19 year old Zendaya is a singer, a dancer and an actress but this star thinks the biggest part of her career is being a role model - and staying a role model. And has just been named Complex Magazine's Woman of Next Year.
Zendaya is a perfectionist, someone who strives to be a role model, and does an impressive job, as she proved earlier this year after Giuliana Rancic made a comment about her dreadlocks at the Oscars and Zendaya’s own decision last year to drop out of a controversial movie about the life of Aaliyah.
That’s probably why the current Disney darling didn’t hesitate to come to former Disney star Miley Cyrus’s defense when asked about her much criticized transition from clean-cut Hannah Montana to wild woman in no time flat.
“A lot of them were forced into being role models and they had to pretend to be something that they didn’t feel matched up with who they were,” Zendaya, 19, says in a new interview with Complex magazine. “And that’s because they started really, really young. So you’ve got to realize when you’re really young you don’t know who you are yet. And as soon as you figure it out, you’ve already been forced to become something that you didn’t really know you signed up for. So it’s like, I get it. There’s a lot of pressure, so I completely understand. Everyone has their different ways of learning and growing and finding out who they are, and you can’t fault people for that. Again, I think with all the prior Disney stars, at least you can say they are themselves now."
That said, Zendaya insists that her genuine self will not be having any scandalous moments like some of her peers. The self-proclaimed perfectionist strives to be an example.
"I think it’s a responsibility,” she says, “but like Tupac Shakur, I’m a real model. Which means: I’m not pretending to be something that I’m not, because like he said, people are going to be disappointed when they find out who you are, because it’s not going to be what you presented to the world. So just keep it real. I’m a good kid and that’s all.”
So, there’s not going to be a day when we see Zendaya twerking across the stage at an awards show … or much worse?
“No. That’s why I said, in order to avoid those problems just be yourself from the beginning and be honest with the world, because that’s the only thing you can do,” Zendaya confirms. “There will be no surprises."
Although she’s young, Zendaya speaks with confidence that she attributes to knowing her roots.
"You get the best and the worst of both worlds [growing up biracial],” says the Oakland, California native. “I know there were a lot of times when you try to figure out where you fit in. I just realized that it worked to my advantage because I just got along with a lot of people. But to literally be two races, it’s really hard to see color because I’m the gray area. I had to learn about both sides of myself and be really proud of and educated in both. I think that’s why I’m comfortable with myself and can speak on certain issues because I’ve taken the time, or my parents have taken the time, to teach me who I am."
(Photo: Complex magazine)
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