Introduction
Zendaya is an American actress, singer, producer, and fashion personality who has become one of the most prominent entertainment figures of her generation. Born Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California, she is 29 years old in 2026. She first became widely known through Disney Channel productions before transitioning into major film and television roles.
Her career reached a new level with HBO’s Euphoria, where she plays Rue Bennett. The role earned her multiple awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She is also internationally recognized for playing MJ in the Spider-Man film series and Chani in Dune and Dune: Part Two.
Zendaya’s estimated net worth in 2026 is generally reported in the tens of millions of dollars, although exact figures are not publicly audited. Her income comes from acting, producing, endorsements, fashion partnerships, and other entertainment projects.
Quick Facts About Zendaya
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman |
| Date of Birth | September 1, 1996 |
| Age in 2026 | 29 years old |
| Birthplace | Oakland, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, Singer, Producer, Fashion Personality |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | Approximately 59 kg / 130 lbs (estimated) |
| Net Worth 2026 | Estimated around $30 million |
| Known For | Euphoria, Spider-Man, Dune, The Greatest Showman |
| Parents | Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman |
| Zodiac Sign | Virgo |
Note: Weight and net-worth figures are estimates because Zendaya does not regularly publish official financial or body measurements.
Early Life and Background
Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman was born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California. Her mother, Claire Stoermer, worked as a teacher, while her father, Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, worked in education and later became involved in managing Zendaya’s career.
Zendaya grew up in a family with strong connections to education and performance. Her mother worked at a local school, and Zendaya developed an interest in the arts from a young age.
As a child, she participated in dance and theater activities. She studied at the Oakland School for the Arts, where she developed her performance skills and became increasingly interested in acting.
Her early training included dance. She was involved with the Future Shock Oakland dance group and also performed with the California Shakespeare Theater’s youth program.
Before becoming a major television actress, Zendaya worked as a model and appeared in advertising campaigns. These experiences helped her become comfortable performing in front of cameras and audiences.
Her childhood in California also exposed her to theater, dance, and different forms of creative performance. Rather than entering Hollywood immediately as a film actress, she built her career gradually through modeling, commercials, television, and music.
Career Journey and Rise to Fame
Zendaya’s major television breakthrough came when she was cast in the Disney Channel series Shake It Up.
Shake It Up
In 2010, Zendaya began playing Rocky Blue in Shake It Up, alongside Bella Thorne. The series became popular among Disney Channel viewers and gave Zendaya significant exposure at a relatively young age.
The role helped establish her as a young entertainer who could combine acting, dancing, comedy, and music.
While working on Disney Channel projects, she also began developing a music career. In 2013, she released her self-titled debut studio album, Zendaya. The album included the single “Replay,” which became one of her most recognized songs.
Dancing with the Stars
Zendaya also competed on the sixteenth season of Dancing with the Stars in 2013. She partnered with professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy and finished as the runner-up.
The competition demonstrated her dance abilities to a broader television audience and further expanded her profile beyond Disney Channel.
K.C. Undercover
Zendaya later starred in another Disney Channel series, K.C. Undercover. She played K.C. Cooper, a teenage girl who becomes a spy.
The show ran for several seasons and gave Zendaya greater involvement behind the scenes. She served as a producer on the series, an important early step toward taking greater creative control over her work.
This period marked a transition in her career. She was no longer simply known as a Disney Channel performer; she was beginning to establish herself as an actress and producer.
Zendaya’s Hollywood Film Career
Zendaya’s move into major Hollywood films significantly increased her international recognition.
The Greatest Showman
In 2017, Zendaya appeared as Anne Wheeler in The Greatest Showman, starring alongside Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, and Michelle Williams.
The musical was a major commercial success and introduced Zendaya to an even larger international audience.
Her performance and musical contributions, particularly “Rewrite the Stars” with Zac Efron, became an important part of the film’s popularity.
Spider-Man
One of Zendaya’s biggest career milestones came when she was cast as Michelle “MJ” Jones in the Marvel/Sony Spider-Man films starring Tom Holland.
She appeared in Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017, followed by Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019 and Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021.
The Spider-Man franchise became one of the most commercially successful film series in modern cinema, giving Zendaya a global audience.
Her character developed significantly across the films, moving from a supporting role into Peter Parker’s primary romantic relationship.
Dune
Zendaya also became part of the Dune franchise, directed by Denis Villeneuve.
She played Chani, a member of the Fremen people and an important character in the story. Although her role in the first Dune film was comparatively limited, her importance increased substantially in Dune: Part Two.
Dune: Part Two was released in 2024 and received widespread critical acclaim. Zendaya’s performance as Chani became one of the most discussed elements of the film.
Her work in the Dune franchise demonstrated her ability to move from youth-oriented entertainment into large-scale science-fiction and dramatic cinema.
Zendaya in Euphoria
One of the most important projects in Zendaya’s career is HBO’s Euphoria.
She plays Rue Bennett, a teenager dealing with addiction, relationships, family difficulties, and emotional struggles.
The role was considerably different from her earlier Disney Channel work. Euphoria allowed Zendaya to demonstrate a more mature dramatic range.
Her performance received major critical recognition.
In 2020, Zendaya won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in Euphoria. At the time, she became the youngest winner of the category.
She won the same Emmy category again in 2022, becoming the first actress to win the award twice for the same role.
The series transformed Zendaya’s reputation in Hollywood. She was no longer primarily viewed as a former Disney Channel star. Instead, she became recognized as an award-winning dramatic actress.
Harvey Glen