Zendaya: influences, peers and legacy

Every connection with its receipt

Zendaya's map runs from Oakland's Black arts and Shakespeare scene through Disney Channel craft to the auteur cinema of Villeneuve and Guadagnino. It gathers the dancers and divas she studied, the city that raised her, and the collaborators — Levinson, Labrinth, Roach — who built her second act. It closes on the younger performers who grew up watching her do it.

The Kynda mix for Zendaya

• Key Influence · Thriller by Michael Jackson (1982). Before acting, Zendaya trained as a dancer with Oakland's Future Shock hip-hop troupe, and Jackson's choreographed pop was the template for the dance-forward performer Disney cast in Shake It Up. The precision, showmanship and total control over image that defined Jackson's run are the model for a performer who moved from children's television to stadium-scale stardom while managing every frame of her own presentation.
• Influencia Obscura · Zouzou by Marc Allégret (1934). Zendaya has long publicly campaigned to play Josephine Baker, calling her a dream role. Zouzou, the first feature to star a Black woman, shows Baker as laundress-turned-revue-star: dancer first, actress second, an entertainer who turned spectacle into leverage. The trajectory — dance training into global fame, image weaponized against the limits imposed on Black women performers — is the blueprint Zendaya openly admires.
• Local Roots · Fruitvale Station by Ryan Coogler (2013). Coogler and Zendaya are both Bay Area products, and Fruitvale Station is the film that announced Oakland as a center of serious American cinema the year Zendaya's Disney sitcom ended. Zendaya has spoken with pride about her Oakland upbringing — her mother a schoolteacher, the family deep in local arts — and Coogler's Oakland, intimate and specific rather than symbolic, is the city she describes.
• Beyond the Medium · Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare (1599). Zendaya's mother managed house operations at California Shakespeare Theater, and Zendaya spent childhood summers there ushering, selling concessions and absorbing performances night after night — she has credited this as her real first acting school. Shakespeare's verse comedy, played live to Berkeley hillside audiences, gave her a grounding in classical text and stage rhythm long before any camera.
• Peer · Call Me by Your Name by Luca Guadagnino (2017). Chalamet is Zendaya's closest generational counterpart and Dune co-star; both moved from teen-coded early work into prestige auteur cinema in the same window. Guadagnino's film made Chalamet a star and later drew Zendaya into the director's orbit for Challengers. The two careers trace the same path: young actors courting European art-film directors rather than franchise comfort, then doing both at once.
• From the Canon · Euphoria by Zendaya (2019). The role that severed her from Disney entirely: Rue Bennett, a teenage addict narrating her own unreliability. At 24 Zendaya became the youngest winner of the lead actress drama Emmy, then won again. The performance is built on withholding — flat affect, sudden violence, the charm she had traded on for a decade deployed as manipulation. Everything in her adult career proceeds from this reinvention.
• Key Collaborator · Euphoria (Original Score from the HBO Series) by Labrinth (2019). Labrinth scored Euphoria and recorded duets with Zendaya including "All for Us," performed in the first season finale — the closest her singing career has come to her acting one. His gospel-electronic sound is inseparable from the show's emotional register, and the collaboration gave Zendaya a musical outlet that grew out of character rather than Disney-era pop packaging.
• Legacy · A Wrinkle in Time by Ava DuVernay (2018). Reid has spoken about Zendaya as both mentor and model, and played her younger sister Gia across Euphoria's run. As a young Black actress leading a major studio fantasy film, she occupies the slot Zendaya pried open — moving from child performer to serious dramatic work while retaining control of her image. The on-set relationship made the influence literal rather than aspirational.

What influenced Zendaya

• Ronnie Spector. Zendaya is set to portray musician Ronnie Spector in a biopic. “I admire you so much and am so grateful for the bond we share. You are a magical force of greatness and the world of music will never be the same.” (Harper’s Bazaar)
• Ryan Coogler. Zendaya cited admiration for Ryan Coogler as a reason for accepting the role. (also via Fruitvale Station) “She accepted the role after Ryan Coogler approached her, citing both her admiration for him and her fondness for the original 1996 film .” (Wikipedia)
• Space Jam. Zendaya cited fondness for the original 1996 film when accepting the sequel role. “She accepted the role after Ryan Coogler approached her, citing both her admiration for him and her fondness for the original 1996 film .” (Wikipedia)
• Andy Warhol (1928). Zendaya calls the approach to her fragrance campaign a homage to Warhol. “We did a lot of vignettes of me in various hairstyles where Barry put me in front of the camera as different characters, as a kind of homage to Andy Warhol” (Glamour UK)
• Thriller by Michael Jackson (1982). Thriller (Michael Jackson) — titan for Zendaya (musicbrainz.org)
• Dune. Dune (Frank Herbert) — culture for Zendaya (openlibrary.org)
• Zouzou by Marc Allégret (1934). Zouzou (Marc Allégret) — ghost for Zendaya (themoviedb.org)
• Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare (1599). Much Ado About Nothing (William Shakespeare) — culture for Zendaya (wikidata.org)
• Carmen Jones by Otto Preminger. Carmen Jones (Otto Preminger) — ghost for Zendaya (themoviedb.org)
• Anne Hathaway. Euphoria (Zendaya) — legacy for Anne Hathaway (via Euphoria) (themoviedb.org)
• Fences by Viola Davis (2016). Fences (Viola Davis) — titan for Zendaya

Peers and kindred spirits

• Bobby Brackins. Zendaya is listed as a featured artist on a track by Bobby Brackins. ““That’s why it was so fun to work with her again on ’My Jam.’ I sent her the song idea and she liked it, then came over the next week and we recorded it at my house.”” (Teen Vogue)
• Robert Pattinson. Zendaya starred opposite Robert Pattinson in The Drama. “It’s rare to have the pre-production period we had on this, where we’re really discussing and arguing about it. It does make you feel pretty invested in the end product” (Interview)
• Luca Guadagnino. Zendaya starred in and produced a film directed by Luca Guadagnino. (also via I Am Love, Call Me by Your Name) “She next starred in and produced Challengers (2024), directed by Luca Guadagnino .” (Wikipedia)
• Beyoncé. The music-video filmography lists Zendaya as a guest in Beyoncé’s “All Night” video. (also via Lemonade) “" All Night " 2016 Beyoncé Beyoncé [ 217 ] " Versace on the Floor " 2017 Bruno Mars Cameron Duddy and Bruno Mars” (Wikipedia)
• Katie Alender. Zendaya starred in a trailer promoting Katie Alender’s book. ““She’s a complete pro. I was in awe. She just came in and got it immediately! Her performance really makes the trailer for me.”” (anythingdiz (archived Just Jared Jr. interview))
• Tom Holland. Zendaya and Tom Holland performed together in Spider-Man: No Way Home. “Not only have the pair co-starred in both The Odyssey and Spiderman: Brand New Day, Tom joined Prada as the ambassador” (Glamour UK)
• Prada. Zendaya collaborated on an advertising campaign for Prada. ““When Prada Beauty reached out, it was crazy. I was like, ‘No way!’, I already had it in my purse,” she remembers.” (Glamour UK)
• Barry Jenkins (1979). Zendaya and Barry Jenkins previously collaborated on a Prada advertising campaign. “We did a lot of vignettes of me in various hairstyles where Barry put me in front of the camera as different characters, as a kind of homage to Andy Warhol” (Glamour UK)
• Timothée Chalamet. The caption places the two performers together promoting Dune: Part Two. “I was like, I want to do my best work, you know? But this guy made it such a warm environment to work [in].” (E! News)
• Jeremih. Zendaya is listed as a featured artist on a track by Jeremih. “Well, I sent the record to Z [Zendaya] because I thought she’d sound great on it, and she did. She came over the next week and we knocked it out. I wanted Jeremih to be on it, to be big, to be one of those major collaborations.” (Billboard)
• Sam Levinson. Zendaya starred in and produced Sam Levinson’s film. (also via Assassination Nation) “In 2021, she starred in and produced Sam Levinson 's Malcolm & Marie , filmed during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic under strict safety protocols and with a minimal crew.” (Wikipedia)
• Lemonade by Beyoncé. Zendaya is named as featured in Lemonade. “The film featured music duo Ibeyi , artist Laolu Senbanjo , actresses Amandla Stenberg , Quvenzhané Wallis , and Zendaya , as well as YouTube singing stars Chloe x Halle , ballet dancer Michaela DePrince , and 2015 Sports Illustrated Spo…” (Wikipedia)
• Labrinth. Zendaya collaborated with Labrinth on “All for Us”. (also via Euphoria (Original Score from the HBO Series)) “Having previously collaborated with Labrinth on the single " All for Us " for the first season , she co-wrote two more songs, " I'm Tired " and " Elliot's Song ", also singing on "I'm Tired".” (Wikipedia)
• Kristoffer Borgli. Zendaya describes her collaborative experience with The Drama director Kristoffer Borgli. “What’s really cool with Kris is that he’s earlier in his journey as a director and he’s so collaborative, but also very clear in what he felt worked and didn’t work.” (Interview)
• Academy of Hawaiian Arts. Zendaya danced with the Academy of Hawaiian Arts. “She also spent two years dancing hula with the Academy of Hawaiian Arts.” (Wikipedia)
• Law Roach. Zendaya has a longtime working partnership with stylist Law Roach. “Zendaya is known for her longtime partnership with stylist Law Roach .” (Wikipedia)
• John Legend. Zendaya recorded a cover of a John Legend song. “In 2014, she recorded a cover version of John Legend 's song " All of Me ", with a portion of the proceeds going to Convoy of Hope.” (Wikipedia)
• Bruno Mars (2004). Zendaya appeared in a Bruno Mars music video. “In 2017, Zendaya appeared in the music video for Bruno Mars 's song " Versace on the Floor "” (Wikipedia)
• All of Me by John Legend. The song Zendaya covered was “All of Me”. “In 2014, she recorded a cover version of John Legend 's song " All of Me ", with a portion of the proceeds going to Convoy of Hope.” (Wikipedia)
• Bridgit Mendler. Zendaya is listed as an opening act on Bridgit Mendler’s Summer Tour. “Concert tours Swag It Out Tour (2012–2014) Opening act Summer Tour ( Bridgit Mendler ) (2014)” (Wikipedia)
• Valentin Chmerkovskiy. Valentin Chmerkovskiy was Zendaya’s dance partner on Dancing with the Stars. “She and her dance partner, the professional dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy , finished as runners-up to Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough .” (Wikipedia)
• I Am Love by Luca Guadagnino (2009). I Am Love (Luca Guadagnino) — collaborator for Zendaya “She next starred in and produced Challengers (2024), directed by Luca Guadagnino.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Kidz Bop Kids. Zendaya performed in the video for a Kidz Bop cover. “In 2009, she was a featured performer in the video for the Kidz Bop cover of Katy Perry 's song " Hot n Cold ".” (Wikipedia)
• Oakland School for the Arts. Zendaya attended Oakland School for the Arts. “At age eleven, she began attending Oakland School for the Arts [ 15 ] and was cast in several roles in local theaters.” (Wikipedia)
• Assassination Nation by Sam Levinson (2018). Assassination Nation (Sam Levinson) — collaborator for Zendaya “In 2021, she starred in and produced Sam Levinson's Malcolm & Marie, filmed during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic under strict safety protocols and with a minimal crew.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Dune: Part Three. Zendaya is listed in the film's cast. “Zendaya as Chani , a young and rebellious Fremen warrior and Paul's former romantic partner [ 2 ] Jason Momoa as Hayt” (Wikipedia)
• Taylor Swift (1989). The music-video filmography lists Zendaya as a guest in Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” video. “" Bad Blood " 2015 Taylor Swift Joseph Kahn [ 216 ] " All Night " 2016 Beyoncé Beyoncé [ 217 ]” (Wikipedia)
• Trevor Jackson. The music-video filmography lists Zendaya as a guest in Trevor Jackson’s video. “"Like We Grown" 2013 Trevor Jackson Mike Ho " Bad Blood " 2015 Taylor Swift Joseph Kahn” (Wikipedia)
• Elvis Mitchell. Zendaya appeared in Elvis Mitchell’s documentary. “Zendaya next appeared in Elvis Mitchell 's documentary Is That Black Enough for You?!? (2022).” (Wikipedia)
• Chris Brown. Chris Brown featured on Zendaya’s single “Something New”. “The following year, she released the single " Something New " featuring Chris Brown , through Hollywood Records and Republic Records.” (Wikipedia)
• Zac Efron. Zendaya recorded “Rewrite the Stars” as a duet with Zac Efron. “Her duet with Zac Efron , " Rewrite the Stars ", from The Greatest Showman soundtrack (2017), charted in the top 20 and achieved multi-platinum status in various countries.” (Wikipedia)
• Fruitvale Station by Ryan Coogler (2013). Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler) — geography for Zendaya “She accepted the role after Ryan Coogler approached her, citing both her admiration for him and her fondness for the original 1996 film.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Christopher Nolan (1970). Zendaya appeared in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. “She also appeared as the goddess Athena in Christopher Nolan 's The Odyssey and as MJ in Spider-Man: Brand New Day .” (Wikipedia)
• Tommy Hilfiger. Zendaya co-designed capsule collections for Tommy Hilfiger. “In October 2018, Zendaya became a brand ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger and co-designed the Tommy x Zendaya capsule collections, drawing inspiration from the 1970s and its "strong, iconic women".” (Wikipedia)
• Future Shock Oakland. Zendaya performed with the named dance group for three years. “At age eight, Zendaya joined Future Shock Oakland, a hip-hop dance group with which she performed for three years.” (Wikipedia)
• Denis Villeneuve (1967). Zendaya acted in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune. “The same year, she portrayed Chani in Denis Villeneuve 's science fiction epic Dune , the first installment of a two-part adaptation of the 1965 novel .” (Wikipedia)
• Call Me by Your Name by Luca Guadagnino (2017). Call Me by Your Name (Luca Guadagnino) — peer for Zendaya “She next starred in and produced Challengers (2024), directed by Luca Guadagnino.” (en.wikipedia.org)
• Bella Thorne. Zendaya and Bella Thorne collaborated on the single “Watch Me”. “In 2011, Zendaya released the singles " Swag It Out " and " Watch Me ", the latter a collaboration with Bella Thorne .” (Wikipedia)
• Timbaland. Timbaland confirmed a collaboration with Zendaya on her second album. “In March 2015, musician Timbaland confirmed that he was collaborating with Zendaya on her second album, after her move from Disney's label to Republic Records .” (Wikipedia)
• Blindspotting by Daveed Diggs (2018). Blindspotting (Daveed Diggs) — geography for Zendaya (themoviedb.org)

…and 4 more on the map above.

Who Zendaya influenced

• From Bad to Cursed. The literary work was promoted through a book trailer starring Zendaya. ““I got some chills! There’s some weird things where the darkness gets into the girl, and I visualized it in my head. On my show [Shake It Up], I’m kind of upbeat and cheery all the time, but definitely for this I had to bring out my dark…” (anythingdiz (archived Just Jared Jr. interview))
• A Wrinkle in Time. A Wrinkle in Time (Ava DuVernay) — legacy for Zendaya (themoviedb.org)
• Little by Tina Gordon (2019). Little (Tina Gordon) — legacy for Zendaya (themoviedb.org)