Author: Georgie HollandPublished 30th Apr 2024
Last updated 8 hours ago
Zendaya has undoubtedly become one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actresses. From her humble beginnings on Disney Channel, the 27-year-old has risen to prominence as a household name, captivating audiences with her performances in hit TV shows like Euphoria and blockbuster films such as Spider-Man and Dune. Not content with just acting, Zendaya has also showcased her talents on the music stage and even graced the Coachella stage.

Her journey to stardom began over a decade ago when she made her debut on Disney Channel in 2010. Since then, Zendaya has effortlessly transitioned into the world of feature films, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards along the way. Notably, she also took on the role of executive producer for the acclaimed series Euphoria.

As Zendaya continues to conquer new heights in her career, fans eagerly anticipate her upcoming projects, eager to see what she’ll tackle next. And now, with the unveiling of her own waxwork, it’s clear that Zendaya’s star power knows no bounds.

Zendaya’s career timeline: How did she become famous?

2010: Zendaya joins the cast of Disney’s Shake It Up’

Zendaya first got her big break when she joined the cast of the hit Disney Channel TV show Shake It Up. The show premiered on 7th November 2010 and was watched by a whopping 6.2 million viewers, propelling Zendaya into a world of fame from a very young age.

She starred on the show alongside Bella Thorne, as the show continued for three seasons, with the last episode airing on 10th November 2013.

2011: The start of Zendaya’s music career

Zendaya released her first single ‘Swag it Out’ in 2011. The single was released independently. In June of the same year, she released the song ‘Watch Me’ featuring her Shake It Up co-star Bella Thorne. This second song was more successful, peaking at 86 on the Billboard Hot 100.

These releases marked the beginning of Zendaya’s music career.

2012: Zendaya stars in her first film

In 2012 Zendaya starred in Frenemies, marking her first film role. She starred in the Disney Channel film alongside her Shake it Up costar Bella Thorne, in what was the beginning of her incredibly successful movie career.

March – May 2013: Zendaya takes part in Dancing With the Stars

In 2013, Zendaya embarked on a new challenge by joining the cast of the 16th season of Dancing With the Stars. At just 16 years old, she made history as the youngest contestant ever to grace the show’s stage. Paired with professional dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Zendaya showcased her incredible talent and grace throughout the competition.

Together, Zendaya and Valentin wowed both judges and audiences alike, earning themselves a spot in the final showdown. Despite their impressive performances, they ultimately fell short of the top prize, losing out to country music singer Kellie Pickler and her dance partner Derek Hough. While Zendaya may have finished as a runner-up, her journey on Dancing With the Stars undoubtedly catapulted her into the spotlight, further solidifying her status as a rising star in the entertainment industry.

2013: Debut album ‘Zendaya’

In September 2013, Zendaya released her debut, self-titled, album. She began recording for the album with Hollywood Records a year prior, in August 2012.

Zendaya described her sound as ‘pop music with an urban twist’ – and it’s fair to say the album is full of bops!

June 2014: Disney’s Zapped

In 2014, Zendaya starred in another Disney creation, in the form of the original movie Zapped.

Zendaya starred in multiple films and series for Disney Channel, taking on the main role in K.C. Undercover from 2015.

September 2014: Zendaya’s 18th birthday and FeedONE

Zendaya marked her 18th birthday in a remarkable way by leveraging her influence to make a positive impact. Instead of throwing a lavish celebration, she chose to use her platform to advocate for a worthy cause. Zendaya encouraged her friends and fans to join forces with Convoy of Hope and feedONE, organizations dedicated to fighting hunger, particularly among children.

Through this initiative, Zendaya aimed to provide sustenance for children in need by supporting three schools, ensuring that they would receive meals for an entire year. This selfless act demonstrated Zendaya’s commitment to making a difference in the world and using her platform for good, setting a shining example for others to follow.

July 2017: Zendaya lands role in Spider-Man: Homecoming

In 2017, Zendaya made her debut as Michelle (MJ) in Spider-Man: Homecoming, starring alongside Tom Holland. This was Zendaya’s first feature film, beginning a very successful career in movies.

December 2017: Zendaya stars in The Greatest Showman

Later in 2017, Zendaya landed the role of Anne Wheeler in The Greatest Showman. She starred alongside Zac Efron and Hugh Jackman, with her character having an on-screen romance with Zac (or as he’s known in the film, Phillip Carlyle).

Zendaya and Zac had an incredible connection in the film, with them singing the duet ‘Rewrite The Stars’.

Of course, as any good on-screen romance does, the film sparked rumours that Zac and Zendaya were dating – however, this turned out to be exactly that, a rumour!

2018: Zendaya becomes an ambassador for Lancôme

A year later, in 2018, Zendaya became a global ambassador for the beauty brand Lancôme. At just 22-years-old, she became their youngest ever ambassador of Lancôme, who are typically associated with more ‘mature’ women.

Lancôme global brand president Françoise Lehmann said: “Today, we are happy to announce we have a new member joining our family. She is young but wise beyond her years. Zendaya brings a youthful and a unique approach to beauty that perfectly complements Lancôme’s vision and creativity.”

2019: The OA and Euphoria

In 2019, Zendaya appeared in season two of Netflix’s The OA, appearing as a character named Fola.

In June, Zendaya secured what could be considered her most significant television role yet, starring in HBO’s Euphoria as the main character, Rue. This marked a significant milestone in her career, elevating her status as an actress. Joining a talented ensemble cast that included notable names such as Jacob Elordi from The Kissing Booth, Alexa Demie, and Barbie Ferreira, Zendaya embraced the complex role of Rue with depth and nuance.

One notable highlight of her performance in Euphoria was her musical collaboration with Labrinth on the track “All for Us,” featured in the final episode of the first season. This showcased Zendaya’s versatility as both an actress and a singer, further solidifying her status as a multifaceted talent. The show’s immense success led to its renewal for a second season, underscoring Zendaya’s integral role in its popularity and acclaim.

July 2019: Zendaya returns in Spider-Man: Far From Home

2019 was another busy year for the actress, as Zendaya returned for another Spider-Man film, reprising her role as MJ in Spider-Man: Far From Home. Again, working with fellow actors Tom Holland (Peter Parker/Spider-Man) and Jacob Batalon (Ned Leeds), Zendaya also co-starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal.

After a pretty dramatic ending to the film, fans couldn’t wait to see the gang return.

October 2021: Zendaya appears in Dune

In October 2021, Zendaya appeared in hit film Dune alongside Timothée Chalamet. Despite fans being slightly disappointed with the shot amount of time Zendaya actually appeared in the film, director Denis Villeneuve promised that her character would have a bigger role and more screen time in Dune Part II.

December 2021: Spider-Man: No Way Home

In December 2021, the highly anticipated Spider-Man: No Way Home swung into theaters, captivating audiences worldwide. The film shattered box office records, raking in over $600 million globally within just over a week of its release, making it the third highest-grossing opening in history.

Reprising her role alongside Tom Holland, Zendaya once again graced the screen as MJ, Peter Parker’s love interest. The film also featured a notable appearance by Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, whose character played a pivotal role in the movie’s storyline.

Leading up to the film’s release, excitement reached a fever pitch fueled by rumors of previous Spider-Man actors Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield making appearances. As fans eagerly anticipated, Doctor Strange’s spell gone awry resulted in Peter Parker and his cohorts being thrust into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This pivotal event also heralded the return of iconic Spider-Man villains from previous iterations, setting the stage for a thrilling and nostalgic reunion.

January 2022: Euphoria season two

After the roaring success of the first series, Euphoria was renewed for a second season which began to be released in January 2022.

The series saw the return of fan favourite characters, such as Zendaya’s Rue, Jules, Maddy, Cassie, Fezco and Nate Jacobs. Fans were also introduced to some new faces, as the season was set to be a dramatic one.

January 2022: Zendaya to play Ronnie Spector in upcoming biopic

Zendaya paid a touching tribute to Ronnie Spector following the musician’s death in January 2022. The actress is set to star as the late rock star in an upcoming biopic about her life, including her career as the lead singer of legendary girl group the Ronettes.

Paying tribute to Ronnie, Zendaya wrote: ‘This news just breaks my heart. To speak about her as if she’s not with us feels strange as she is so incredibly full of life. There’s not a time I saw her without her iconic red lips and full teased hair, a true rockstar through and through.

‘Ronnie, being able to know you has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Thank you for sharing your life with me, I could listen to your stories for hours and hours. Thank you for your unmeasured talent, your unwavering love for performing, your strength, resilience and your grace. There is absolutely nothing that could dim the light you cast.’

The Dune actress added, “I admire you so much and am so grateful for the bond we share. You are a magical force of greatness and the world of music will never be the same. I wish everyone got to experience you the way I did.”

“We celebrate your beautiful life and give you all the flowers you so rightfully deserve. Rest in great power Ronnie,” Zendaya concluded. “I hope to make you proud.”

February 2022: Waxwork at Madame Tussauds London

In February 2022, Madame Tussauds revealed that a brand new Zendaya waxwork was heading to their London exhibition!

The superstar’s waxwork figure will be displayed alongside a collection of fellow famous faces, including Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt, Kate Winslet, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Angelina Jolie.

September 2022: Zendaya picks up her second Emmy Award

In September, Zendaya won a second Emmy Award from her performance in Euphoria. She picked up the 2022 Award for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series, after winning that same award in 2020.

Pictured with Euphoria co-stars Maude Apatow, Hunter Schafer and Sydney Sweeney at the Euphoria FYC in December 2022

Jan 2023: Golden Globe win

At the 2023 Golden Globe Awards, Zendaya clinched the prestigious honor for Best Performance in a Television Series – Drama for her portrayal of Rue Bennett in Euphoria. Although unable to attend the ceremony in person, Zendaya took to Instagram to express her gratitude, thanking the Golden Globes for the recognition and extending appreciation to her fellow nominees and the Euphoria family. In her heartfelt post, she acknowledged the profound impact Rue has had on viewers and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to bring the character to life.

Additionally, Zendaya’s stellar performance in Euphoria garnered her a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, further solidifying her status as a powerhouse talent in the entertainment industry.

April 2023: Louis Vuitton ambassador

The exciting news was announced in April 2023 that Zendaya had officially joined Louis Vuitton as House Ambassador. After she made an appearance at the designer brand’s Paris Fashion Week show, fans began to speculate that she may be joining the house – with her shortly being unveiled as the face of the iconic Louis Vuitton Capucines bag, fronting campaigns for the stunning fashion piece.

April 2023: Zendaya joins Labrinth at Coachella

Zendaya, Labrinth and Euphoria fans alike were, well, euphoric when she joined the ‘Jealous’ singer on stage during his set at Coachella 2023. Performing at the Mojave Tent at the world-renowned festival, Zendaya joined the singer on stage to perform the track ‘All for Us’, which appears during the finale season one of the American teen drama series Euphoria, and also features Zendaya.

As fans of the show will know, Labrinth is the stunning vocals behind many songs that soundtrack the show, including ‘Still Don’t Know My Name’, ‘Forever’ and ‘Formula’.

February 2024: Second Challengers trailer is released

Although the movie was first announced back in 2022, the romantic sports drama film Challengers – set to star Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor – saw a setback in the release date due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.

With a fresh release date of 26th April 2024, Zendaya began to amp up the excitement as she released the second official trailer for the film in February.

March 2024: Dune Part II release

Following her appearance in Dune Part I in 2021, fans were eager to see more from Zendaya in the highly-anticipated sequel, which was finally released on 1st March 2024 following the original date being pushed back. Starring Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler, the film was a huge success and hit with fans – scoring an impressive 97% on the popular TV and film review site Rotten Tomatoes.

April 2024: Challengers release

On April 26th, the highly-anticipated Challengers film hit theaters, immediately skyrocketing to the top spot as the Number 1 movie in the US. With its stellar ensemble cast, the film’s success was hardly a surprise.

Leading up to the film’s premiere, Zendaya took to social media to share some behind-the-scenes snapshots from filming. In a heartfelt message accompanying the photos, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to take on a leading role in the film. Admitting to feeling nervous about her first time leading a film in such a capacity, Zendaya conveyed her appreciation for the excitement and encouragement she received from fans and colleagues alike. She also shared her honor in working alongside the immensely talented and humorous cast, expressing hopes that audiences would enjoy the film’s offerings. She signed off with a playful reminder not to judge the characters too harshly, ending with the hashtag #teamtashi.