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Zendaya Makes TIME 100’s Most Influential People of 2022

Zendaya may only be a quarter-century old, but she has already been named one of the world's most influential people for 2022 by TIME. 
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Zendaya may only be a quarter-century old, but she has already been named one of the world’s most influential people for 2022 by TIME

Zendaya may only be a quarter-century old, but she has already been named one of the world's most influential people for 2022 by TIME. 
Eddy Chen/HBO

The Spider-Man: No Way Home star has made her career in cinema, television, fashion, and music. She is seen on the cover sporting a bold red lip to go with her elaborate red Valentino cape. Fierce is an understatement when speaking of this global icon. Zendaya has also used her position to speak out against police violence toward unarmed black civilians and to address the issue of race in Hollywood.

Surprisingly, the road to fame was not always paved in gold for the Euphoria star. When she first auditioned for Shake it Up, producers passed on Zendaya for the role of Cece Jones, choosing Bella Thorne, a candidate with no prior dance experience. This was only the beginning of her tumultuous experience with Disney. Despite roadblocks in her career, Zendaya never stopped striving to achieve her dreams. Since her start at Disney, the star has held roles in the Spider-Man trilogy, The Greatest Showman, Dune, and the hit HBO series Euphoria, to name a few. Her role in Euphoria also earned her an Emmy Award. Zendaya was also among the list of producers for her Netflix film Malcolm & Marie.

In addition to her wildly successful acting career, Zendaya made her mark on the fashion industry when she launched Daya by Zendaya in 2013. In 2021, she received the Fashion Icon award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, an award which has also gone to Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, and Jennifer Lopez. The star has partnered with brands such as Valentino and Bulgari and is renowned for her iconic red-carpet looks.

To complete the trifecta, Zendaya has also had a successful music career, reaching the Billboard charts six times. Two of her songs performed on the Euphoria soundtrack have reached the Billboard charts. She also wrote a song featured on the Euphoria Season 2 Finale.

Looking at the span of Zendaya’s career, it’s no surprise the star has been chosen among the top 100 most influential people in the world. Zendaya has used her influence to shape culture positively and bring social issues to the forefront. The star has clearly earned her title, and will likely be a name remembered for generations to come. Watch behind-the-scenes footage of the TIME cover below.