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Zendaya Reflects on Influences and Childhood Fandom

Known for her expressive performances that often go viral, Zendaya recently shared insights about her early influences in an interview with Vanity Fair. The actress pointed to Raven-Symoné as a significant inspiration.

Zendaya expressed her admiration, stating, “I grew up watching Raven-Symoné, who I think is one of the queens of facial expression.” She playfully imitated the iconic catchphrase from Symoné’s show, That’s So Raven, emphasizing the lasting impact of her comedic style. “What I appreciate about her comedy in that show is you can watch it now and it holds up,” Zendaya remarked, highlighting the show’s timeless appeal.

As a testament to this connection, Zendaya recently introduced her eight-year-old niece to The Cheetah Girls. However, her niece’s reaction was less than enthusiastic. “To be honest, she was like, ‘Why are you so into it?'” Zendaya recalled, demonstrating her excitement with a spontaneous rendition of “I don’t want to be like Cinderella.” Her niece humorously replied, “Auntie. Girl. Calm down.”

Zendaya’s journey as a fan of Disney shows is evident in her own childhood experiences. She fondly recalled, “I used to be a Cheetah Girl myself.” Together with her friends, Zendaya created their own performances, even practicing in front of windows and putting on shows for events like Grandparents Day, signifying the seriousness with which they approached their passion.

Like Raven-Symoné, Zendaya’s career blossomed on the Disney Channel, where she starred in Shake It Up from 2010 to 2013, alongside other memorable projects. This shared background highlights a thread of influence and nostalgia that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Source
people.com