On the September issue of Marie Claire, former Disney star, Zendaya, shares her journey in the entertainment industry and how she wants to use her platform to show people ''how much beauty there is in the African-American community.”
The Greatest Showman star said that had she not become an actress, she would have taken up teaching. Both her parents are teachers so this would make sense.
She has however, in a way, incorporated teaching into her career as an actress and has taken on the responsibility of using the platform granted to her by her career as a way to teach others.
''I’m very aware that I don’t know everything, but I do try my best with the platform that I have, knowing how many people look to me. I try my best to inform myself and live my best life so that I can inspire my fans to live their best lives, be more educated, and learn for themselves. And I try to do it in a way that’s not telling people what to think but opening up their eyes to possibilities, ideas maybe they never thought about. I try to look at it as a responsibility more than anything.''
She explained how she likes that she can use her platform as a voice for those who don't have one.
''I get fueled by the different people I’m able to positively affect. When people come up to you, and instead of saying, “I loved the last project you did,” they’re like, “I appreciate that you said this,” that makes me feel good.''
She went on to say, ''What my white peers would be able to get away with at this point in their career is not something that I will be able to do. And I knew that from when I was real young.''
You can catch that full interview here.
Zendaya is set to star alongside Reese Witherspoon in 'A White Lie.' A film based on the true story of a light-skinned African-American woman who convinces a college admission's board that she is Caucasian in order to attend the school.
