Zendaya, a name that shines brightly in Hollywood today, is best known for her role as MJ in the MCU’s Spider-Man series, and her powerful performance in HBO’s *Euphoria*. However, her journey to stardom wasn’t always smooth. Before she joined forces with Tom Holland in the Spider-Man franchise, Zendaya tirelessly pursued a role in another beloved Disney franchise but never got her big break there.
Before winning the hearts of Marvel fans worldwide, Zendaya auditioned multiple times for Disney Channel’s popular *Descendants* franchise. Cornelia Frame, the former VP of Casting at Disney Channel, shared on the Magical Rewind podcast that Zendaya really wanted to be part of the *Descendants* universe. Despite her relentless efforts, it “just ended up not going her way.”
Zendaya’s persistence was not without merit. She had already made a name for herself on the Disney Channel with her roles in *Shake It Up* and *K.C. Undercover*. Her long-standing association with Disney made her interest in *Descendants* quite understandable. Yet, the roles just seemed to elude her, no matter how many times she auditioned.
Everything changed when Zendaya was cast as MJ in the Spider-Man franchise reboot. Interestingly, producer Amy Pascal revealed that neither she nor Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige knew about Zendaya’s previous fame when they cast her. Pascal admitted that they were looking for someone with her unique presence and, as soon as they met her, they knew she was perfect for the role. This serendipitous casting ended up being a game-changer, propelling Zendaya into the spotlight on an even grander scale.
Pascal later acknowledged that she and Feige felt “really stupid” for not realizing Zendaya’s existing fanbase, but her successful portrayal of MJ proved that the decision to cast her was spot on. Zendaya’s journey from rejected auditions to becoming one of the most acclaimed young actresses is a testament to her tenacity and talent.
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Source: FandomWire
