on April 26, revealing the weight of her new leading role.

“This is my first time leading a film in this way, so I’ve been nervous, but everyone’s excitement and encouragement has meant the world to me,” Zendaya commented, humorously urging fans to be lenient in their judgments of the characters.

Challengers follows the story of Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach, who navigates a complex love triangle involving her husband and an ex-boyfriend, portrayed by Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor, respectively. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Zendaya described the characters as “likable and charming—and terrible also,” emphasizing the challenge of portraying Tashi as a nuanced individual. “I think she’s falling apart, and you’re watching a woman scramble to pull her life together while maintaining a facade and containing her pain,” she explained.

While Zendaya has starred in blockbuster hits such as Dune and the Spider-Man trilogy alongside Tom Holland, Challengers marks her first opportunity to take on a leading role in a feature film.

Who Is Zendaya?

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, known professionally as Zendaya, is an Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning actress recognized for her compelling performances in both television and film. She gained widespread acclaim for her role as Rue in the HBO series Euphoria, and has appeared in Jon Watts’ Spider-Man trilogy as well as in both Dune films. Originally rising to fame as a Disney Channel star, Zendaya anchored the sitcoms Shake It Up and K.C. Undercover during the 2010s. She made a significant transition to film in 2017 with Spider-Man: Homecoming and The Greatest Showman, marking a departure from her youthful image to tackle more complex characters in Euphoria. At just 24 years old, Zendaya became the youngest recipient of the Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Her upcoming projects include Dune: Part Two and Challengers. She is also known for her relationship with her Spider-Man co-star, Tom Holland.

Young Zendaya: Family Background

Zendaya was born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California. Her name means “to give thanks” in the Shona language of Zimbabwe. She is the daughter of Claire Stoermer, a teacher and stage manager, and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, also a teacher. Although Zendaya’s parents were not married at the time of her birth, they wed in 2008 when she was 12; however, they divorced in 2016 after eight years of marriage.

She has five older stepsiblings—Katianna, Annabella, Kaylee, Austin, and Julien—from her father’s previous marriage. Zendaya is also an aunt, often describing herself as the “cool aunt” despite some of her siblings’ children being close in age to her. In a 2021 interview with British Vogue, she shared anecdotes about her interactions with her niece, illustrating her playful and supportive family dynamic.

Zendaya’s passion for acting was influenced by her early exposure to theater, primarily through her mother’s work at the California Shakespeare Theater (Cal Shakes). Growing up in this environment sparked her interest in performance. During her time at the Oakland School for the Arts, she participated in various local theatrical productions and honed her craft through programs at the American Conservatory Theater and Cal Shakes’ Conservatory. Additionally, she was involved in dance, being a member of the Future Shock Oakland dance group and studying hula dancing at the Academy of Hawaiian Arts.

Reflecting on her upbringing, Zendaya expressed gratitude for her parents’ dedication to providing her with opportunities in the arts. This support extended to her early modeling career, where she worked with brands like Macy’s and Old Navy, and performed as a backup dancer for Selena Gomez in a commercial. When Zendaya decided to pursue a career in entertainment full-time, her father left his teaching job to manage her career, a role he continues to fulfill today.

Movies and Shows: Euphoria, Spider-Man, and More

Shake It Up

In 2010, Zendaya’s career began to flourish with the premiere of Shake It Up on the Disney Channel. The young actress described the series to McClatchy-Tribune Business News as “a buddy comedy about two best friends who dream of becoming professional dancers and finally get their chance when they get to audition for their favorite show.”

Alongside co-star Bella Thorne, Zendaya became a prominent figure among tweens, captivating a young audience with their performances. Songs featured in the show, such as “Something to Dance For,” resonated well with fans, contributing to the show’s popularity and inspiring a dedicated fashion line based on their characters.

In addition to her work on Shake It Up, Zendaya lent her voice to the animated TV movie Pixie Hollow Games in 2011. She also made guest appearances on various series, including A.N.T. Farm and Good Luck Charlie, and starred with Thorne in the 2012 TV movie Frenemies. Shake It Up concluded its run in 2013 after three successful seasons.

Dancing With the Stars

In 2013, Zendaya transitioned from her fictional dance world to the competitive arena of Dancing with the Stars. Paired with professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy for the show’s 16th season, she faced off against notable celebrities such as Andy Dick, Kellie Pickler, and Aly Raisman. Despite her background in hip-hop dance, Zendaya acknowledged the challenges of adapting to a new style, stating in an interview with Good Morning America, “I’m really used to hip hop dancing… So I kind of have to forget what I know and restart all over again.” Nevertheless, her dedication and talent propelled her and Chmerkovskiy to the season finale, where they finished as runners-up.

K.C. Undercover

Zendaya starred in the Disney Channel series K.C. Undercover, which aired for three seasons from 2015 to 2018. Leveraging her growing star power, she not only acted in the show but also took on the role of one of its producers, significantly influencing its direction. The series follows K.C., a girl who learns that her parents are spies. In a 2017 interview with The Seattle Times, Zendaya expressed her desire to return to the Disney Channel, citing a lack of diversity at the time. She advocated for the series to feature a Black family and for her character to diverge from the conventional Disney archetype. Rather than being portrayed as an artistic type who could sing, act, and dance, K.C.—initially envisioned as Katy—was reimagined as a tech-savvy genius with a black belt in martial arts. Additionally, Zendaya successfully lobbied to change the show’s title from Super Awesome Katy to K.C. Undercover.

Spider-Man Trilogy and The Greatest Showman

As Zendaya transitioned away from her Disney years, she made a significant impact in major films. She starred in The Greatest Showman (2017) as Anne Wheeler, a trapeze artist, sharing the screen with Hugh Jackman, who portrayed P.T. Barnum, alongside other notable actors such as Zac Efron and Michelle Williams.

More notably, Zendaya joined director Jon Watts’ Spider-Man trilogy, which commenced with Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017. In this series, she portrayed Michelle “M.J.” Jones, a classmate and eventual love interest of Tom Holland’s titular superhero. Zendaya reprised her role in Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). The trilogy achieved remarkable box office success, particularly with No Way Home, which grossed over $1.9 billion, making it the highest-grossing film of 2021. This series of successes solidified Zendaya’s position in Hollywood for the foreseeable future.

Euphoria

In a bold departure from her Disney roots, Zendaya embraced the challenging role of Rue Bennett, a teenage drug addict, in HBO’s critically acclaimed series Euphoria. “I knew if I wasn’t a part of this show, I’d be miserable,” she stated in an interview with The New York Times. The series, created by Sam Levinson, drew considerable attention prior to its June 2019 premiere due to its unflinching portrayal of adolescent struggles with drug use and sexuality.

Zendaya acknowledged the provocative nature of the show’s content, saying, “I don’t find it that shocking, to be honest. People will. I kind of accepted the fact that it would be polarizing. Whether people like it or not, it’s real. I’m telling somebody’s story. Just because it’s not happening to you doesn’t mean it’s not happening all the time, every day.”

Now in its third season, Euphoria has achieved remarkable success, earning Zendaya multiple accolades, including two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe for her compelling performance. Notably, she became the youngest recipient of the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in September 2020. Upon accepting her second Emmy in 2022, she expressed, “My greatest wish for Euphoria was that it could help heal people.”

While a third season was initially scheduled for 2025, production has been delayed as of March 2024, with scripts still in development, according to Variety.

Dune Movies and Challengers

In addition to her role in Euphoria, Zendaya showcased her versatility in various film projects in 2021. She starred in the black-and-white Netflix film Malcolm & Marie and lent her voice to Lola Bunny in Space Jam: A New Legacy.

In October 2021, she joined the cast of Dune, directed by Denis Villeneuve, portraying Chani, the love interest of Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet. Although her appearance in the first installment was limited to seven minutes, Zendaya remarked on the joy of developing her character: “I only really had a few days with her, so I kind of scratched the surface but it was so much fun figuring her out.”

Zendaya reprised her role in the sequel, Dune: Part Two, which premiered in March 2024, offering a more substantial portrayal of Chani. She noted the character’s development, saying, “Something Denis really found for Chani is allowing her to have her own mind and spirit when it comes to her perception of Paul.” As of late April 2024, Dune: Part Two has become the highest-grossing film of the year, with plans for a third film based on Frank Herbert’s sequel, Dune: Messiah, currently underway.

Zendaya also starred in Challengers, released in late April 2024. She played Tashi, a former tennis prodigy who navigates a complex love triangle with her husband and ex-boyfriend. Reflecting on the role, she stated, “It was a good step into a more, I guess you could say, ‘grown-up’ role… To be like, ‘Ooh, can I do this?’”

Relationship with Tom Holland

Zendaya is currently in a relationship with fellow actor Tom Holland. Their romance reportedly began around the time they met in 2016 during the filming of Spider-Man: Homecoming, although they kept it private until it became public in July 2021. Holland confirmed their relationship with a heartfelt birthday post in September 2021, and Zendaya later acknowledged him as her boyfriend after her Emmy win in 2022.

The couple has chosen to maintain a level of privacy regarding their relationship. Holland emphasized this in a June 2023 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, stating, “Our relationship is something that we are incredibly protective of… it has nothing to do with our careers.” Zendaya echoed these sentiments, expressing her desire to control the narrative surrounding her personal life.

Despite their privacy, Holland shared that he values Zendaya’s candid feedback on his career, saying, “Zendaya is probably the most honest with me, which I love, ’cause you need that.”

Music Career and Authorship

In addition to her acting career, Zendaya ventured into music as a teenager, signing a recording contract with Hollywood Records in 2012 and releasing her self-titled album in 2013. Although her music career did not achieve the same level of success as her acting, she collaborated with notable artists like Chris Brown and Zac Efron.

More recently, she performed with British musician Labrinth at the 2023 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and contributed to his album, Ends & Begins. Zendaya candidly expressed her apprehensions about returning to the stage, saying, “I have a lot of negative experiences with the music industry… But I was also like, ‘You can’t run away from this forever.’”

Additionally, Zendaya made her debut as an author with the 2013 book Between U and Me, offering advice to her young fans.