The Evolution Of A Child Star
Allure|January 2017

She doesn’t drink. She doesn’t do drugs. And until very recently Zendaya still lived with her mom and dad. But make no mistake, when the actress wants to turn heads, well, let’s just say she can stir a controversy.

Elizabeth Siegel
The Evolution Of A Child Star

The first thing you need to know about Zendaya is that you’re saying her name wrong. It is not zen-DIE-uh. It’s zen-DAY-uh. Maybe you could be forgiven when you consider the fact that she just turned 20 and you’re probably rusty on your Disney Channel cast members. Then again, she’s a legit red-carpet favorite, an accomplished musician, and oh my God, she just turned 20.

Before we met, I had my theory about Zendaya all fleshed out and ready to prove. First of all, she is one of the rarest breeds of celebrity—the kind who find their way through the public eye while smack in the middle of the public eye. We didn’t meet Zendaya as a woman; we’re watching her become a woman. Being famous invites scrutiny, and growing up as you’re getting really famous invites the most intense kind of scrutiny. It’s got to be a little jarring for the celebrities being watched. Or so you’d think. But so far, from everything I’ve read about her, Zendaya is handling her fame and newfound adulthood with dignity and grace and a distinct lack of DUIs. Look for a paparazzi picture of Zendaya giving someone the finger—it doesn’t exist. Her lack of a privileged,obnoxious Hollywood demeanor makes you root for her. It makes you want your daughter to listen to her music. It makes you happy that she’s on the cusp of something really big. Figuratively, yes, but literally, too.

Zendaya just moved into a house with three balconies, five bedrooms, five bathrooms, a three-car garage, and one truly massive kitchen. This is where I met her recently on one of those very sunny, very optimistic, very California type of days.

This story is from the January 2017 edition of Allure.

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This story is from the January 2017 edition of Allure.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.