Zendaya has achieved monumental success in her career, recently becoming the highest-paid Black actress in television history with a remarkable salary of $1 million per episode for the upcoming season of Euphoria. This astonishing achievement positions her among the elite in Hollywood, surpassing previous records held by other notable actresses.
The title previously belonged to Kerry Washington, who earned $800,000 for her role in the hit series Scandal and later rose to around $1 million per episode for her work on Little Fires Everywhere. Zendaya's newly renegotiated contract not only marks her as a frontrunner in economic compensation but highlights her dual involvement as both the lead star and an executive producer of Euphoria.
Compounding this professional triumph is the emotional backdrop of Zendaya's familial relations—specifically her half-sister, Latonja Coleman, who recently opened up about their estranged relationship. In candid interviews with publications including The U.S. Sun and San Francisco Chronicle, Coleman, 51, revealed a troubling narrative of familial alienation. According to Coleman, she has seen Zendaya only twice over the past seven years.
She expressed feelings of being sidelined by the family, particularly favoring Zendaya's father’s children from his second marriage. Coleman disclosed, "I tried to contact Zendaya after being diagnosed with cancer but was blocked by family members," a claim that paints a painful picture of their fractured relationship.
Despite these serious familial issues, Coleman offered her thoughts on Zendaya's romance with Tom Holland, stating that she finds their height difference "odd" but believes they are a good match.
Speaking of Tom Holland, Zendaya and the actor have made headlines not just for their professional endeavors, but for their enchanting romance, which they officially confirmed in 2021 after a five-year friendship that blossomed on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming. Though they are often spotted together, they have largely kept their public appearances to a minimum. In fact, Holland shared insight into their dynamic in a recent interview with Men’s Health: "It’s not my moment. It’s her moment, and if we go together, it’s about us."
Such sentiments reflect a deep respect for Zendaya's contributions to her craft and the desire to support her rather than overshadow her endeavors.
In addition to their rare red carpet appearances, which have been mostly limited to film premieres, their outings can often be characterized as low-key, dashing through farmers' markets or dining at exquisite restaurants. Over the years, they have been spotted sharing matches at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and even attending press nights together. The couple’s fashion coordination adds another layer of intrigue to their sightings, harmonizing their styles effortlessly from 2021 to the present.
Their latest public moment occurred during the 2025 Golden Globes, where Zendaya was spotted wearing a striking ring adorning her left hand, igniting rumors of an engagement. The Los Angeles Times noted how Zendaya seemed to showcase the ring while engaging in media interactions at the ceremony.
As speculation swirled, a source later confirmed to Us Weekly that Holland indeed proposed to Zendaya after years of friendship, with the engagement adding a new dimension to their already captivating story. Amid the glitz of awards and accolades, Zendaya facilitates a balancing act of monumental professional success and complex personal narratives, demonstrating that even in the realm of Hollywood, family dynamics persist alongside fame.
Through it all, Zendaya’s journey serves as a beacon for those in the industry, making her achievements all the more significant against the backdrop of her family's tumultuous history. She embodies the duality of a rising star navigating personal challenges while striving for her rightful place in Hollywood.
