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Entertainment July 24, 2017
This diva is more than just a pretty face.
Zendaya Coleman has graduated from Disney and is now a full-fledged role model.
She has a don’t-mess-with-me attitude and has no problem standing up against injustice.
Need proof? Here are five reasons Zendaya has stolen our hearts.
Zendaya is pretty much the definition of style goals. Her clothing and shoe brand shows off her own multi-faceted aesthetic. It’s glam, street and casual all wrapped up into one beautiful package.
Her new clothing line, Daya by Zendaya, is as socially conscious as it is stylish. Her clothing brand includes sizes zero through 22. Coleman told Racked that her family members cover a wide range of sizes so she wanted to create a brand that would include everyone. She also insisted that the clothes be affordable, with prices ranging from $18 to no more than $158. Zendaya wanted to ensure that students and “regular people” can express their personal style without breaking the bank.
Daya by Zendaya includes a range of styles from sweats to slip dresses to body suits in order to capture the star’s versatile style. Zendaya also made much of the brand’s clothing unisex to be inclusive to people who are gender neutral. She mentioned that the clothing line is designed for women, “but that doesn’t mean a woman has to wear it. Whoever wants to wear it can wear whatever the hell they want.”
Zendaya did not become involved in the entertainment industry because she enjoys singing, dancing and acting. She told Glamour Magazine, “You have to have a purpose, and mine is to connect with the world, to get across messages that are important. I’d much rather be known for leaving a little stamp of positivity on one person’s life than for the last project that I did.”
It seems as though Zendaya was born to be “woke.” Coleman was brought into this world in the birthplace of The Black Panther Party, Oakland, California. In the 1960s, her aunties were members of the party and meetings were held in the basement of Coleman’s childhood home. Her family has made the star well aware of the history of struggle within the African American community. Zendaya’s father Kazembe Ajamu told Vogue that, “She knows she’s reaping the benefits from those who paved the way for her.”
Thanks to her background, Zendaya regularly speaks about the history of the African American community. More importantly, she practices what she preaches by moving beyond social media activism and taking it to the streets.
She participated in the 2017 Women’s March on Washington beside Civil Rights heroes, such as Angela Davis and Jesse Jackson. During the protest, she spoke about how she involves herself in activist causes in hopes to inspire younger generations to create change in the world.
Should we just let bygones be bygones? Zendaya would likely respond…
Zendaya has plenty to say to generally anyone who falls into the category of being an ignorant hater. There was the time when she shut down an insult and supported the LGBT community. A less than brilliant guy posted that the star, “looks like a gay dude wearing makeup,” and her response was priceless.
She also gave magazine editors a piece of her mind for editing photos and completely distorting her body. In response to these photos, she posted on Instagram, “These are the things that make women self-conscious, that create unrealistic ideals of beauty that we have.” By rejecting this false image of herself she reminded all her fans that perfection lies in reality, not photoshop.
Overall, Zendaya isn’t shy to call people out on their B.S. with the utmost class and elegance. Watch out nameless social media haters because Zendaya shows no mercy.
When Zendaya is taking a break from being a selfie queen and a comeback master, she’s involved in humanitarian causes.
She is a UNAIDS spokesperson and has made it her personal mission to build awareness of the prevalence of the disease and prevention methods. She told Glamour Magazine, “If I can make it cool for young people to buy a certain handbag, maybe I can make it cool to be safe, protect yourself, get tested—to love yourself.”
In 2016, Zendaya met three young boys in South Africa who lost their parents to AIDS. With the help of UNAIDS, she raised $50,000 to build a home for the boys. Then with contributions from her 19 million Instagram followers, she was able to donate meals for a year to 150 schoolchildren in the developing world.
Now, her goal for her 20th birthday is to raise another $50,000 for the charity Convoy of Hope, which funds women-led businesses throughout the third world.
The multitude of hairstyles Zendaya rocks on and off the red carpet send a powerful message about the beauty of blackness. During the 2015 Oscars, Zendaya sported locs to the event, but the “E! Fashion Police” had some racially insensitive comments to contribute.
Giuliana Rancic mentioned that the young star’s hairstyle looked as though it would smell of patchouli oil or weed. Zendaya then took to Twitter to address how ignorant comments like these perpetuate stereotypes against the black community. Additionally, she addressed how hair plays a big part in African American culture.
She said that she sees locs as a symbol of strength and beauty, like a lion’s mane. She also added that her wearing them on the red carpet, “was to showcase them in a positive light, to remind people of color that our hair is good enough.”
Zendaya continues to wow us all with her beauty and intellect. Despite her age, she is confident in herself and doesn’t let small-minded comments make her feel small.
Her love for others and self-righteousness sets an example for little girls. The more she speaks her mind, the more inspirational she becomes.
Keep on slaying, Zendaya.
