Zendaya marks 30th birthday with rare throwback photo: ‘So much to look forward to’

Zendaya thanked fans for making her final year in her 20s special and shared her excitement and gratitude as she welcomed 30
Zendaya celebrated her 30th birthday with a sweet post, while mother Claire Stoermer shared a childhood photo as fans celebrated the actress (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Zendaya celebrated her 30th birthday with a sweet post, while mother Claire Stoermer shared a childhood photo as fans celebrated the actress (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Zendaya has officially entered her 30s. The actress celebrated her birthday on Tuesday, September 1, and shared a sweet post thanking everyone for their wishes.

Her mother, Claire Stoermer, also marked the milestone with an unseen photo of a young Zendaya. While fans and celebrities flooded social media with birthday wishes, attention is also on Tom Holland to see how he celebrates his wife’s first birthday since their marriage.

Actor Zendaya attends a
Actor Zendaya attends a 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' fan event in Berlin, Germany, Monday, June 22, 2026 (Christoph Soeder/dpa via AP)

Zendaya celebrates 30th birthday with throwback photo

The ‘Odyssey’ actress made sure her birthday post was both memorable and eye-catching. Zendaya opted for a throwback photo in which she wore a pink sleeveless top, purple plaid pants, denim, and her hair styled in two ponytails.

“I can’t thank ya’ll enough for making the last year of my twenties so beautiful, I have so much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to, with love as always... here’s to 30!!!!!” she wrote in the caption.

Zendaya’s mom, Claire Stoermer, also celebrated her daughter’s milestone with a heartfelt social media post.

“Happy 30th birthday to the love and light of my life!! Even tho you’re not on socials anymore, and you won’t see this!!” Stoermer, 62, captioned the post.

Stoermer wrapped up her birthday message with one more detail: “we just got off facetime!!” She also shared a childhood photo of Zendaya wearing a blue floral dress and standing near a wooden play area.

Zendaya shares special bond with mother Claire Stoermer

Born on September 1, 1996, Zendaya is the daughter of Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman.

Her parents divorced in 2016 after eight years of marriage. She is the youngest of their children and has five older half-siblings from her father’s side.

Zendaya has always shared a special bond with her mother and has often spoken about the important role Stoermer played in her life. “Growing up, I watched my mom teach in the heart of Oakland, Calif., at inner-city schools that were always underfunded,” Zendaya told Teen Vogue in 2016. 

Zendaya poses for photographers at the fan event for the film
Zendaya poses for photographers at the fan event for the film 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' in Paris, France, Wednesday, June 24, 2026 (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

“My mom went above and beyond, working constantly to open her students’ eyes to an education that could lift them far beyond their current circumstances.” Speaking to Vanity Fair in 2019, Zendaya explained how her mother’s natural approach to beauty shaped her own perspective.

“My beauty icons are the women in my life. My mom didn’t wear makeup; I don’t think she knew that to me, it was empowering that she didn’t care,” she added.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

The country legend will be honored alongside two more posthumous recipients of the chamber’s icon awards
3 hours ago
 However, Matt Damon also offered a solution, which may sound simple but could be easier said than done
3 hours ago
Sandra Bullock said she left the Oscars after the afterparty because she wanted to get home to her secret newborn son, Louis
5 hours ago
Stella Parton revealed that Dolly Parton believed she would reunite with their parents and had kept her cancer diagnosis private
5 hours ago
Stella Parton said Dolly Parton worked too hard and neglected her health while caring for Carl Dean, whose condition broke her heart
7 hours ago
Nicole Kidman recalled feeling 'so lonely' despite her Oscar win, saying the moment made her realize, 'I’ve got to get a life'
7 hours ago
Gisele Bundchen welcomed her third child, a son, in February 2025 with her husband, Joaquim Valente
8 hours ago
Cody Walker said existing footage could help recreate Brian O’Conner, while praising how the character’s story ended
8 hours ago
Brandon Thomas received love and blessings from parents Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee after announcing his engagement.
1 day ago
Gina Rodriguez said Brandi Glanville has battled multiple illnesses for three years and needs months of IV treatment and surgery for a fungal ball
1 day ago