Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, known mononymously as Zendaya, is an acclaimed American actress and singer who has achieved notable recognition and several accolades including two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022. Born and raised in Oakland, California, she began her career as a child model and backup dancer. She first came into the limelight through the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up. Her film career took off when she played MJ in the superhero film Spider-Man: Homecoming and its sequels. Her performance as Rue Bennett, a struggling drug-addict teenager, in HBO's Euphoria, made her the youngest recipient of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Zendaya's diverse film roles span across musicals like The Greatest Showman, to science fiction films like Dune. In parallel to her acting career, Zendaya also pursued a music career, releasing singles like 'Swag It Out' and 'Watch Me', and her debut album in 2013. The album's lead single, 'Replay', reached the top 40 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California, Zendaya is of mixed ethnicity with African, German, and Scottish descent. She was raised in a family where arts and performance were encouraged. She joined a hip-hop dance troupe at the age of 8, and partook in theatrical performances where her mother worked. She honed her craft at the Oakland School for the Arts and performed in several William Shakespeare's plays. Zendaya moved to Los Angeles in the seventh grade to advance her acting career. Her initial career moves involved modeling for brands like Macy's, Mervyns, and Old Navy, and featuring in commercials. Her breakthrough came with Disney Channel's sitcoms Shake It Up and K.C. Undercover. Zendaya's film roles evolved in variety and complexity over the years with performances in The Greatest Showman, Spider-Man franchise, Dune, and others. She played a crucial role in series like Euphoria which earned her critical acclaim and recognition. Off-screen, Zendaya has created an impressive footprint in the music industry, fashion world with her own clothing line, and philanthropy with contributions towards multiple charities.