Career Timeline of Zendaya: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Zendaya, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman is a prominent American actress and singer recognized for her talent and influence. She has received prestigious accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award, solidifying her status in the entertainment industry. In 2022, Time magazine acknowledged her impact by naming her one of the world's 100 most influential people, highlighting her significant cultural relevance.
November 2009: Auditioned for Shake It Up
In November 2009, Zendaya auditioned for the role of CeCe Jones in the Disney sitcom Shake It Up (originally titled Dance Dance Chicago), performing Michael Jackson's "Leave Me Alone". She was selected to play Rocky Blue.
November 7, 2010: Shake It Up Premiered on Disney Channel
On November 7, 2010, Shake It Up premiered on Disney Channel, achieving high viewership.
2010: Television Debut in Shake It Up
In 2010, Zendaya made her television debut as Rocky Blue in the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up.
September 18, 2011: Premiere of Shake It Up Season 2
On September 18, 2011, the second season of Shake It Up premiered, continuing Zendaya's role on the show.
2011: Released Singles "Swag It Out" and "Watch Me"
In 2011, Zendaya released the singles "Swag It Out" and "Watch Me", the latter a collaboration with Bella Thorne.
June 2012: Shake It Up Renewed for a Third Season
In June 2012, Shake It Up was renewed for a third and final season, continuing Zendaya's role as Rocky Blue.
September 2, 2012: Signed to Hollywood Records
On September 2, 2012, Zendaya signed to Hollywood Records, a significant step in her music career.
October 2012: Performance at Operation Smile Benefit and Ambassador for Convoy of Hope
In October 2012, Zendaya performed at the Operation Smile benefit and became an ambassador for Convoy of Hope, encouraging fans to support Hurricane Sandy response efforts.
2012: Signed with Hollywood Records
In 2012, Zendaya signed with Hollywood Records, marking a step in her music career.
July 16, 2013: Release of "Replay"
On July 16, 2013, Zendaya released the single "Replay", written by Tiffany Fred and Paul "Phamous" Shelton.
August 2013: Release of Between U and Me
In August 2013, Zendaya released her debut book, Between U and Me: How to Rock Your Tween Years with Style and Confidence.
August 2013: Cast in Zapped
In August 2013, Zendaya was cast as Zoey Stevens in the Disney Channel Original Movie Zapped.
September 17, 2013: Release of Debut Album
On September 17, 2013, Zendaya's self-titled debut album was released, featuring the single "Replay".
October 2013: Participation in P&G's Mean Stinks Movement
In October 2013, Zendaya took part in P&G's Mean Stinks movement and co-hosted a nationwide live-streamed assembly joined by almost 500 schools.
2013: End of Shake It Up
In 2013, Zendaya concluded her role as Rocky Blue in the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up.
2013: Released Debut Album Zendaya
In 2013, Zendaya released her first studio album Zendaya, which included the single "Replay".
May 2014: Disney Channel ordered K.C. Undercover to series.
In May 2014, Disney Channel ordered the series formerly known as Super Awesome Katy to series under the title K.C. Undercover, with Zendaya playing the lead role as K.C. Cooper.
2014: Recording of John Legend's "All of Me"
In 2014, Zendaya recorded John Legend's song "All of Me" with a portion of the proceeds going to Convoy of Hope.
January 18, 2015: K.C. Undercover Premiered on Disney Channel
On January 18, 2015, K.C. Undercover premiered on Disney Channel, with Zendaya in the lead role.
May 2015: K.C. Undercover Renewed for a Second Season
In May 2015, K.C. Undercover was renewed for a second season, continuing Zendaya's role on the show.
July 2015: Visit to South Africa with UNAIDS
In July 2015, Zendaya visited South Africa with UNAIDS, dedicated to preventing and creating access to treatment for HIV and AIDS and held a fundraiser for Ikageng charity.
August 2015: Introduction of Daya Shoe Collection
In August 2015, Zendaya introduced her shoe collection called Daya, her childhood nickname.
2015: Starred in K.C. Undercover
In 2015, Zendaya starred as K.C. in the Disney Channel sitcom K.C. Undercover.
October 2016: Participation in "Vote Your Future" Initiative
In October 2016, Zendaya participated in the "Vote Your Future" initiative and appeared in a campaign video.
November 2016: Launch of Daya by Zendaya Clothing Line
In November 2016, Zendaya's clothing line Daya by Zendaya went on sale, featuring a gender-fluid second collection with a full range of sizes.
December 2016: Guest Judge on Project Runway
In December 2016, Zendaya appeared as a guest judge in the season finale of the 15th season of Project Runway.
2016: 20th Birthday Campaign for Convoy's Women's Empowerment Initiative
In 2016, Zendaya celebrated her 20th birthday with a campaign to raise $50,000 to support Convoy's Women's Empowerment Initiative.
July 2017: Feature Film Debut in Spider-Man: Homecoming
In July 2017, Zendaya made her feature film debut as Michelle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Spider-Man: Homecoming.
September 2017: Partnership with Verizon Foundation for #WeNeedMore Initiative
In September 2017, Zendaya partnered with Verizon Foundation as a spokesperson for their national #WeNeedMore initiative.
September 2017: Fronting PSA for Stomp Out Bullying
In September 2017, Zendaya, along with her Spider-Man: Homecoming costars, fronted a PSA for awareness campaign Stomp Out Bullying.
December 2017: Co-starred in The Greatest Showman
In December 2017, Zendaya co-starred in the original musical film The Greatest Showman, portraying a trapeze artist.
2017: Feature Film Debut in Spider-Man: Homecoming
In 2017, Zendaya made her feature film debut as MJ in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Spider-Man: Homecoming.
2017: Released "Rewrite the Stars" from The Greatest Showman soundtrack
In 2017, Zendaya's collaboration with Zac Efron, "Rewrite the Stars", from The Greatest Showman soundtrack, achieved significant success.
March 2018: Teaming up with Google.org to Support Oakland Students
In March 2018, Zendaya teamed up with Google.org to support students at a community school in Oakland by funding a computer science curriculum.
September 2018: Voiced Meechee in Smallfoot
In September 2018, Zendaya voiced the yeti Meechee in the Warner Bros. animated film Smallfoot.
October 2018: Becoming Tommy Hilfiger Brand Ambassador
In October 2018, Zendaya became Tommy Hilfiger's brand ambassador and co-designed Tommy x Zendaya capsule collections.
2018: End of K.C. Undercover
In 2018, Zendaya finished her role as K.C. in the Disney Channel sitcom K.C. Undercover.
2019: Spokesmodel for Lancôme
In 2019, Zendaya became a spokesmodel for Lancôme.
2019: Reprised Role in Spider-Man: Far from Home
In 2019, Zendaya reprised her role as MJ in Spider-Man: Far from Home.
June 2020: Participation in George Floyd Protests
In June 2020, Zendaya took part in the George Floyd protests and lent her Instagram account to Patrisse Cullors to share anti-racism resources.
September 2020: InStyle Issue with All Black Designers
In September 2020, Zendaya and her stylist, Law Roach, chose to use all black designers, artists, and creatives for the InStyle issue.
September 2020: Encouragement for Voter Registration with Michelle Obama
In September 2020, Zendaya encouraged her fans with Michelle Obama and her "When We All Vote" nonpartisan organization, to check their voter registration.
September 2020: Donation from Malcolm & Marie Proceeds to Feeding America
In September 2020, a portion of the proceeds from Malcolm & Marie was shared with Feeding America.
October 2020: Visionary Award at CNMI Green Carpet Fashion Awards
In October 2020, Zendaya won the Visionary Award at the CNMI Green Carpet Fashion Awards for promoting diversity and inclusion in fashion and film.
2020: Won Primetime Emmy Award
In 2020, Zendaya won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in Euphoria, becoming the youngest winner of the award at the age of 24.
2020: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
In 2020, at age 24, Zendaya became the youngest recipient of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Rue Bennett in Euphoria.
2020: Initial Announcement of Be My Baby Biopic
In 2020, the Be My Baby biopic was first announced with Ronnie Spector attached to the project.
2021: Starred in Dune and Spider-Man: No Way Home
In 2021, Zendaya starred as MJ in Spider-Man: No Way Home and as Chani in the science fiction film Dune.
2021: Starred in Malcolm & Marie
In 2021, Zendaya starred in Malcolm & Marie, a film shot during the COVID-19 pandemic following safety protocols.
June 2022: Glaceau Smartwater Global Brand Ambassador
In June 2022, Zendaya was announced as the global brand ambassador of Glaceau Smartwater.
2022: Co-writing and performing songs for Euphoria Season 2
In 2022, Zendaya co-wrote two songs, "I'm Tired" and "Elliot's Song," for the second season of Euphoria, also performing as a vocalist on "I'm Tired." Additionally, she received four Emmy nominations for her performance as Rue in Euphoria's second season, becoming the youngest two-time nominee in Emmy history and the youngest woman nominated for producing.
2022: Second Primetime Emmy Award for Euphoria
In 2022, Zendaya won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for her role as Rue Bennett in Euphoria for the second time, becoming the youngest two-time acting winner.
October 2023: Support for Palestine
In October 2023, Zendaya voiced support for Palestine.
2023: Documentary Appearance and Coachella Performance
In 2023, Zendaya appeared in Elvis Mitchell's documentary Is That Black Enough For You?!?, joined Labrinth for a surprise performance at Coachella during the second weekend, marking her return to the stage after eight years and was featured on the opening song "The Feels" of Labrinth's third album Ends & Begins. She also appeared in the documentary film Invisible Beauty.
2023: Becoming Louis Vuitton Ambassador
In 2023, Zendaya became an ambassador for Louis Vuitton.
2023: CinemaCon Star of the Year Award
In 2023, Zendaya received the CinemaCon Star of the Year Award.
2023: Winning Golden Globe Award for Euphoria and Receiving SAG Nomination
In 2023, Zendaya won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama at the 80th Golden Globe Awards and received a Screen Actors Guild Awards nomination for her work in Euphoria.
2024: Starring in Dune: Part Two and Challengers
In 2024, Zendaya reprised her role as Chani in Dune: Part Two, which was released in March to positive reviews. She also starred in and produced Challengers, released in April, receiving critical acclaim for her performance.
2024: Acted in Challengers and Dune: Part Two
In 2024, Zendaya starred in Challengers and Dune: Part Two.
March 2025: Casting as Ronnie Spector in Be My Baby biopic
In March 2025, Zendaya was announced to play Ronnie Spector in the biopic Be My Baby, also serving as producer.
2026: Upcoming Roles in The Drama, The Odyssey, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day
In 2026, Zendaya is set to star in The Drama, The Odyssey, and reprise her role as MJ in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, as well as Rue Bennett in the third season of Euphoria.
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