Zendaya: The Rise and Rise of Hollywood's New It-Girl

[@nicolesherman8974]

Zendaya has an old Hollywood beauty aesthetic about herself. Just gorgeous all around.

[@miss_bougie6653]

Zendaya’s a classic Disney princess turned megastar. Her transition is truly a masterful blueprint!

[@StudiousSu]

I literally remember the day shake it up premiered. It wasn’t my favorite Disney shoe but I’ve loved following her career. She’s really done a phenomenal job at transitioning from child star to adult mega star! Prouda her!

[@melw9147]

she had incredible self worth and awareness from a young age. you can tell she was raised in a supportive home and was raised right.

[@Nooooooooooooooooooooo7913]

Love love love Zendaya’s awareness of colorism. I really appreciate how instead of taking roles of characters that have been originally imagined as dark skinned, she’ll take traditionally white roles, using her privilege to expand what these blockbuster major it girl roles look like.

[@casper7319]

I think Zendaya's secret to success is that she didn't rush, and she was surrounded by people who didn't rush her. Zendaya's mom has always made a point of saying that if she wanted out then she was out. Zendaya succeeded because she wanted to be there, unlike a lot of her child actor counterparts who were overworked and were forced to accept every possible opportunity because they were paying rent for their families.

[@nameisamine]

It’s so crazy that I used to feel bad for Zendaya. Selena, Miley & Demi had transitioned out of Disney and were riding high in the charts but Zendaya’s songs never crossed over in the same way. I was patiently waiting to have a black Disney girl blow up, we haven’t really seen it since cheetah girls. I remember she dropped that song “Something New” with Chris Brown, and I got excited, but it flopped. I was frustrated thinking she as just as talented to be up there with the others who transitioned from the Disney/Nickelodeon ecosystem to the music business, but her music career just wasn’t meant to be 😭 Anyway, she played the long game, focused on her acting craft and won respect in Hollywood. These days it seems like she’s more in demand and arguably a bigger a-list name than any of the Disney/Nickelodeon ex-acts. I also find it interesting that she’s the first of the ex-Disne/Nickelodeon stars to successfully be taken seriously as an actor-actress. There’s a stigma that “those Disney kids can’t REALLY act”. Her Emmys proved them wrong.

[@bmwjourdandunngoddess6024]

I remember that too and all the white actresses ALWAYS attacking her. I remember that era, before she was loved, misogynoir was always directed her way. I don’t know why people ignore that part.

[@patti.j]

Zendaya is a very talented young lady who has worked hard and has proven herself to the world. She’s authentic and that’s what people see and that’s why she will go far. She’s always gonna have haters and that sad because she doesn’t deserve it. I love seeing my young blacks girls make an impact on the world and be a role model. 🙌🏽👍🏽😊

[@addictivenews]

lol the rise and rise haha 😂 😂 😂 you know Zendaya IS THAT GIRL

[@princessluv7291]

Aw man I was gonna do a video like this😅 I’ll just take this as inspo thanks✌🏾

[@Mitch-Alex]

I'm pretty sure the cast of Friend's got paid $1 million an episode during its peak also, good for her!

[@romuloagon]

Still don't understand way they keep addressing her as "black" or "black with light skin" or the silly "people of color" as if there was only one color!! She is a mixed color person. Not black or white.

[@India-lz5di]

Yeauuhhh girlie ❤❤❤❤

[@pratyushpavansaikia8161]

One can't actually point out when she actually big. Atleast I can't

[@deborahadams3845]

❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😊

[@17mgyus]

the it girl

[@traumaqueeen]

Her success is due to her light skin, small frame and European features. She benefits from colourism and featurism.

[@EclecticDD]

and she acknowledges this and also uses her clout to promote more diversity in roles such as having an African American family in KC Undercover instead of an interracial one. Did you even watch the video?

[@johnathanlewis3155]

@@EclecticDD her acknowledging these facts does not change the fact that she is capitalizing off of the fact that she benefits from it. It’s not her fault though.

[@MelaniaRose]

Besides that she has the talent and successful personality to go with it.

[@oliviah.4741]

This is true but she didn’t spiral mentally out of control and self sabotage her career like most Disney child stars do. She’s successful and grounded which is rare in Hollywood.

[@ssissigui8846]

What you are saying is deeply wrong and not respectful to her work. Her success is not DUE to that. It helped her BUT you cannot reduce her to this . Otherwise There are a bunch on of light skinned black girls who should have been top stars ... 🤷🏾‍♀️. Let's not hit on our own people to denounce what is wrong with the system.

[@ra3975]

Imagine being famous because you check off boxes for some virtuous elite, and not because youre outstanding at what you do. Enjoy the ride, but don't fool yourself.

[@EclecticDD]

13 years and still going, quite a ride.

[@Kevin-rg3yc]

She definitely checks all the boxes to Hollywood political hierarchy but has kept her going and rise further is her talent taking away the privileges she receives as a lighter skinned biracial young woman she still indeed a raw and amazing talent in acting and fashion

[@smoofinerf9128]

​@@Kevin-rg3ycExactly 💯