You’ve seen her everywhere—from swinging through New York City as MJ to surviving the gritty halls of East Highland in Euphoria. But for as long as she’s been in the spotlight, one question seems to follow her more than most: what race is Zendaya? Honestly, it’s a question that pops up on Google every single day, and the answer is way more interesting than just a one-word label.
Born Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, the Oakland native is biracial. Specifically, she is of African-American, German, and Scottish descent.
It’s a mix that she’s incredibly vocal about. She doesn't just "pass through" these cultures; she lives in the middle of them. If you look at her name alone, it tells the whole story. "Zendaya" comes from the Shona name Tendai, which means "to give thanks." Then you have "Maree," which uses an African spelling of her mother’s French middle name, followed by "Stoermer" and "Coleman"—the German and African-American bookends of her identity.
The Roots: Kazembe and Claire
To really get what makes Zendaya, well, Zendaya, you have to look at her parents. They aren't just background players; they are the architects of her perspective.
Her father, Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, was born Samuel David Coleman. He eventually reclaimed his heritage by taking an African name that reflected his roots. He’s African-American, with family lineage tracing back to Arkansas and Nigeria. In interviews, Zendaya has shared how her dad’s side of the family has deep roots in the American South, specifically among sharecroppers who moved west.
On the flip side, you have her mom, Claire Stoermer. Claire is white and comes from a blend of German and Scottish ancestry. Her family has been in California for five generations. Claire spent years working as a teacher (just like Kazembe) and as a house manager at the California Shakespeare Theater. That’s actually where Zendaya’s love for the stage started—helping her mom sell tickets and seat patrons while soaking up the performances.
A Breakdown of the Family Tree
- Father (Kazembe Ajamu): African-American with Nigerian ancestry.
- Mother (Claire Stoermer): German and Scottish (with some Irish and English mixed in).
- Siblings: Zendaya is the only child of Claire and Kazembe, but she has five older half-siblings from her father’s previous relationship.
Basically, she grew up in a household where "Black History Month" and "Immigrant Heritage Month" were both equally celebrated.
Why People Get Confused (The Ambiguity Factor)
Hollywood has this weird habit of trying to put people in boxes. Because Zendaya has a "racially ambiguous" look, she’s often been the subject of speculation. I’ve seen people argue online that she’s Hispanic, Brazilian, or even part-Asian.
She’s actually addressed this herself.
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Zendaya is very aware that her light-skinned biracial appearance gives her a certain level of privilege in an industry that still struggles with colorism. During a 2018 appearance at Beautycon, she famously called herself "Hollywood’s acceptable version of a Black girl."
"As a Black woman, as a light-skinned Black woman, it’s important that I’m using my privilege, my platform to show you how much beauty there is in the African-American community," she told the crowd.
It’s a nuanced take. She knows she gets opportunities that darker-skinned actresses might be overlooked for, and she’s used her power—especially as a producer on K.C. Undercover—to push for more diverse casting that represents all shades.
The Cultural Identity of an Oakland Girl
Growing up in Oakland, California, played a massive role in how she views her race. Oakland is a cultural melting pot with a heavy history of Black activism. Zendaya attended the Oakland School for the Arts, and she’s often credited her hometown for her "no-nonsense" attitude and her pride in her Blackness.
Even when people try to claim she "isn't Black enough" or "isn't White enough," she shuts it down with facts. She’s both. She’s a descendant of German immigrants and African sharecroppers.
She even did a DNA test a few years back for Immigrant Heritage Month. The results? A heavy concentration of West African (mostly Ghanaian/Ashanti) and Southeastern Bantu DNA, mixed with various European regions.
It's More Than Just a Box to Check
Zendaya’s race isn't just a fun fact for a trivia night. It informs her fashion choices, like when she wore locs to the Oscars and defended them against ignorant comments. It informs her roles, like playing the first biracial MJ in the Spider-Man franchise.
She’s basically the face of a generation that refuses to be just "one thing."
If you’re looking to understand more about her journey, the best thing you can do is watch her early interviews. She’s been consistent about her identity since she was 14. She doesn't shy away from the complexity. She embraces the "and" instead of the "or."
Next Steps for the Curious:
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- Check out her 2015 video for Immigrant Heritage Month where she sits down with her parents to discuss their specific family history.
- Research the history of the Shona people and the name "Tendai" to see the linguistic roots of her name.
- Look into her work with the Convoy of Hope and other charities where she often focuses on supporting marginalized communities.
Understanding Zendaya's race is really about understanding the American story—a mix of different worlds coming together to create something entirely new and incredibly influential.