Born and raised in Oakland, California, Zendaya began her career as a child model and backup dancer. She made her television debut as Rocky Blue in the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up (2010–2013) and starred as the titular character in the channel's sitcom K.C. Undercover (2015–2018). Her feature film debut came in 2017 as MJ in the superhero film Spider-Man: Homecoming; she later reprised her role in its sequels Far from Home (2019) and No Way Home (2021). Zendaya's role as Rue Bennett, a str