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arts & entertainment Zendaya, The “shake It up!” By kam Williams Special to The Skanner News B orn in Oakland, Ca., on Sept. 1, 1996, Zendaya grew up around the California Shakespeare Theater in nearby Orinda, where her mother worked as the house manager. In addition to training at the theater company’s student conservatory program, and later performing in numerous stage productions, she helped her mom seat patrons and sell raffle tickets to benefit the organ i zation. While attending the Oakland School for the Arts, Zendaya starred as a young Ti Moune in “Once on This Island” at the Berkeley Playhouse before enjoy- ing her breakout role as the male character Joe in “Caroline, or Change” at Palo Alto’s TheatreWorks. She subsequently honed her craft at both the California Shakespeare Conservatory program and the American Conservatory Theater, adding such classics by the Bard of Avon as “Richard III,” “Twelfth Night” and “As You Like It” to her stage credits. Zendaya, by the way, means “to give thanks” in Shona, a Bantu language native to Zimbabwe. Besides acting, the versatile young talent has served as a fash- ion model for Macy’s, Mervyns and Old Navy, and as one of the back-up dancers in a Sears com- mercial featuring Selena Gomez. Zendaya currently resides in Los Angeles with her family and Midnight , her pet Giant Schnauzer, and her interests include singing, dancing and clothes designing. Here, she talks about “Shake It Up!” her hit Disney Channel sitcom where she co-stars opposite Bella Thorne as Raquel “Rocky” Blue, half of a comedic duo trying to dance their way to superstardom. kam Williams: Hi Zendaya, thanks for the interview. Zendaya: No, thank you, Kam. It is my pleasure. kW: What interested you in Shake It Up? Z: Well, I would say that Shake It Up was a chance for me to do two things I really love: acting and dancing. kW: Tell me a little about the show? Z: It’s a buddy comedy based around dance. It’s about two best friends Rocky and CeCe who live out their dream as background dancers on a show called Shake It Up Chicago. They have to navi- gate life as young teens going to school and dancing on the show. kW: How would you describe your character, Rocky? Z: Rocky is such a sweet girl. She really cares for people and always wants to help her do outside of the arts. My answer would be sports. I was actually supposed to be a basketball play- er, not an actress. My parents had me playing basketball on compet- itive teams when I was in kinder- garten. Even though my heart belongs to the arts, I’m a tomboy at heart, too. kW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid? Z: Yes! I am scared of spiders! And I still get a little afraid every time I have to do something new or have to get out in front of a big crowd. The first time I sang “Swag It Out” live, I was really scared. kW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy? Z: Yes, I am. This is my dream, truly. I grew up watch- ing “That’s So Raven” and “Lizzie McGuire,” and I said to myself that I could do that one day, and here I am. This is a dream come true and I am just ecstatic to be here living out my childhood dreams. kW: The Teri Emerson ques- tion: When was the last time you at heart, but I love pop music as had a good laugh? Z: Just yesterday I was dying well, and I even have an affinity for country music. So I would say my laughing with my niece who is music might have something for staying with me this summer. We have so much fun together! everyone. kW: What is your guiltiest kW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish some- pleasure? Z: Oh, it’s Haagen Dasz ice one would? cream, coffee flavor. It makes me Z: I’m never asked what I love to feel so much better when I am upset and even happier when I am perfectly happy Caldwell’s, Hennessey, Goetsch already. & McGee Funeral Home kW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was Von D. Bailey the last book you read? Funeral Director Z: I am reading the book that I just did a book trailer 20 NE 14th Avenue for...it’s called “From Bad Portland, OR 97232 to Cursed.” It’s really creepy 503-232-4111 and good. friends. She is a very good student who really works hard, and she is a dedicated friend to CeCe who often talks her into doing things they shouldn’t. Rocky is a bit more shy and unsure of herself, and sometimes does more following than she should. kW: What message would you say the show is trying to deliver? Z: Shake It Up defi- nitely teaches kids about the impor- tance of reaching for your dreams and setting high goals. It also teaches great lessons about friendship and family. kW: What do you enjoy the most: acting, singing, dancing or modeling? Z: Wow! I couldn’t choose between all of those things! I looooove acting and dancing on Shake It Up, and I am currently in the recording studio working on my music. And one of my dreams is to walk down the runway dur- ing fashion week! kW: When is your debut album being released, and what type of music is on it? Z: Well, I am not sure of when my album will be released but my music has a lot of different sounds. I’m a hip-hop/R&B girl We honor the many accomplishments of African Americans. It is our primary goal as a labor union to better the lives of all people working in the building trades through advocacy, civil demonstration, and the long-held belief that work- ers deserve a "family wage" - fair pay for an honest day's work. A family wage, and the benefits that go with it, not only strength- ens families, but also allows our communities to become stronger, more cohesive, and more responsive to their citizens' needs. Our family wage agenda reflects our commitment to people working in the building trades, and to workers everywhere. In this small way, we are doing our part to help people achieve the American Dream. This dream that workers can hold dear regard- less of race, color, national origin, gender, creed, or religious beliefs. The Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters Representing more than 5.000 construction workers in Oregon State. Do you want to know more about becoming a Union carpenter? Page 6 The Portland Skanner august 31, 2011 Interview Fax 503-231-1586 von.bailey@sci-us.com Read the rest online at www.theskanner.com
