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She calls them the most selfless people she knows.
By Samantha Maffucci — Written on Jul 09, 2019
Back in 2010, Zendaya had her breakout television role on the Disney sitcom Shake It Up, and just a few years later, released her debut album. Now, she’s one of the most hyped actresses in the business, starring in the new HBO series Euphoria, and playing MJ in the most recent Spider-Man movies, opposite Tom Holland.
But for Zendaya, she doesn’t credit her own talent for all her success; instead, she gives major kudos to both of her parents for not only driving her to the first audition for Shake It Up, but for keeping her grounded.
During an appearance on Ellen, she said, “I gotta give it up to my parents. I’m really lucky to have the parents that I have. They just have always instilled in me those core values that I think I have to carry with me through everything. I give it up to them, I give it up to my family.”
We’re curious about the people who raised this talented actress and singer. So, exactly who are Zendaya's parents? Here are 7 things to know about Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman.
1. Her mom is a teacher.
In an interview with Teen Vogue, Zendaya spoke about her mother’s work as a teacher:
“Growing up, I watched my mom teach in the heart of Oakland, California, at inner-city schools that were always underfunded. My mom went above and beyond, working constantly to open her students’ eyes to an education that could lift them far beyond their current circumstances. She would introduce them to the arts, guide them through the language of Shakespeare, and show them the wonders of nature outside city life — all things that they wouldn’t have experienced otherwise. Watching her was magical; it instilled within me a true appreciation of and devotion to the importance of education.”
In addition to teaching, Claire was also House Manager at the California Shakespeare Theater in Orinda. She oversaw maintenance and sold tickets, and according to her daughter, this is how her passion for acting was sparked.
2. But she also has her own jewelry line.
Claire owns a jewelry business called Kizzmet Jewelry, which sells handmade pieces. Zendaya is regularly seen wearing the jewelry, and even said on her website, “My mom makes the sickest jewelry for her line Kizzmet. I rock it all the time! She knows so much about the meaning of stones and customizes each piece.”
3. She’s of Dutch and German ancestry.
If you aren’t aware, Zendaya is biracial, with her grandfather and great-grandfather on her mother’s side coming from Scotland. In an interview with Us Weekly, Zendaya said, “I just want young people to embrace where they come from, be proud of it and share their family’s history. This country was built on beautiful stories of immigrant heritage.”
4. Her father is of Nigerian, Macedonian, and Icelandic ancestry.
In the same Immigrant Heritage Month video, which her father and mother were also part of, Kazembe explained that he discovered through DNA testing that his father’s family comes from Iceland and Macedonia, while his mother was from Nigeria.
Zendaya also revealed that she’s extremely proud of her mixed heritage:
“My mother’s proud of where she’s from, and her history, and her past, and same with my dad. I have roots in Africa. Like, I am from Africa as well as from Germany, and I am very proud of that. For me, I get a mixture of all the worlds... I have my African first name, I have a middle name that is [my mom’s] middle name, which is French, but we did it African spelling, so it’s literally me in a name. And then you have Stoermer, and then you have Coleman. I literally have, like, a timeline in history in my name.”
5. Her dad is her manager.
While Kazembe is a former teacher, he also became his daughter’s manager. Due to signing a management contract, he’s always traveling with her, overseeing deals and engagements. However, because he travels with her everywhere, he sometimes oversteps the boundaries into being a dad. Like when he was protective when Zendaya was dating Odell Beckham Jr.
6. Her dad has five children from another relationship.
Zendaya has five older half-siblings on her father’s side, including three sisters and two brothers: Kaylee, Katianna, AnnaBella, Austin, and Julien.
7. Her parents are divorced.
Her parents wed in 2008 but got divorced in 2016, after eight years of marriage. However, it appears the split was amicable and the two remain close friends.
Samantha Maffucci is an editor for YourTango who focuses on writing trending news and entertainment pieces. In her free time, you can find her obsessing about cats, wine, and all things Vanderpump Rules.