Why Do People Hate Zendaya?
Zendaya first came into the public eye as a Disney Channel star on the show “Shake It Up” starting in 2010 when she was just 14 years old. After the show ended in 2013, Zendaya transitioned into movies like “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “The Greatest Showman” as well as leading roles on TV shows like “Euphoria.”
Her extremely quick rise to fame at a young age has led some people to believe she hasn’t “paid her dues” and dislikes her success. There may also be some jealousy that she achieved stardom and critical praise so early on.
Perceived Lack of Talent or “Over-hype”
While Zendaya has many fans and supporters who find her talented, especially in recent years, some believe she lacks raw talent and is overhyped by the media and fans. Her singing and dancing ability came into question early on, and some find her acting one-dimensional despite her Emmy win.
There’s a sense from detractors that she receives acclaim disproportionate to her abilities, especially compared to less mainstream actors. This perceived undeserved hype drives some of the dislike.
Personality and Outspokenness
Zendaya has a very outspoken, goofy, and unfiltered personality at times. She is frank in interviews, openly discussing anxieties, flaws, and controversial topics like race, politics, and mental health.
While many find this candor and advocating refreshing, some perceive it as pretentious, ungrateful or overly outspoken for someone relatively new to fame. Her confidence discussing complex issues at a young age strikes some as “preachy.”
Style and Fashion Choices
Zendaya often makes bold, cutting-edge fashion choices for red carpets and events – ranging from dreadlocks and suits to elaborate gowns addressing social issues. She embraces daring, artsy styles that don’t fit typical “Hollywood glamour.”
While she receives praise as a fashion icon, some find her style choices too avant-garde or belief she intentionally dresses controversially for attention or to make statements. Dislike of her sense of style bleeds into overall dislike for some.
Most Common Reasons for Disliking Zendaya
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Rapid Rise to Fame | Belief she hasn’t “paid her dues” and dislike of her quick success at a young age |
| Perceived Lack of Talent | Sense she lacks singing, dancing, and acting ability but is over-praised |
| Outspoken Personality | Finds her frank discussions about race, mental health etc. as too preachy or outspoken |
| Bold Fashion Choices | Dislike of her avant-garde, intentionally controversial style and red carpet looks |
Claims She “Sides Against Her Own”
There is also a contingent online who take issue with Zendaya portraying troubled characters like Rue on Euphoria, believing she perpetuates negative stereotypes about black women. Some believe she too often plays into “white Hollywood” compared to uplifting roles.
While this critique is in the minority, it contributes to pockets of the black community disliking her for seemingly siding against people of color even as she advocates for black issues publicly.
Younger Fans Can Be Overzealous
Like many young celebrities, Zendaya has an extremely passionate social media fanbase that heavily promotes and defends her online. While most behave respectfully, a minority of overzealous young fans can show tribalistic fandom and gatekeep, aggravating others.
This small toxic sect of her fanbase who attack dissenting opinions may indirectly fuel resentment from those who feel it turns objective discussion about her talents into a battlefield.
Why Do People Like Zendaya?
While some criticize her abilities, many believe the criticism comes from bias and racism towards black actors. Her talents encompass singing, dancing and acting across TV, theater and film.
Her 2019 Emmy for Euphoria proved skeptics wrong about her acting chops. Fans feel she has raw talent deserving of praise and that her vocal range, rhythmic abilities and emotional acting captivate audiences.
Bold, Unapologetic Advocate for Social Causes
Rather than finding her outspokenness on race, mental health and politics preachy, fans feel Zendaya uses her platform positively to advocate for social justice, diversity and mental wellness causes.
She also openly discusses her own insecurities and flaws, coming across as authentic about issues facing young people today. These unfiltered, provocative stances resonate with her fanbase instead of alienating them.
Fashion Icon and Trendsetter
Fans see her often avant-garde, experimental fashion choices as inspiring self-confidence in young people to embrace their own style. She takes risks that pay off, elevating her as a fashion inspiration rather than criticisms of “trying too hard.”
Her Met Gala Cinderella gown and other looks that channel black culture are bold statements that admirers love rather than perceiving as too controversial or attention-seeking.
Relatable Personality Endears Her
Despite being an uber-famous celebrity, Zendaya comes across as down-to-earth and humble during candid interviews and fan interactions. Her quirky sense of humor and willingness to seem vulnerable discussing personal struggles makes her relatable to everyday people.
Fans feel she’s an authentic role model who uses fame and wealth for good rather than looking down on regular people, endearing her to them rather than seeing her presence as “holier-than-thou”.
Conclusion
In the end, both the dislike and admiration for Zendaya often comes down to perception of her authenticity. Supporters see her success, outspokenness and bold style choices as genuine self-expression from someone wise and talented beyond her years.
Detractors perceive those same traits as calculated decisions by someone too naive or power-hungry to deserve such sudden fame. But at just 26 years old in 2023, Zendaya’s still early in her career.
Regardless of current public opinion, she shows no signs of slowing her rapid trajectory to even greater fame. So people will likely continue debating whether she’s the real deal or just manufactured hype.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Disliking Zendaya
Is racism involved in some of the Zendaya dislike?
Yes, some critics likely hold implicit or explicit racial bias towards black entertainers like Zendaya. Doubts about her talent level, sense she’s “overhyped” and other dislike feeds off racism in entertainment towards black actors, especially young women.
Do people dislike her activism and outspokenness on issues?
Yes, some perceive her outspoken perspectives on race, politics, mental health etc. at a young age as too preachy, privileged or out-of-touch. They believe she tries too hard to be “woke” or socially-conscious for attention.
Do people really think she’s a bad actress or untalented?
Some critics genuinely believe she lacks talents as a singer, dancer and actress. But these takes often underestimate the difficulty of her acclaimed roles and ignore her Emmy demonstrating superb acting ability.
Most unbiased critics agree she has real artistic talents continuing to grow, even if inconsistency comes from starting so young.
Where does Zendaya-hate manifest itself online?
Most hostility emerges on social media sites like Twitter and in YouTube comments/videos. Race-related controversies also flare up periodically on entertainment sites and blogs. But a small minority of fans also overhype her in ways that can alienate.
Does she ever respond to people disliking her?
Zendaya focuses most interviews on all the social good she hopes to do with her fame rather than responding to critics or haters. The harshest critiques likely stem at least partly from bias, so responding often gives them unearned legitimacy.
