From Aguilera to Zendaya

ANOTHER DISNEY STARLET is about to take a musical leap. Californian singer and dancer Zendaya, a familiar face from Disney Channel’s series “Shake It Up”, is taking the music scene by storm with her self-titled debut album, and a worldwide hit “Replay”.
Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Hillary Duff and Selena Gomez all did it – transitioning from Disney teen screen stars to globally recognised pop divas. So why can’t Zendaya? She can sing. She can act. She can dance. And she’s a real beauty.
At only 17, Zendaya – real name Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman – has been modelling for Macy’s and Old Navy. She has become one of the Disney Channel’s most recognisable faces. She has written a self-help book for teens, “Between U and Me: How to Rock Your Tween Years with Style and Confidence”, and came second in the reality-show competition “Dancing with the Stars” last year.
Her full-length debut album “Zendaya” came out last September in the US, debuting on the Billboard 200 chart at No 51 and selling 7,458 copies in the first week.
In a few more weeks, fans all over the world, including Thailand, will finally get a first glimpse of the Californian pop star’s electro R&B-laced album.
We gave her a call to have a little chat.

ARE YOU EXCITED THAT “ZENDAYA” WILL BE RELEASED OUTSIDE THE US SOON?
Yes, it’s been going great so far out here and I’m very proud of the success that “Replay” had, but I’m also even more excited for the world to hear my vision and my passion, which is music. So hopefully everyone out there will enjoy it and I will able to visit very soon.

“REPLAY” IS SUCH A BIG HIT. WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND IT?
“Replay” was a song that from the second I heard I’m in love with and I got to record it. So you know we got to studio we have a team to try a few things, and write a few things but I after I put my voice in it, it started to become my own. I hope people like it, no matter how they may or may not connect with the song. You know, people may think, on a first hear, that it’s a lovey-dovey song, but it’s more than that. It’s about having a passion or love so much you just want to constantly have it around you, and you want to put it on replay.

YOU WERE THE YOUNGEST CONTESTANT EVER ON “DANCING WITH THE STARS”. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?
I came in second. It was a real moment and I worked my butt off and tried my hardest. I think I took it more seriously than anybody else. I didn’t want to come on a show and just become a celebrity. I was trying to learn to become a professional dancer. Besides that, I had other experiences that I will take with me forever, and I got a big brother out of it.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO DANCE?
When it comes to entertainment and dancing inspiration, I would say Michael Jackson, because he’s Michael Jackson! I think he was able to touch the world with his music and I think he wouldn’t have been known for only being good singer or entertainer but an amazing dancer. He had all the world in his hands.

YOU ALSO CREATE YOUR OWN MUSIC. HOW DOES IT WORK?
I like to co-write with people, so basically we’ll find producer and people I can collaborate with. We work in a studio and work on stuff from scratch until it becomes something – maybe just a beat or two or the whole song. For me it’s more about learning about the passage, how it’s done and how to write over music, and how the albums and songs are structured.

WHAT KINDS OF MUSIC DID YOU GROW UP LISTENING TO?
I’ve grown up listening to everything. My favourite was hip-hop and R&B, but I also love pop music. I love a little bit of country music and I love reggae. I like to be well rounded when it comes to music and really expose myself to everything.
I still listen to a bit of everything. I think it’s important, especially for an artist, to be open to all kinds of music and be appreciative, not necessarily of just the songs you like, but also the hard work that goes into it.

YOU GOT INTO SHOWBIZ AT A VERY YOUNG AGE. IS MUSIC THE DIRECTION YOU AIM TO PURSUE?
I’ll say yes. But also I want to do a little bit of everything. I think it’s important for me to reach all my talent goals and potential. There are many things I want to do and have left to do.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR TIME BETWEEN WORK, SCHOOL AND FAMILY?
I have my parents to take care of that. They deal with all the craziness, so I’m enjoying myself and I can be focused just on my art and what I love to do. I don’t really worry so much about where I’m going next. I just enjoy.

WE’VE HEARD THAT YOU ALSO LIKE DESIGNING CLOTHES. HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT?
I love fashion in general and I love the idea of creating a different persona for fashion. I love the idea that there are no rules when it comes to fashion. Definitely it is something I want to pursue more seriously. I want to have my own clothing line, and that’s what I’m trying to do now. I’m going to convey my own style into fashion.

CAN YOU SAY SOMETHING TO YOUR THAI FANS?
Thank you! When I have support all over, it shows that time doesn’t really take a toll on the connection you have with people. I’d like to thank all of you who support me, no matter far away you may be.