The Disney princess who’s grown up to be the new queen of Hollywood ...thanks to Mum and Dad

it easier. But it took quite some time before I became financially independent and could help my parents. I am so grateful and proud to have reached this point and I couldn’t have done it without the total support of my family.” Following Zendaya’s Disney success, roles in The Greatest Showman and Spider-man: Homecoming followed.

Then, in 2019, she made the switch from Disney darling to problem child when she played Rue, a lying, drugaddicted 17-yearold girl in Euphoria

– an American drama produced by rapper Drake.

Filming on series two was halted because of Covid-19, but Zendaya returned to work last week.

She is delighted to be back – although she admits the role is her most draining yet rewarding to date. She said: “Sometimes I found playing Rue was exhausting but also very cathartic and therapeutic because it’s bringing out and purging feelings.

“I’ve grown a lot working on the series because this kind of character forces you to think about so many important issues and feelings you’ve had.

“You can’t hide when you’re living with that kind of role.”

Zendaya, who is thought to be dating her Euphoria co-star Jacob Elordi, admits she is a “very shy, introverted person” and her mum and dad even had to attend classes for the parents of timid children when she was little.

So playing the young rebel can sometimes be a huge challenge.

Zendaya said: “There are times where I couldn’t stop crying. I’m thinking particularly of the scene where Rue and her mother are having this big fight.

“I’m a quiet person by nature and I don’t like shouting. In fact I don’t think I have ever screamed at someone in my entire life. “And when I had to do it in that scene, pushing myself into that darkness both physically and emotionally, it was very upsetting, like something that crushes your soul.”

Zendaya, who has previously been linked to fellow Disney star Trevor Jackson, American football player Odell Beckham Jr and her Spider-man co-star Tom Holland, is next due to appear in Dune.

The eagerly awaited sciencefiction film – based on Frank Herbert’s cult 1965 novel – is due out in December. As well as being a successful actress, Zendaya is a fully fledged musician. In her Disney days she released several singles and an album and sang with Zac Efron in The Greatest Showman.

The rising star is something of a fashion icon too. In 2016, she launched her own clothing line and was named in Net-a-porter’s Best Dressed list two years later. In 2019, she became a Vogue cover star and was also named Lancôme’s newest ambassador, following in the footsteps of Julia Roberts.

Her striking Tom Ford breastplate top also turned heads at the Critics’ Choice Awards in January, with Gwyneth Paltrow, 47, who wore it first, posting on Instagram: “Thank God I can say I have something in common with Zendaya.”

Zendaya’s ultimate goal is to “be like Oprah Winfrey” – the talk show host, actress, producer and media executive who is worth £2billion.

With her current credentials, it seems the multi-talented star is well on her way.