Early life and interest in performing arts

Zendaya was born to teachers Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu. She began performing in Oakland, California, at a young age, practicing hula with the Academy of Hawaiian Arts and dancing with Future Shock Oakland, a hip-hop dance troupe. She went on to study at the Cal Shakes Conservatory Program, Orinda; the American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco; and the Oakland School for the Arts. While attending the latter, Zendaya acted in many stage productions, including Once on This Island at the Berkeley Playhouse and Caroline, or Change at Palo Alto’s TheaterWorks (both in California). Her other theatrical credits include William Shakespeare’s Richard III, Twelfth Night, and As You Like It. She also modeled, appeared in TV commercials, and was a dancer in a Kidz Bop video.