American actress Zendaya marked her 30th birthday on Tuesday, September 1, by sharing a childhood photograph on Instagram and expressing her gratitude to fans.
The Emmy Award winning performer thanked her followers for their birthday wishes and reflected on entering a new decade of her life. Writing on her official Instagram account, Zendaya stated that she could not find the words to thank her supporters for making the final year of her 20s so beautiful.
She added that she has so much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to, closing her message with love as she turned 30. The post featured an image from her early childhood showing her with her hair styled in two pigtails, wearing a light pink shirt and purple checkered trousers.
Mother's birthday tribute and FaceTime call
Zendaya's mother, Claire Stoermer, also celebrated the milestone by sharing a separate tribute on Instagram. The 62-year-old posted a picture of her daughter as a young girl dressed in a floral light-blue dress.
In her caption, Stoermer wished a happy 30th birthday to the love and light of her life. She noted that although Zendaya is no longer active on social media and would not see the post directly, the pair had just spoken over a FaceTime video call.
Family background and early life
Zendaya was born on September 1, 1996, to Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman. Both of her parents worked as school teachers during her upbringing in California.
Stoermer and Coleman divorced in 2016 after eight years of marriage, though they have maintained a close relationship in the years since. Zendaya is the only child born to the couple together, while she has five older half-siblings on her father's side.
Hollywood career and recent milestones
Born Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, the performer first rose to prominence as a child model and dancer before making her television debut on the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up. She later transitioned into feature films, starring as MJ in Marvel Studios' Spider-Man franchise and as Chani in Denis Villeneuve's Dune film adaptations.
Her portrayal of Rue Bennett in the HBO teenage drama series Euphoria earned her widespread critical acclaim, making her the youngest two-time recipient of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. In addition to acting, she has established herself as a fashion icon and producer.
Personal life and recent events
The birthday celebrations follow earlier reports regarding Zendaya's personal life. In August 2026, reports surfaced that English actor Tom Holland was moved to tears upon seeing Zendaya during their secret wedding ceremony in England.
Holland and Zendaya first met while co-starring in the 2017 superhero film Spider-Man: Homecoming. Holland, who plays Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has maintained a high-profile relationship with the actress for several years.
