Zendaya ethnicity is mixed, as her father is black while her mother is white, embodying a combination of European and African heritage.
Zendaya, the American actress and singer, rose to prominence with her roles as Rocky Blue in “Shake It Up” (2010-2013) and Rue Bennett in “Euphoria” (2019–present), captivating audiences with her talent.
She made her feature film debut in 2017 with the superhero movie “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” continuing her role in its sequels.
Some of her highly acclaimed works include “The Greatest Showman,” “Dune: Part Two,” “K.C. Undercover,” “Black-ish,” and more, while she readies herself for the role of Tashi in the 2024 film “Challengers.”
Zendaya, aged 27, has been honored with several awards, including Primetime Emmy Awards, BET Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and others, for her roles in both movies and series.
Beginning as a child model and backup dancer, she progressed to become a role model inspiring youth across the nation.
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Zendaya Ethnicity: Is She Black?
Zendaya’s race and ethnic background have been subjects of considerable discussion among her fans and the public.
As one of the youngest and most vibrant stars in Hollywood, she fearlessly expresses herself and takes pride in her roots.
Zendaya’s ethnicity is mixed, as her father’s heritage traces back to African-American roots from Arkansas and Nigerian ancestry, while her mother is of European descent with German, Irish, English, and Scottish roots.
Zendaya, in the Shona language, carries the meaning “to give thanks,” originating from the linguistic heritage of the Shona people in Zimbabwe.
Zendaya’s racial identity is multiracial, representing a fusion of African and Caucasian ethnicities.
Born Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, her middle name, ‘Maree,’ with its French origin and Africanized spelling, symbolizes her European ancestry.
Zendaya’s father, Kazembe Ajamu, initially bore the name Samuel David Coleman but later changed it to honor his Nigerian roots. He originates from a family with ties to Arkansas.
Zendaya’s paternal grandparents worked as sharecroppers in the southern state, adding depth to her familial history and cultural roots.
In a YouTube video for Immigrant Heritage Month, Zendaya expressed that her mother takes pride in her origins, history, and past, as does her father.
In 2018, she declared at the Beautycon Festival that she embodies the industry’s “acceptable version of a black girl,” advocating for the eradication of colorism in beauty and entertainment. She added:
As a light-skinned black woman it’s important that I’m using my privilege, my platform, to show you how much beauty there is in the African-American community.
Zendaya found growing up biracial in America relatively easy despite its challenges. She once mentioned that seeing color is difficult as she exists in the gray area, and she learned to embrace and be proud of both aspects of herself.
Meet Zendaya’s Parents: Father Kazembe Ajamu Coleman & Mother Claire Stoermer
Born on September 1, 1996, Zendaya was raised in Oakland, California, USA, and her birth name is Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman.
She came into the world as the daughter of Claire Stoermer, her mother, and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, her father.
Her dad’s professional background is as a former teacher and Zendaya’s manager, while her mom worked as a house manager at California Shakespeare Theater.
Her family includes her maternal grandparents Phillip Hilary Stoermer and Daphne Carol Whitelaw. She has five older paternal half-siblings, namely Katianna, Austin, Julien, Annabella, and Kaylee Stoermer Coleman from her dad’s previous marriage.
While Zendaya was in seventh grade, her family decided to move to Los Angeles.
For her education, she attended Fruitvale Elementary School, and Oakland School for the Arts in Oakland, California, and eventually graduated from Oak Park High School in 2015.
Additionally, she has undergone training at the California Shakespeare Theater, the CalShakes Conservatory Program, and the American Conservatory Theater.
Unfortunately, Zendaya’s parents initiated divorce proceedings in 2016, signaling the end of their eight-year marriage. Claire, her mother, allegedly cited irreconcilable differences in the court filings.
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