How Zendaya went from a Disney Channel star to a blockbuster darling

Anjelica OswaldSep 2, 2020, 01:43 IST

Zendaya is dominating Hollywood.Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Zendaya broke out as a Disney Channel star when she was 14 years old.
Now, the actress/singer/activist has gone on to become a blockbuster star in films like "Spider-Man: Homecoming" and "The Greatest Showman."
The star has released her own album, written a book, and dropped a clothing line.
Recently, Zendaya has been starring on HBO's gritty teen drama, "Euphoria."

Zendaya has gone from a Disney Channel star to a box-office wonder, and it doesn't look like her Hollywood moment is going to end any time soon.

She was only 14 years old when she appeared in her first on-screen role on "Shake It Up." Since then, she has written a book, designed her own clothing line, and joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Here's a look at how Zendaya has taken over Hollywood.

Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman was born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California.

Zendaya grew up in California. Peter Kramer/AP Photo

Her very first audition was for a school play.

Zendaya was cast as a silkworm in "James and the Giant Peach." Valerie Macon/Getty Images

She quickly got into dancing at a young age.

Zendaya is a talented dancer. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Zendaya started her career as a backup dancer for Selena Gomez and as a Kidz Bop Kid.

Zendaya used to sing for Kidz Bop. Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Zendaya danced her way into one of the lead roles on the Disney Channel's "Shake It Up."

"Shake It Up" ran for three seasons. Disney Channel

As a rising Disney star, Zendaya appeared on other shows and in original movies on the network.

Zendaya in "Zapped." Disney Channel

In 2013, she released her self-titled debut album.

"Zendaya" was her first studio album. Grant Pollard/Invision/AP

The same year as her album debut, she competed on "Dancing With the Stars."

Her partner was Valentin Chmerkovskiy. ABC

She also published the book "Between U and Me: How to Rock Your Tween Years with Style and Confidence."

She was inspired by questions fans had asked her. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for KCA

In 2015, she began starring on and producing the Disney Channel show, "K.C. Undercover."

Zendaya on "K.C. Undercover." Disney Channel

At the 2015 Oscars, Zendaya defended her locs against negative comments, and Mattel created a Barbie in her likeness to honor her activism.

The toy company made a doll based on her Oscars look. Christopher Polk/Getty Images; Kevin Winter/Getty Images

That same year, she dabbled in the music industry a bit more.

Zendaya in the "Bad Blood" music video. Big Machine Records

She also called out a magazine for retouching her body and contributing to "unrealistic ideals of beauty."

Zendaya was not happy with the finished product of the photoshoot for Modeliste. Dia Dipasupil/GettyImages

In 2016, she announced that she would be the new face of CoverGirl.

Zendaya loves to experiment with beauty and fashion. Jason Kempin/Getty Images for GLAAD

Zendaya worked on music projects with other artists a few more times in 2016.

Zendaya's voice has been on a few soundtracks. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

She released her own clothing line, Daya by Zendaya.

Zendaya is known for her iconic fashion looks, and she designed some of her own. Phil Mccarten/Invision/AP

Some of her last few forrays into the music industry took place in 2017.

Zendaya in the "Versace on the Floor" video. Atlantic Records

Zendaya was cast in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017), her first feature film.

Zendaya joined the MCU in "Spider-Man: Homecoming." Chuck Zlotnick/Sony Pictures Entertainment

That same year, she starred in the hit movie-musical "The Greatest Showman" (2017).

Zendaya played trapeze artist Anne Wheeler. 20th Century Fox

In 2018, Zendaya became an ambassador for Lancôme.

Lancôme International global brand president Francoise Lehmann and Zendaya. Rachel Murray/Getty Images

That same year, she added voice acting to her long list of talents.

Zendaya has done some voice-acting work. Robert Marquardt/Getty Images

In 2018, the biographical thriller "A White Lie" was announced.

The film was acquired by Sony in 2018. David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

In 2019, Zendaya said she was stepping away from music for a bit.

Zendaya stepped back from music in 2019 to focus on acting. ANGELA WEISS/AFP/Getty Images

In 2019, Zendaya teamed up with designer Tommy Hilfiger for a collaboration.

Tommy Hilfiger and Zendaya at the Tommy Hilfiger TOMMYNOW show in 2019. Tim P. Whitby/WireImage/Getty Images

She also reprised her role in the sequel "Spider-Man: Far From Home" (2019).

Zendaya in "Spider-Man: Far From Home." JoJo Whilden/Sony Pictures

The actress appeared on the second season of Netflix's "The OA."

Zendaya on "The OA." Netflix

Zendaya was cast as Rue on HBO's gritty teen drama "Euphoria."

Zendaya on "Euphoria." HBO

The actress has a few big film projects in the works.

Zendaya is set to appear in some upcoming movies. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

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