What makes Zendaya a Gen Z idol?

"Dune 2" is hitting the big screens real soon, and the cast is jetting off to premieres all across the globe. The star everyone's buzzing about?

Zendaya.

She turned heads with her killer style at the London Premiere, sparking chatter worldwide.

Her cool, laid-back vibe fits right in with the world of Dune, reaffirming her status as a Gen Z superstar. Her red carpet looks for "Dune 2" are a bold display of her attitude - to the film, her fans, and the world. But let's shift gears a bit. I want to delve into Zendaya's magnetic charm. She might not have the biggest social media following or the fattest bank account, but when you talk about Gen Z's favorite idols, Zendaya's name is definitely in the mix.

Why? What's with Gen Z's love for Zendaya?

For Zendaya fans, they can rattle off a bunch of reasons why they adore her - her talent, her kindness, her confidence, her positive vibes, you name it.

I get all that. But from a sociological angle, why Zendaya?

I think her popularity is a reflection of Gen Z's interests and a snapshot of Hollywood's current culture.

Personally, Zendaya started off as a child star and had a solid fan base. But transitioning from a child star to a youth idol isn't a walk in the park. For Zendaya, two big-hitters were pivotal in her transformation: "Euphoria" and the rebooted "Spider-Man".

One's a gritty tale of teen drug abuse, the other's about a teen superhero. Both made waves among the younger crowd and had global reach. As the star of both, Zendaya got a ton of exposure and racked up a hefty fan base.

But in my eyes, that's not why Zendaya's an idol. Sure, every era has its iconic movies and TV shows, but not every lead can become a symbol. What sets Zendaya apart is her knack for letting fans get to know her, the real her, not just her characters, through her clear and positive self-expression.

Expressing yourself online ain't a walk in the park, especially if you're a celeb. Trolls and haters come with the territory, and they hit young female stars the hardest. But when Zendaya gets a nasty comment, she doesn't duck and cover. Nope, she stands tall and fights back. Her fans dig that about her.

Remember when a troll said Zendaya's shoes must stink? She took them off, sniffed them, and said they smelled like success! That's how you handle haters.

Loads of stars get flak online, and they all react in their own ways. But Zendaya's different. She doesn't get all upset or just blow it off. She comes back strong and happy. That's the kind of Self Positive vibe young folks are all about these days.

We all know what Self Positive means, but how do you live it? Zendaya's got it figured out. She's a champion of Body Positive and calls out Hollywood's clichéd female roles. She's a feminist force against body shaming and the objectification of women.

As a woman of color, she's proud of her roots. She's active in social causes like "Black Lives Matter" and speaks out against racism.

Gen Z cares about politics, but they approach it their own way. They're not into the old-school political talk. They want stars like Zendaya who get them and who can tackle social issues like an adult while stating their political views.

And let's not forget her fashion game. Zendaya's style is on point. She's beloved in the fashion world and her looks are a unique blend of beauty, with a model-like figure, wheat-colored skin, and standout features. Her style isn't just about looking good, it's fun and interesting too. I first noticed her when I saw her outfit at the Met Gala.

Alright, let's talk about the fashion world. It's a mess, ruled by money and the male gaze. As much as we champion Body Positivity, we can't ignore how the fashion industry makes women super conscious about their looks. It feels like this industry is a tool used by neoliberalism to make women accept being objectified while entering consumer society. The standards of "beauty" they propagate are so intense that celebrities can only rebel by completely defying them. Most of the time, they just compromise, and try to show a little 'rebellion' through their fashion choices.

Now, Zendaya? She's not about rebellion. Her fashion sense? Confidence and fun. Hollywood is totally cool with that. And she's not one to rebel against Hollywood. Remember, she was part of Disney productions before she was even an adult and she's still tight with the studio. That's why she's one of the few Disney kids who didn't end up in some scandals.

For us millennials, becoming an idol means showing amazing talent while bearing loads of pressure, finding balance after going through a bunch of hard times. "Rebellion" was kind of a rite of passage for us. It felt like we could only understand an idol's soul through their pain. Just look at Taylor and Miley.

But Gen Z? They don't need all that pain and rebellion. An awful childhood, terrible parents, messy love life? Not the common traits of Gen Z superstars. They admire being self-aware and caring about the world, just like Zendaya. From an American point of view, she's a pretty solid idol. She's chill, fun, and handles haters and media pressures in the internet era like a pro. Zendaya’s got strong family ties, a stable and public relationship, and she's all about self-love.

Long story short, she's the kind of "mix" Hollywood needs right now. She's the Gen Z American dream.

It feels like Zendaya carries the hopes and dreams of Gen Z women.

And what does the younger generation want at the end of the day? It's simple:

Be yourself, be loved, and do something that matters.