We chat to rising Disney star Zendaya Coleman You probably know her mainly as Raquel 'Rocky' Blue from Disney Channel's latest comedy Shake It Up , but did you know that before going on the show Zendaya Coleman was a model? The 14-year-old actress was a successful fashion model for giant US department store Macy's and Old Navy, but then decided to follow her dream to become an actress instead. We decided to catch up with her and find out how she's finding it, and also what big plans she's got next! . Q: Zendaya, what made you want to be an actress? Zendaya: My mum started working at the California Shakespeare Theatre when I was two years old so I have grown up in an acting environment. I was there every night, ripping tickets and selling raffle tickets to the audience. Q: Wow, every night?! Did that ever get tiring? Zendaya: I used to beg my mum on school nights to let me watch the rehearsals. It was an outdoor theatre so it was freezing, and I'd sit there shivering at the back with my hot chocolate but I was so dedicated to it. I learned a lot just from watching the other actors and directors. Q: Did you find it hard to understand all of the stage directions and technical terms without any acting experience of your own? Zendaya: I knew all the technical terms at an early age and was always asking lots of questions. My friends