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 highly acclaimed American actress and singer. She has received numerous awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award, recognizing her exceptional talent and contributions to the entertainment industry. In 2022, Time magazine acknowledged her significant influence by naming her one of the 100 most influential people in the world, highlighting her impact beyond her artistic achievements.
1965: Original Dune novel
In 2021, Zendaya played Chani in the first part of a two-part adaptation of the 1965 novel Dune by Denis Villeneuve.
1996: Release of Space Jam
In 2021, Zendaya voiced the character of Lola Bunny in Space Jam: A New Legacy because of her fandom with the original 1996 film.
November 2009: Audition for Shake It Up
In November 2009, Zendaya auditioned for the role of CeCe Jones in the Disney sitcom Shake It Up, which was titled Dance Dance Chicago at the time, and was selected to play Rocky Blue.
November 7, 2010: Premiere of Shake It Up
On November 7, 2010, Shake It Up premiered on Disney Channel, achieving high viewership and becoming Disney Channel's second highest-rated premiere in its 27-year history.
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 in the Disney Channel series.
2011: Release of "Swag It Out" and "Watch Me"
In 2011, Zendaya released the singles "Swag It Out" and "Watch Me", with the latter being a collaboration with Bella Thorne.
June 2012: Renewal of Shake It Up for a Third Season
In June 2012, the Disney Channel series Shake It Up, starring Zendaya, was renewed for a third and final season.
September 2, 2012: Signing with Hollywood Records
On September 2, 2012, Zendaya signed with Hollywood Records, marking an advancement in her music career.
October 2012: Operation Smile Benefit Performance
In October 2012, Zendaya performed at the medical Operation Smile benefit.
2012: Signing with Hollywood Records
In 2012, Zendaya signed with Hollywood Records, marking a significant step in her music career.
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: Casting in Zapped
In August 2013, Zendaya was cast as Zoey Stevens in the Disney Channel Original Movie Zapped, where her character's smartphone controls boys around her.
October 2013: Participation in Mean Stinks Movement
In October 2013, she took part in P&G's movement called Mean Stinks, and co-hosted the nationwide live-streamed assembly joined by almost 500 schools.
2013: Release of Debut Album and "Replay" Single
In 2013, Zendaya released her self-titled debut studio album, featuring the lead single "Replay", which reached the top 40 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
2013: End of Shake It Up
In 2013, Zendaya's role as Rocky Blue in the Disney Channel sitcom 'Shake It Up' ended.
May 2014: Disney Channel Orders K.C. Undercover
In May 2014, Disney Channel ordered the series K.C. Undercover, originally titled Super Awesome Katy, with Zendaya in the lead role. Zendaya influenced the character's name and personality.
2014: Recording of "All of Me" for Charity
In 2014, Zendaya recorded John Legend's song "All of Me" with a portion of the proceeds going to the organization Convoy of Hope.
January 18, 2015: Premiere of K.C. Undercover
On January 18, 2015, K.C. Undercover premiered on Disney Channel, starring Zendaya as K.C. Cooper.
May 2015: Renewal of K.C. Undercover for a Second Season
In May 2015, K.C. Undercover, starring Zendaya, was renewed for a second season, indicating the show's success and continued popularity.
July 2015: Visit to South Africa with UNAIDS
In July 2015, Zendaya visited South Africa with UNAIDS, the United Nations programme dedicated to preventing and creating access to treatment for HIV and AIDS. Then she also held a fundraiser with Crowdrise, with proceeds going to non-profit, community-based, Ikageng charity in Soweto for a family of AIDS orphans.
August 2015: Introduction of Daya Shoe Collection
In August 2015, Zendaya introduced a shoe collection called Daya, which was her childhood nickname.
2015: Starring Role in K.C. Undercover
In 2015, Zendaya starred as the titular character in the Disney Channel sitcom K.C. Undercover.
October 2016: Participation in "Vote Your Future" Initiative
In October 2016, Zendaya was one of the celebrities to participate in "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. The second collection was gender-fluid and included a full range of sizes.
December 2016: Guest Judge on Project Runway Season 15 Finale
In December 2016, Zendaya appeared as a guest judge in the season finale of the 15th season of the reality television series Project Runway.
2016: Birthday Campaign for 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.
2016: Featured on Forbes' 30 Under 30 List
In 2016, Zendaya was featured on Forbes' 30 under 30 list.
July 2017: Feature Film Debut in Spider-Man: Homecoming
In July 2017, Zendaya made her feature film debut as Michelle in the superhero film Spider-Man: Homecoming, receiving praise for her performance as a "scene stealer".
September 2017: Partnership with Verizon Foundation
In September 2017, Zendaya partnered with Verizon Foundation as a spokesperson for their national #WeNeedMore initiative to bring technology, access and learning opportunities to children.
September 2017: Fronting Stomp Out Bullying PSA
In September 2017, she was fronting, along with her Spider-Man: Homecoming costars, a PSA for awareness campaign Stomp Out Bullying.
December 2017: Co-starring in The Greatest Showman
In December 2017, Zendaya co-starred in the musical film The Greatest Showman as a trapeze artist, receiving praise for her chemistry with Zac Efron. She appeared on three tracks of the film's soundtrack, including "Rewrite the Stars".
2017: Release of "Rewrite the Stars"
In 2017, Zendaya collaborated with Zac Efron on the song "Rewrite the Stars" from The Greatest Showman soundtrack, which achieved multi-platinum sales certifications globally.
2017: Feature Film Debut in Spider-Man: Homecoming
In 2017, Zendaya made her feature film debut as MJ in the superhero film Spider-Man: Homecoming.
March 2018: Collaboration with Google.org
In March 2018, Zendaya teamed up with Google.org to support students at a community school in Oakland funding an innovative computer science curriculum.
September 2018: Voice Role in Smallfoot
In September 2018, Zendaya voiced the yeti Meechee in the animated film Smallfoot, also singing two songs for the soundtrack. The film received positive reviews.
October 2018: Tommy Hilfiger Ambassador and Co-Designer
In October 2018, Zendaya became Tommy Hilfiger brand's ambassador and co-designed Tommy x Zendaya capsule collections. She took inspiration from the 1970s, namely the decade's "strong, iconic women", and her runway shows at Paris Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week have been praised for celebrating diversity and inclusivity, including women of color, plus-size models, and models aged up to 70. The shows were a tribute to the pioneering model icons.
2018: End of K.C. Undercover
In 2018, Zendaya's role as the titular character in the Disney Channel sitcom K.C. Undercover ended.
2019: Spokesmodel for Lancôme
In 2019, Zendaya became a spokesmodel for Lancôme.
June 2020: Participation in George Floyd Protests
In June 2020, Zendaya took part in the George Floyd protests and temporarily lent her Instagram account to Patrisse Cullors to share anti-racism resources and media.
September 2020: InStyle Issue Featuring Black Creatives
For the September 2020 InStyle issue, Zendaya and her stylist, Law Roach, chose to use all black designers, artists, and creatives.
September 2020: Encouragement of Voter Registration
In September 2020, she encouraged her fans with Michelle Obama, and her "When We All Vote" nonpartisan organization, to check their voter registration ahead of elections.
September 2020: Donation of Malcolm & Marie Proceeds to Feeding America
When Malcolm & Marie, filmed during the pandemic, was sold in September 2020, a portion of the proceeds was shared with Feeding America.
October 2020: Visionary Award at CNMI Green Carpet Fashion Awards
In October 2020, she won the Visionary Award at the CNMI Green Carpet Fashion Awards for "promoting diversity and inclusion in fashion and film".
2021: Role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Dune and Malcolm & Marie
In 2021, Zendaya reprised her role as MJ in Spider-Man: No Way Home and starred in the films Dune and Malcolm & Marie.
2021: Starring in Malcolm & Marie
In 2021, Zendaya starred in Malcolm & Marie, which was filmed during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic with extensive safety protocols. Zendaya allocated shares to the film to everyone involved in its making, and part of the proceeds was shared with Feeding America. Her performance in the film was positively reviewed.
June 2022: Global Brand Ambassador of Glaceau Smartwater
In June 2022, Zendaya was announced as the global brand ambassador of Glaceau Smartwater.
2022: Second Primetime Emmy Award
After winning the Primetime Emmy Award again at the 2022 Primetime Emmy Awards, Zendaya became the youngest two-time acting winner.
2022: Continued Acclaim 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". The second season of Euphoria earned her four Emmy nominations, including becoming the youngest two-time nominee in Emmy history for Lead Actress in a Drama and the youngest woman ever nominated for producing as an executive producer. She also received two nominations for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for her lyrical contributions to the show's soundtrack.
2022: Inclusion on TIME's 100 Most Influential People List
In 2022, Zendaya was included on TIME magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world; Dune director Denis Villeneuve wrote of her.
2023: Louis Vuitton Ambassador
In 2023, Zendaya became an ambassador for Louis Vuitton.
2023: Return to the Stage and Documentary Appearances
In 2023, Zendaya made an appearance in Elvis Mitchell's documentary Is That Black Enough For You?!?. During the second weekend of Coachella, she joined Labrinth in a surprise performance of "All for Us" and "I'm Tired", marking her first return to the stage in 8 years. She was featured on the opening song "The Feels" of Labrinth's third album Ends & Begins. Zendaya also appeared in the documentary film Invisible Beauty, based on the work of Bethann Hardison.
2023: CinemaCon Star of the Year Award
In 2023, Zendaya received the CinemaCon Star of the Year Award.
2023: Golden Globe Award for Best Actress
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: Dune: Part Two and Challengers
In 2024, Zendaya reprised her role as Chani in Dune: Part Two, released in March. She also starred in and produced Challengers, released in April, receiving critical acclaim for her performance. She received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
2026: Upcoming Roles
In 2026, Zendaya will star opposite Robert Pattinson in The Drama and in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey.
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