Zendaya

Zendaya Coleman (born September 1, 1996), known mononymously as Zendaya, is an American actress, singer, and dancer. She currently stars on the Disney Channel  sitcom Shake It Up  as Raquel "Rocky" Blue. Zendaya, whose name means "to give thanks" in Shona , was born Zendaya Coleman to Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu (Coleman) on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California.  She grew up as part of the California Shakespeare Theater  in Orinda, California  where her mother worked as the House Manager.  In addition to training at the theater's student conservatory program, and later performing in numerous stage productions, Zendaya helped her mother seat patrons and sell raffle tickets to benefit the theater. Zendaya currently lives in Los Angeles with her family and dog, a Giant Schnauzer  named Midnight.  Her interests include singing, dancing and designing clothes.  Zendaya hopes that just as theater led her to television, <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">Shake It Up <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;"> will someday lead her to opportunities in the music industry. <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;"> In October 2010, Zendaya told <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">Variety <span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;">, "I love singing and would love to record an album at some point."