Who is Kazembe Ajamu Coleman? Everything to know about Zendaya's father amid Tom Holland engagement reports

Actors Zendaya and Tom Holland reportedly got engaged during the holiday season. On Monday, January 6, 2024, TMZ, citing "sources close to the couple," reported that Tom took his girlfriend's dad, Kazembe Ajamu Coleman's blessing "months" before the alleged proposal.

On Sunday, the actress stunned the Golden Globes 2025 red carpet in her custom burnt orange Louis Vuitton gown, paired with Bulgari accessories. However, fans noticed a ring on her engagement finger that was not part of the Bulgari set, sparking rumors of an engagement.

Amid the claims, TMZ reported that Holland, being very traditional, thought it was important to ask Zendaya's parents, Kazembe and Claire Stoermer, for permission. Additionally, the actress' family loved Tom. The actor allegedly proposed in one of his girlfriend's family homes in the U.S. sometime between Christmas and New Year's.

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Kazembe Ajamu Coleman has taken up the role of Zendaya's manager in recent years

According to an article by Parade, Zendaya's father was born Samuel David Coleman, but he changed his name to Kazembe Ajamu in honor of his Nigerian roots. He initially worked as a teacher but took up the role of his daughter's manager in recent years.

In a 2017 interview with Glamour, Zendaya explained that her father quit his teaching job to help support her dream of becoming an actress.

"I was basically like, ‘I want to do this,’ and my dad quit his job as a teacher to make it happen," she said.

In an October 2014 interview with Us Weekly, the actress explained that owing to her parents' background (Claire Stoermer is a school teacher) in education, she "always had to take school very seriously" growing up. She revealed she once failed a spelling test in 2nd grade and got into a "lot of trouble."

Per People Magazine, Kazembe married his long-time partner Claire in 2008 when Zendaya was 12 (the only child they share). Kazembe was previously married and has five older children—three sisters, Katianna, Annabella, and Kaylee, and two brothers, Austin and Julien.

The Challengers star has credited her family for keeping her grounded. In a 2015 interview for TIME magazine, she explained:

"I look up to my big sister and realize the influence she's had on me and making me a better person, before adding, "Having such a big, grounded family, I realized as you get older how important that is."

Claire filed for a divorce in 2016. At the time, the actress addressed speculations surrounding her parent's relationship in an X post, writing:

"My parents ain't been together for a long time, y'all didn't know cause we private+they still homies #lateassnews."

Kazembe is very protective of his youngest daughter, especially when it comes to her love life. Citing her Essence's Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon in 2016, People magazine wrote:

"My dad is going to vet any guy that even looks at me."

The former Disney child star had frequently expressed her gratitude to her parents. During her 2016 appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, she noted that they instilled in her "core values" that she has carried through everything.

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Neither Tom Holland nor Zendaya has confirmed the engagement rumors.