Zendaya is more than just a star. She is a multi-talented artist, a role model, and a voice for change. She has captivated audiences with her performances in movies, TV shows, and music, earning acclaim and awards for her work. She has also used her platform to speak up for various causes and movements, such as racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, women’s empowerment, and environmental protection.
But what is Zendaya’s ethnicity? Is she black? What is her mixed heritage? In this article, we will explore these questions and learn more about Zendaya’s family background, cultural identity, and personal views. We will discover how Zendaya’s diverse roots have shaped her as a person and as an artist, and how she embraces and celebrates her identity.
Ethnicity: A Mixture of African and European Roots
Her ethnicity is mixed, as she has both African and European ancestry. Her father, Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, is African-American, with roots in Nigeria and Arkansas. Her mother, Claire Stoermer, is Caucasian, with German, Irish, English, and Scottish heritage. Her name comes from the Shona language of Zimbabwe, meaning “to give thanks”. Her middle name, Maree, is French, but with an Africanized spelling. Zendaya has said that her name celebrates her diverse roots: “I get a mixture of all the worlds”.
Zenwas born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California, where she grew up with her parents and five older half-siblings from her father’s previous marriage. Her parents were both teachers who encouraged her to pursue her passion for the arts. She started acting, singing, and dancing at a young age, and joined the California Shakespeare Theater and the American Conservatory Theater. She also attended the Oakland School for the Arts, where she studied theater and dance.
Zendaya’s ethnicity and mixed heritage have been a source of curiosity and sometimes controversy for many people. She has faced questions and comments about her race, skin color, hair, and features throughout her career. She has also been praised and criticized for her choices of roles, outfits, and statements on various issues. Zen has always been vocal and proud of her identity, and has used her platform to advocate for diversity, inclusion, and representation in the entertainment industry and beyond.
Is She Black?
| Ethnicity | African-American (with Nigerian and Arkansan roots) and Caucasian (with German, Irish, English, and Scottish roots) |
|---|---|
| Name | Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman |
| Parents | Kazembe Ajamu Coleman (father) and Claire Stoermer (mother) |
| Siblings | Annabella, Austin, Katianna, Kaylee, and Julien (half-siblings from father’s previous marriage) |
| Birthdate | September 1, 1996 |
| Birthplace | Oakland, California |
| Occupation | Actress, singer, dancer, model, and activist |
| Awards | Primetime Emmy Award, BET Award, People’s Choice Award, Golden Globe Award, and others |
| Roles | Rocky Blue in Shake It Up, MJ in Spider-Man, Anne Wheeler in The Greatest Showman, Rue Bennett in Euphoria, Chani in Dune, and others |
| Causes | UNICEF, Black Lives Matter, Convoy of Hope, The Thirst Project, and others |
Family: A Blend of Cultures and Histories
Zendaya’s family is a blend of cultures and histories, reflecting her mixed ethnicity and heritage. Her father, Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, was born Samuel David Coleman, but changed his name to honor his Nigerian roots. He is a descendant of the Igbo people of Nigeria, who were enslaved and brought to America during the transatlantic slave trade. He is also a descendant of African-Americans from Arkansas, who worked as sharecroppers in the South. Zen paternal grandparents, Phillip Coleman and Thelma Coleman, were both born in Arkansas and moved to California in the 1950s.
Zendaya’s mother, Claire Stoermer, is a descendant of European immigrants who settled in America in the 18th and 19th centuries. She has German, Irish, English, and Scottish ancestry, and traces her family tree to several notable figures, such as William Bradford, a leader of the Plymouth Colony, and Hugh Rose, a Scottish nobleman. Her maternal grandparents, Henry Stoermer and Daphne Stoermer, were both born in Iowa and moved to California in the 1960s.
Zendaya’s parents met in Oakland, where they both worked as teachers at Fruitvale Elementary School. They got married in 2008, when she was 12 years old, but later divorced in 2016. They remain on good terms and support her career and endeavors.
Zen has said that her parents taught her to appreciate and respect her diverse heritage, and to be proud of who she is. She has also said that her parents exposed her to different cultures, languages, and religions, and that she considers herself a spiritual person.
Her siblings are Annabella, Austin, Katianna, Kaylee, and Julien, who are her father’s children from his previous marriage. Zen is the youngest and the only child of her parents. She is close with her siblings and often posts pictures and videos with them on her social media accounts. Her siblings are also involved in various fields, such as music, education, and business. Zen has said that her siblings are her best friends and role models and that they have influenced her in many ways.
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Identity: A Voice for Diversity and Inclusion
Zendaya’s identity is a voice for diversity and inclusion, as she uses her fame and influence to speak out on issues that affect her and others. She has been vocal about her experiences and opinions on race, colorism, representation, beauty, and empowerment, among other topics. She has also been involved in various initiatives and campaigns that promote social justice, education, health, and environment, such as UNICEF, Black Lives Matter, Convoy of Hope, and The Thirst Project.
She has faced many challenges and controversies regarding her identity and ethnicity, especially in the entertainment industry. She has been questioned and criticized for her appearance, such as her skin tone, hair texture, and facial features. She has also been praised and criticized for her choices of roles, such as playing MJ in Spider-Man, a character traditionally portrayed as white, and playing Rue in Euphoria, a character struggling with addiction and mental health issues. Zen has always handled these situations with grace and confidence, and has defended her identity and choices.
Zendaya has also celebrated and embraced her identity and ethnicity, and has used them as sources of inspiration and creativity. She has expressed her identity and ethnicity through her fashion, music, and art, and has collaborated with various artists and designers who share her vision and values. She has also inspired and empowered many people, especially young people of color, who look up to her as a role model and a leader. She has said that she hopes to use her platform to make a positive impact and to create more opportunities and spaces for diversity and inclusion .
Zendaya is a multifaceted and multitalented star, who has achieved success and recognition in various fields and genres. She is also a proud and outspoken person, who has a mixed ethnicity and heritage that reflect her diverse and rich background, family, and identity. She is a voice for diversity and inclusion, who uses her fame and influence to speak out on issues that matter to her and others. She is a role model and a leader, who inspires and empowers millions of fans around the world.
