Zendaya was brought up in a Christian household and attended church when she was young. While she hasn’t publicly declared membership in a specific denomination as an adult, her faith background remains rooted in Christianity.
Quick Profile: Zendaya
| Full Name | Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman |
| Date of Birth | September 1, 1996 |
| Place of Birth | Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Religion | Christian |
| Parents | Mother: Claire Stoermer. Father: Kazembe Ajamu Coleman |
| Known For | Actress, singer, producer — from Disney beginnings to award-winning roles |
Early Life
Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman was born on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California. Her parents, Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, both worked in education; her mother taught and worked at the California Shakespeare Theater, and her father was a teacher before later managing Zendaya’s career.
Zendaya says her family supported her early interest in performing and helped her travel back and forth while she auditioned as a child. She started training in dance and theater very young, performing in school and community shows, dancing with a hip-hop troupe called Future Shock Oakland, and studying hula with the Academy of Hawaiian Arts. Zendaya attended the Oakland School for the Arts, which she credits for shaping her skills and work ethic.
When she was still a child Zendaya began modeling for stores such as Macy’s and Old Navy and appeared as a backup dancer in commercials. Her family moved to support her auditions and early career. At 13 she won the role of Rocky Blue on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up, which became her breakout TV job and introduced her to a wide young audience. That early Disney work opened doors to music projects, TV producing, and film auditions that followed.
What She Has Said About Religion
In interviews, Zendaya has indicated she believes in God and acknowledges having grown up going to church, though she also notes she doesn’t attend every Sunday in the way the stereotypical “church-every-weekend” celebrity might. Some commentators have noted that she keeps her spiritual beliefs fairly private.
For example, one article quotes her as saying: “I believe in God. I don’t go to church every Sunday, but I grew up going to church. My mom is super religious.” (Reported in a commentary about her beliefs).
Career
Zendaya moved steadily from Disney star to a respected actor and producer, choosing projects that stretched her range. She starred in the Disney sitcom K.C. Undercover, then took on adult roles in films such as The Greatest Showman and the Netflix drama Malcolm & Marie. Her role as Rue Bennett on HBO’s Euphoria brought major critical praise and two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, making her one of the youngest winners in that category.
She also joined major franchises, playing MJ in Marvel’s Spider-Man films and taking a lead role in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune series. In addition to acting, Zendaya has producing credits (including on Euphoria and films she’s starred in) and is known for her careful project choices and strong professional reputation.
Personal life
Zendaya keeps much of her personal life private and credits her family with keeping her grounded. Her parents remained involved during her early career, and her father served as her manager for a time. Zendaya has said she sometimes wished for a more normal childhood, but she also speaks openly about gratitude for her parents’ support.
Publicly, her most covered personal relationship has been with actor Tom Holland; they confirmed a private romance in 2021 and later made their engagement public in early 2025, while carefully protecting their privacy. Beyond relationships, Zendaya is known for advocacy, charitable work, and using her platform to speak about self-respect, representation and kindness.
Notable awards & recognition
Zendaya has won multiple major awards including two Primetime Emmys for Euphoria and a Golden Globe. Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. These honors reflect both her acting talent and her influence as a public figure who shapes conversations on style, representation and young-person issues.
