Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman celebrates her birthday today. Her name means “giving thanks” in the language of the African Shona tribe. She was born in Oakland, California to teacher parents Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman. Her father is African-American, while her mother has German and Scottish ancestry; she is the youngest of five older siblings.

She began her career as a child model working for Macy’s and Old Navy and a backup dancer before gaining prominence for her role as Rocky Blue on the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up. She made her film breakthrough in 2017, starring as Michelle “MJ” Jones in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). Zendaya would reprise that role for the subsequent Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). In 2019, her role in the HBO drama series Euphoria catapulted her acting career even further, starring as a teenager named Rue struggling with drug addiction. This led her to become the youngest winner of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Besides her role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Zendaya has proved she can be quite the dramatic actress. In 2021, she starred alongside John David Washington in the black and white romance drama, Malcom & Marie. Her upcoming film, Challengers, stars Zendaya as Tashi, a former tennis prodigy turned coach. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend when they were teenagers.

We’ve compiled our favorite looks Zendaya has so graciously posted on her Instagram below in honor of her birthday.

• 21. Serpenti Siren

  https://www.instagram.com/p/CsWVZV4rAwr/

  We are astonished, floored, and gasping at this gorgeous look Zendaya posted in video form in May. Posing in front of picturesque Rome, the actress and model wore an elegant, off the shoulder velvet black gown with a mermaid skirt trim, giving her so much shape. The Bulgari ambassador completed the look with one of the brand’s Serpenti diamond-encrusted necklaces and an elegant updo.

• 20. Bulgari Babe

  Sharing behind-the-scenes images for a campaign for Bulgari, Zendaya looks fierce in this velvety long-sleeved dress with arms lined with tulle. Her copper-toned hair was styled in an Old Hollywood long wave fashion, and her makeup was more subdued to let the rest of her look take center stage.

  https://www.instagram.com/p/B95Q9oYgI9b/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 19. Paris Fashion Week

  Zendaya’s Louboutin’s caught our eye in these shared images from her 2019 Paris Fashion Week attendance. She paired it with black slacks and a cropped button-down shirt.

  https://www.instagram.com/p/BzdeSt_AvzG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 18. Bubble Gum Princess

  Feeling nostalgic, Zendaya shared photos donning a pink wig and cream-colored slip from her character Anne Wheeler in 2017’s The Greatest Showman. We love seeing her have fun in different colored wigs and wish to see more of it!

  https://www.instagram.com/p/BrolP3DFGjv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 17. Three Zendaya's Are Better Than One

  Ravishing in red and surrounded by rose petals, Zendaya wears a corset top and pants surrounded by mirrors. She really knows her best angles, serving face in every one of her reflections.

  https://www.instagram.com/p/B6l9cMPAgcT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 16. Demure Daya

  The pose, the hair, the dress and the backdrop all came together for one flawless photo for Vogue. Wearing a ’20s style finger wave, Zendaya’s makeup looks very natural, showing off her beauty.

  https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxle5_XldZd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 15. Blue For You

  In another Vogue shoot, this time for publication’s Australian subdivision, Zendaya looks pretty blue — and pretty in blue, as she leans on to a table. Her long, free-flowing hair and natural-looking face makes her look so youthful.

  https://www.instagram.com/p/B9K1KDFgxTM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 14. Gilded Goddess

  The ruffles and texture of Zendaya’s dress is immaculate in this photo shoot for Elle. While posing on the floor of what looks to be a roof of a building, she paired the dress with a pair of sneakers matching the color scheme.

  https://www.instagram.com/p/CHfpBlrLjL7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 13. When In Rome

  Our global queen sure knows how to upstage the Colosseum, wearing a metallic gold number as her red hair pops against the amphitheater. With a long-sleeved mini dress, Zendaya’s legs look crazy long. The actress stands at 5’10” and with heels, is probably at least 6-foot-tall in this photo.

  https://www.instagram.com/p/BzhJko_ALRc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 12. Editorial Elite

  Zendaya shows off her professional model skills in this photo shoot for Allure when it looks super hot in that desert, while she is covered in layers. With knee-high heeled boots, a belted long-sleeve dress, and a large bag adorned with a polka-dot scarf blowing in the wind, her full, curly ‘do brings the editorial edge to the photo shoot.

  https://www.instagram.com/p/B5JST4cgLfD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 11. She Loves The Color Red

  It seems as though Zendaya is a fan of the color red, sporting it from head to toe in this photo captured of her on the street. From the looks of the men behind her, it seems as though they are thinking, “Who is that incredible woman?”

  https://www.instagram.com/p/BubyPpblajT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 10. Mint Chocolate Chip

  Another flawless execution of a monochromatic look, Zendaya’s theme of mint green here is giving us the chills. The details from the newsboy cap to her belt are just perfection, and reminds us of J-Lo’s early 2000’s style!

  https://www.instagram.com/p/BuY8-BXFjO-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 9. Poison Ivy Could Never

  Attending the 2019 Emmys, where she won her award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in HBO series Euphoria, Zendaya sports her auburn hair in a deep side part with long Old Hollywood waves. We absolutely love her mesh and silk corseted emerald green gown.

  https://www.instagram.com/p/B2xBuV7AfeD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 8. Menswear Done Right

  Zendaya’s chunky rings and dark eye makeup complete this dark grey menswear-inspired suit. With her wild, curly hair, she is both masculine and feminine and shows it doesn’t matter what you wear, as long as you look good wearing it.

  https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Hc13yADOi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 7. Better In Leather

  Wearing her own Tommy Hilfiger x Zendaya collection, Zendaya looks straight from the ’70s in this burgundy leather jacket and boots complimented by a paisley print dress and feathery hairdo while on the street.

  https://www.instagram.com/p/BukN-JxFIY9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 6. A Tribute To Beyoncé

  Paying homage to Beyoncé’s Versace dress that she wore at the 2003 BET Awards, Zendaya completely nailed the recreated rich purple and lime green look while attending the 2021 BET Awards — while strutting to “Crazy in Love.”

  https://www.instagram.com/p/CQpjCLPD-HS/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 5. Satin Suit

  Zendaya is known to rock feminine and masculine looks, and here she has us swooning in this satin cream-colored suit with her hair in cornrows.

  https://www.instagram.com/p/BuH5ax7ls8s/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 4. Reporting Live...

  The ’60s are calling and they want Zendaya! She looks fabulous from head-to-toe with her retro-colored plaid pants and coral frill top with a beautiful tropical backdrop.

  https://www.instagram.com/p/Bauo138BP_2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 3. Creepy But Make It Fashion

  Her range is just unmatched. Zendaya can haunt us all she wants if this is what we can expect. The heavy eye makeup and short, wet look hair style adds to the edginess she brings with her crouched pose.

  https://www.instagram.com/p/ByQO_q0gjZt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 2. Joan of Arc

  The 2018 MET Gala’s theme of “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” might be our all-time favorite, and Zendaya’s inspiration for Saint Joan of Arc has us bowing before her. Wearing a custom metallic Versace gown featuring an armored neck-and-shoulder piece, sparkling chainmail, a spiked belt and even wearing her hair the same as the “Maid of Lorraine.”

  https://www.instagram.com/p/BigxUZABmmp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

• 1. Serving Face

  Inspired by ’60s supermodel and actress Donyale Luna (born Peggy Ann Freeman), Zendaya recreates a famous photo for Essence, capturing the old school beauty of the model.

  https://www.instagram.com/p/CHy75f5Ly2x/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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