zendaya coleman Zendaya (born Zendaya Janae Coleman; September 1, 1996) is an American actress. She stars as the aspiring young dancer Rocky Blue on the Disney Channel original series Shake It Up!. Zendaya, which means "to give thanks" in Shona, was born "Zendaya Janae Coleman" on September 1, 1996, in Oakland, California.[1][2][3] She grew up as part of the California Shakespeare Theater in Orinda, California where her mother worked as the House Manager.[1][2][3] In addition to training at