Actress Zendaya‘s Black half-sister says the “Euphoria” star slammed the door on their relationship. Latonja Coleman, 51, shares a father, Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, with Zendaya, 28.
In an interview with The US Sun, Latonja says she has only seen Zendaya twice in the past seven years. Latonja says Zendaya isn’t as kind and sweet as she was in her early Disney days.
Latonja blames their father for their distant relationship.
“I tried to get in touch with Zendaya when I was diagnosed with cancer, but [Kazembe] slammed the door on me,” Latonja stated. “I went through cancer and chemotherapy all by myself with no help, no support.”
Latonja’s mother is Kazembe’s high school sweetheart Michelle Mackintosh, who is Black. Zendaya is biracial — the only child of a white teacher named Claire Stoermer.
Latonja claimed Zendaya treats her like “the black sheep of the family.” She added that she was treated like “a fan” during her last encounter with her sister in January at a funeral for their paternal grandmother.
“When I tried to talk to her, she just gave me a one-arm hug. It felt like I was just a fan,” Latonja said. Their encounter at the homegoing was their first meeting since Thanksgiving 2018.
As the oldest child, Latonja said she was excluded from family functions while Zendaya maintains close bonds with her other half-siblings and their children.
“Zendaya is very active with my other sister and brother’s kids,” Latonja explained, “but my grandkids don’t even know her. They think she’s just from the Disney Channel.”
Latonja has met her future brother-in-law Tom Holland. Zendaya and Tom, 28, are engaged to be married.
“He’s down to earth and my family likes him. They just look like an odd couple because he’s so short and she’s so tall. But other than that, I think he’s the one for her,” Latonja said.
