Everyone has role models, people they look up to and stalk on Instagram, and I’m here to tell you about someone you should be paying attention to if you’re not already: Zendaya. The 23 year old has taken the world by storm, starring in the new Spider-Man series and the HBO drama Euphoria while simultaneously inspiring young people and growing into one of today’s best examples of a celebrity since her early days on the Disney show Shake It Up. Zendaya is a prime example of what young women are today: smart, focused, outspoken, and challenging.
While most Disney stars finished their contracts and moved on to adult roles, Zendaya stayed until she was 21, but on her terms. Zendaya became one of Disney’s youngest producers ever at 18 for her show K.C. Undercover. She changed the title from Super Awesome Katy and emphasized the importance of a black family being represented on Disney channel. She also changed her character to be good at math and influenced plot lines, even writing and directing some episodes. “A lot of people don’t realize their power,” Zendaya stated when being interviewed for Vogue on talking to the heads of Disney about taking control of her show.
From there Zendaya starred in the reboot of Spider-Man, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and its sequel Spider-Man: Far From Home, as introvert Michelle “MJ” Jones, an updated take on the iconic character. What was once a damsel in distress is now a smart, witty, feminist MJ that can figure out Spider-Man’s identity on her own while still rocking a floral dress. Other film credits include The Greatest Showman, the musical that gave us “Rewrite The Stars”, and Smallfoot, an animated musical starring Channing Tatum. Her most recent credit is her most controversial: HBO’s Euphoria, where she plays Rue, a drug addict who is just one of many teenagers with problems in a small town. The show features nudity, drug use, language, and many, many penises(you’ve been warned). On the shock of male nudity, Zendaya says Euphoria is “evening the playing field” in regards to the amount of female nudity in shows and movies. (Euphoria has also gotten Zendaya Emmy buzz for her portrayal of Rue.)
If killing it on screen wasn’t enough, Zendaya is a spokesperson for CoverGirl and Lancome, designed a clothing line with Tommy Hilfiger, and runs a website that includes videos of her daily life as well as tutorials on important issues such as the NFL controversy and modern day racism. All of this cultivates in the real reason Zendaya is this generation’s role model: she uses her platform for good. Zendaya has spoken publicly on being a black woman in Hollywood and trying to open the door for fellow women of color and young girls. Her Instagram of 61.6 million followers includes support of gun control, Black Lives Matter, and the Women’s march.
Young women today aren’t content with sticking to the rules, or being boxed in. We are educated, ambitious, and care about changing the world and no celebrity embodies these values with as much elegance as Zendaya. Zendaya is not a role model because we strive to have her life, she is a role model because she is just another example of modern women, of what we can do when given an opportunity and a platform. So, to conclude, if you haven’t been paying attention to this girl, watch out cause she’s only getting better.