Zendaya has built one of Hollywood's most closely watched careers over the past decade and a half, moving from Disney Channel star to Emmy-winning drama lead and franchise blockbuster fixture. Here are 10 facts about the actress that trace that path.

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Her full name is Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, and "Zendaya" means "to give thanks" in the Shona language, according to IMDb. She has said the name reflects her mixed heritage, drawing on African American roots from her father's side and German and Scottish ancestry from her mother's side.

Before acting, Zendaya worked as a child model for retailers including Macy's, Old Navy and Mervyn's, according to IMDb. She was also part of a hip-hop dance group as a child and appeared as a backup dancer in a Sears commercial alongside Selena Gomez, according to a summary of her career published by The Fact Site.

Zendaya auditioned for the lead role in a school production of "James and the Giant Peach" but........

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