Skip to main content
  • News
    • MTV News
    • Trending News
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Taylor Swift
    • Kim Kardashian
  • Music
    • Music Highlights
    • Music Videos
    • Charts
    • Playlists
    • EMAs
    • MTV PUSH
    • Artists
  • Shows
    • Latest Shows
    • The Charlotte Show
    • Geordie Shore
    • Ex on the Beach
    • Just Tattoo Of Us
    • Teen Mom UK
    • The Royal World
  • Movies
    • Movies Highlights
    • New Movies Coming Soon
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Trailers
    • Moana
  • Travel
    • Videos
  • Style
  • Life
    • Life
    • MTV Breaks
    • Sex
    • WTF
    • SRS
    • Travel
    • Fitness
    • Generation Change
  • Pictures
  • Win
  • MTV Play
  • TV Guide
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Search
  • Pictures
  • Win
  • MTV Play
  • TV Guide
Home
  • News
    • MTV News
    • Trending News
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Taylor Swift
    • Kim Kardashian
  • Music
    • Music Highlights
    • Music Videos
    • Charts
    • Playlists
    • EMAs
    • MTV PUSH
    • Artists
  • Shows
    • Latest Shows
    • The Charlotte Show
    • Geordie Shore
    • Ex on the Beach
    • Just Tattoo Of Us
    • Teen Mom UK
    • The Royal World
  • Movies
    • Movies Highlights
    • New Movies Coming Soon
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Trailers
    • Moana
  • Travel
    • Videos
  • Style
  • Life
    • Life
    • MTV Breaks
    • Sex
    • WTF
    • SRS
    • Travel
    • Fitness
    • Generation Change
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Search

Zendaya Coleman

  • Main
  • Videos
  • Pictures
  • News

Zendaya Opens Up About Breaking Down Racial Barriers In Hollywood

Zendaya is channelling her inner Olivia Pope, so watch out world.

  • Share to Facebook
  • Tweet to Twitter
  • Share to Google plus
Tuesday, August 7, 2018 - 10:27

Zendaya has spoken out about her career journey in the entertainment industry as part of her Marie Claire September issue cover story.

Chatting with Janet Mock, the actress explains that as a black woman it’s important for her to use the platform she’s gained to change the narrative for future generations.

https://instagram.com/p/BmIwTQlAlK3/

“What is important to me is knowing we are not the only black girls in the industry,” she said when asked about representation. 

“We kind of have been painted as the face, and that’s not the truth. It’s important to have a conversation where we are opening the door to our peers and more black women who don’t necessarily look like us.”

https://instagram.com/p/BmJ2SCkhEZI/

And she’s not afraid to go for roles that are stuck in the archaic stereotype, as she explains how she’s ready to change the narrative.

“I always tell my theatrical manager, 'Anytime it says they’re looking for white girls, send me out. Let me get in the room. Maybe they’ll change their minds.”

This mentality saw Zendaya land her first big screen role in Spider-Man Homecoming, as she recounted: “I didn’t know that they were going to be more diverse in their casting. I didn’t know that I was walking into a situation where they were already breaking the rules. You get so used to having to break the rules for people.”

Zendaya for president, please.

Latest News

Get To Know: Dylan Conrique
Get To Know: Dylan Conrique
Get To Know - Moonchild Sanelly
Get To Know: Moonchild Sanelly
Get To Know: FLO
Get To Know: FLO
Get To Know - Poppy Ajudha
Get To Know: Poppy Ajudha
Get To Know: Bru-C
Get To Know: Bru-C
Get To Know: Alissic
Get To Know: Alissic
Get To Know: French The Kid
Get To Know: French The Kid
Get To Know: Daisy Brain
Get To Know: Daisy Brain
Get To Know: Dylan
Get To Know: Dylan
Get To Know: Flowerovlove
Get To Know: Flowerovlove
Get To Know: Luude
Get To Know: Luude
Our Music Portfolio Is Changing
Get To Know: Belters Only
Get To Know: Belters Only
Get To Know: CMAT
Get To Know: CMAT
Get To Know: Rêve
Get To Know: Rêve
Get To Know: Lauran Hibberd
Get To Know: Lauran Hibberd
Bad Boy Chiller Crew
Bad Boy Chiller Crew Win MTV PUSH UK & IRE 2022!
MTV’s Catfish UK: Apply Now
The BRIT Awards 2022 Hosted By Mo Gilligan
Win Tickets To The BRIT Awards 2022!
Wet Leg
Wet Leg Found It "So Weird" When People Sang Their Songs

More From Zendaya Coleman

Zendaya Opens Up About Black Representation In Hollywood: “We’re On A Really Good Path”
Zendaya And Timothée Chalamet Open Up About Their Secret Hotel Dance Parties
Zendaya Receives The Visionary Award At The 2020 Green Carpet Fashion Awards
Storm Reid Opens Up About Her Connection With “Sister” Zendaya: “She’s So Genuine”
Jacob Elordi Sent A Congratulatory Note To Zendaya For Her Win At The Emmys
Jacob Elordi And Zendaya Have Reportedly Split Amid Claims He’s “Interested” In Kaia Gerber
Zendaya And Jacob Elordi Cosy Up In Sweatpants While Travelling To Australia
Jacob Elordi Has Been Pictured Kissing Rumoured Girlfriend Zendaya In New York
Zendaya And Timothee Chalamet Have Been Pictured Shopping At A Bed Bath & Beyond
Zendaya Has Been Spotted Hanging Out With Rumoured Boyfriend Jacob Elordi
Zendaya And Jacob Elordi Were Reportedly Spotted On A Casual Date To The Movies
Zendaya Sparks Dating Rumours After Holidaying With ‘Euphoria’ Co-Star Jacob Elordi

Trending Articles

Get To Know: Dylan
Get To Know: Dylan
10 Things Your Heartbroken Friend Needs To Hear
Charli D’Amelio Responds To Accusations She Buys Followers On TikTok
18 Most Naked Of Naked Moments To Have Ever Hit Geordie Shore
Wet Leg
Wet Leg Found It "So Weird" When People Sang Their Songs
Life
Here's Why Celebs Are Holding Four Fingers Up In Their Selfies
21 Types Of People You'll Find In Every Friendship Group
Dixie D’Amelio Speaks Out After She And Charli Were Criticised For Being “Rude” To Their Chef
What 15 Of The Most Common Sex Dreams ACTUALLY Mean
Celebrity
10 Celebrities Who Have Some Seriously Kinky Sex Likes In The Bedroom
Get To Know: Dylan Conrique
Get To Know: Dylan Conrique
  • Contact Us
  • Access Services
  • Website Terms
  • Mobile Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • MTV Jobs
  • MTV Press
  • Anti-Slavery
  • Global Tax Policy Statement
Hit us with some keywords!