Zendaya’s long journey: From Disney princess to red carpet queen

After many years of trying, Zendaya has secured her position in the elite fashion world with outstanding appearances on the red carpet.

After attending the Met Gala red carpet 5 times, in 2024, Zendaya was given the honor of hosting the event for the first time along with Jennifer Lopez, Chris Hemsworth, Bad Bunny and Vogue Editor-in-Chief – Anna Wintour. The actress did this when she was only 27 years old. Remember, 3 years earlier, Zendaya was also the youngest person to be awarded the Fashion Icon award from the American Fashion Association (CFDA). At the time, CDFA called her “Someone who makes a style statement every time she appears.”

The first step

Zendaya's long journey: From Disney princess to red carpet queen - Photo 1.

Zendaya at the 2021 Venice Film Festival.

Zendaya first made a mark with the audience when she took on the role of Rocky Blue in the Disney series – Shake It Up. At that time, the actress brought everything the audience could expect from a Disney princess with lovely, dynamic, youthful, and innocent outfits at the age of 15. An important turning point in her career. actress’s success was when she collaborated with emerging stylist Law Roach. This meeting led to one of the most successful star-designer relationships in Hollywood.

As Law Roach once revealed, he had an extremely detailed plan to make Zendaya the big star she is today: “Zendaya is a Disney girl and there aren’t many Disney girls who are respected. No one wanted to model for them, so I came up with a plan for her to attack the entertainment industry.” And that “gamble” really paid off as Zendaya became increasingly recognized by the media, while her stylist was noticed by many in the industry.

Leaving “wonderland”

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The actress transformed into Cinderella at the Met Gala fashion event in 2019.

In 2015, Zendaya received an invitation to the world’s largest fashion party Met Gala for the first time. That was also when she decided to upgrade her appearance with more artistic outfits. She even tried to pay tribute to past black icons such as Diana Ross and Aaliyah. To this day, the former Disney star continues to do this, creating a series of classic fashion moments.

By 2017, Zendaya succeeded in becoming one of the best-dressed stars at the Met Gala, signaling a new change in fashion style in which she herself is not hesitant to try new things. And even when she transformed into Cinderella in a sparkling Tommy Hilfiger dress for the Met Gala two years later, audiences no longer remembered her as a Disney princess. Those “fairy” days have been completely left behind.

Whether appearing at the Met Gala or just an interview on The Late Show, Zendaya takes advantage of the opportunity to shine in public.

 

New generation fashion icon

Zendaya's long journey: From Disney princess to red carpet queen - Photo 4.

Zendaya was chosen as one of the hosts of the 2024 Met Gala.

In just a few years, Zendaya has solidified her status as one of the most anticipated faces on the red carpet. After that, she began to get creative, bringing elements of menswear into her style. She also uses her knowledge of fashion history by wearing rare pieces, such as a 2000s Versace dress. Subtle and hidden references to icons like Cher and super villains DC Poison Ivy on her outfit both excited the media and the audience.

Zendaya has come a long way since the first day she joined Hollywood, from her active teenage wardrobe to a series of elaborately designed outfits. It can be said that Zendaya has become a new fashion icon, attracting all the media’s attention every time she appears on the red carpet.

Up to now, Zendaya’s appearance on the red carpet is no longer considered a “plus point” for the event, but she has become the main character. Over the years, Zendaya has excelled with groundbreaking fashion thinking, reinventing herself to become a new generation fashion icon worthy of the name that CNN once called: “The reigning queen of every red carpet.”