Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, known mononymously as Zendaya, is an American actress and singer. She began her career as a child model and backup dancer, before gaining prominence for her role as Rocky Blue on the Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up (2010–2013). Zendaya has since expanded into film, starring as MJ in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) and its sequels Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), as well as in The Greatest Showman (2017) as trapeze artist Anne Wheeler.
Zendaya is also known for adopting a vegetarian diet at a young age and advocating for animal rights. However, there has been some speculation in recent years over whether she still follows a meat-free diet. Here is an in-depth look at Zendaya’s history with vegetarianism and an analysis of the evidence regarding her current dietary habits.
Zendaya’s History with Vegetarianism
Zendaya was raised as a vegetarian by her parents. In a 2013 interview, she shared that she had never eaten meat in her life up to that point. She cited ethical reasons for her vegetarianism, saying she did not believe in killing animals for food. Zendaya called herself an “animal lover to the fullest” and said she adopted rescue dogs.
The Disney star stuck to her vegetarian principles as she rose to fame. She used her platform to advocate against animal testing and to promote vegan fashion brands like Eco-Kashmere. Zendaya also partnered with Convoy of Hope in 2016 to hand out vegan meals to homeless youth in Los Angeles.
In a 2017 Vogue cover story, Zendaya stated she had been vegetarian for her entire life. She also avoided wearing leather and fur or using other animal products in her fashion choices. Zendaya said her compassion for animals came from being raised in a household with many rescue pets.
Evidence of Zendaya’s Current Dietary Habits
In recent years, there have been signs that Zendaya may no longer follow a strict vegetarian diet. Here are some key pieces of evidence regarding her current eating habits:
1. Seafood Consumption
There have been multiple reports of Zendaya eating seafood in the past few years. In 2017, she was seen dining on fish at a Boston restaurant. Zendaya was also spotted eating shrimp while on vacation in Italy in 2019.
Consuming seafood and fish would contradict a vegetarian diet, which avoids all meat. This suggests Zendaya may now identify as a pescatarian, a semi-vegetarian diet that includes fish and seafood but avoids other meats.
2. Ordering Meat Dishes
In addition to seafood, Zendaya has allegedly ordered meat-based dishes at restaurants in recent years. For example, in 2018 she was seen eating chicken fingers and burgers during a meal with her Spider-Man co-star Tom Holland.
There have also been claims that Zendaya ate steak, bacon, and other meat products while dining out, indicating she may now follow a flexitarian or semi-vegetarian diet rather than a fully meat-free one.
3. Wearing Leather
Whereas Zendaya used to avoid all animal products in her fashion choices, she has gradually become more open to wearing leather over the past few years. This includes leather jackets, shoes, purses, and other accessories.
While some vegetarians do opt to wear leather, this change further suggests Zendaya may have relaxed her restrictions on using animal products, including in her diet.
4. Ambiguous Statements
When directly asked about her current diet, Zendaya has given ambiguous responses in recent interviews. In 2018, she stated she “tries” to be vegetarian but sometimes eats meat. And in 2020, Zendaya said she was “essentially vegetarian” but was not strict about it.
These types of statements imply Zendaya may now identify as a flexitarian or semi-vegetarian rather than a full vegetarian. She eats mostly plant-based foods but occasionally includes meat or seafood in her diet.
Zendaya’s Explanations
While Zendaya has not provided an in-depth explanation for moving away from vegetarianism, she has shared some insights into her changing views:
- She has indicated it is difficult to maintain a vegetarian or vegan diet while busy with her acting career.
- Zendaya has said she still cares deeply about animal rights but just has a more “realistic mindset” compared to when she was younger.
- She has cited health reasons for occasionally eating fish and meat, such as getting more protein while filming intense Spider-Man action sequences.
Zendaya has defended her choice not to strictly follow a vegetarian diet anymore, saying she still hopes to inspire others to limit their meat consumption and support animal welfare when possible.
What Experts Say
Nutrition experts who have commented on Zendaya’s dietary changes say her flexible approach makes sense given her demanding career. Here are some key points:
- Maintaining a healthy vegetarian/vegan diet requires effort – it can be challenging with Zendaya’s work schedule.
- Occasionally eating meat and seafood provides important nutrients like protein, iron, zinc and B12.
- A semi-vegetarian or flexitarian diet can still have significant health and ethical benefits compared to eating meat regularly.
Overall, experts commend Zendaya for promoting vegetarianism and animal rights, even if she is no longer as strict about avoiding all meat. Her more flexible diet is realistic given her lifestyle while still being ethically and nutritionally sound.
Zendaya’s Impact
While she may no longer identify as a full vegetarian, Zendaya has undoubtedly made a positive impact by advocating for more plant-based and ethical eating choices. Her influence as a celebrity has led many fans to reduce their meat consumption, become vegetarian/vegan, or support animal welfare in other ways.
Zendaya showing that imperfect vegetarianism or a mostly plant-based diet is still worthwhile can also motivate others to make more compassionate and eco-friendly dietary choices. Her journey serves as an example that any step toward eating less meat can make a difference.
Conclusion
Based on all available evidence, Zendaya appears to now follow a semi-vegetarian or flexitarian diet rather than being fully vegetarian. She occasionally eats seafood, poultry and meat, primarily for health reasons given the demands of her career. However, Zendaya still advocates for animal rights and eats mostly plant-based foods. Despite no longer identifying as vegetarian, she continues to have a positive influence regarding compassionate and sustainable eating habits.