Role Model Zendaya Gets Real About Miley Cyrus

(Photo: Complex magazine)

Zendaya is a perfectionist, someone who strives to be a role model, and does an impressive job, as she proved earlier this year after Giuliana Rancic made a comment about her dreadlocks at the Oscars and Zendaya’s own decision last year to drop out of a controversial movie about the life of Aaliyah.

That’s probably why the current Disney darling didn’t hesitate to come to former Disney star Miley Cyrus’s defense when asked about her much criticized transition from clean-cut Hannah Montana to wild woman in no time flat.

“A lot of them were forced into being role models and they had to pretend to be something that they didn’t feel matched up with who they were,” Zendaya, 19, says in a new interview with Complex magazine. “And that’s because they started really, really young. So you’ve got to realize when you’re really young you don’t know who you are yet. And as soon as you figure it out, you’ve already been forced to become something that you didn’t really know you signed up for. So it’s like, I get it. There’s a lot of pressure, so I completely understand. Everyone has their different ways of learning and growing and finding out who they are, and you can’t fault people for that. Again, I think with all the prior Disney stars, at least you can say they are themselves now."

Related: Zendaya: If You’re Not Comfortable With Yourself, Don’t Go On the Internet

That said, Zendaya insists that her genuine self will not be having any scandalous moments like some of her peers. The self-proclaimed perfectionist strives to be an example.

"I think it’s a responsibility,” she says, “but like Tupac Shakur, I’m a real model. Which means: I’m not pretending to be something that I’m not, because like he said, people are going to be disappointed when they find out who you are, because it’s not going to be what you presented to the world. So just keep it real. I’m a good kid and that’s all.”

So, there’s not going to be a day when we see Zendaya twerking across the stage at an awards show … or much worse?

“No. That’s why I said, in order to avoid those problems just be yourself from the beginning and be honest with the world, because that’s the only thing you can do,” Zendaya confirms. “There will be no surprises."

Although she’s young, Zendaya speaks with confidence that she attributes to knowing her roots.

"You get the best and the worst of both worlds [growing up biracial],” says the Oakland, California native. “I know there were a lot of times when you try to figure out where you fit in. I just realized that it worked to my advantage because I just got along with a lot of people. But to literally be two races, it’s really hard to see color because I’m the gray area. I had to learn about both sides of myself and be really proud of and educated in both. I think that’s why I’m comfortable with myself and can speak on certain issues because I’ve taken the time, or my parents have taken the time, to teach me who I am."

(Photo: Complex magazine)

Related: Zendaya Calls Out Magazine for Being Photoshopped

However, the K.C. Undercover star confesses this wasn’t always the case. She felt "maybe a little bit” out of place at one time.

“I went to a predominantly white private school in the [Oakland] Hills where my dad was a teacher, and then I went to a school in downtown Oakland that was predominantly black. It was interesting to learn and see the differences, but I also realized how easy it was for me to adapt to both. I’m proud of both and I can fit into any kind of scenario or situation."

Zendaya also explains why she felt it was important to call out Rancic for commenting that the teen looked like she’d smell of patchouli and weed because of her dreadlocks on an episode of Fashion Police back in February. After Zendaya objected to the comment on social media, Rancic issued an on-air apology, which Zendaya accepted in a beautifully written statement. Now nine months out from the controversy, Zendaya notes the response to it has been "only positive."

(Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

"It was a learning experience for myself and for everyone who read it,” Zendaya says. “A lot of people don’t realize that hair is a big thing for a lot of people, not just African-American women. It’s something to be aware of and to be cautious of. So it was something that I really felt like I should speak on. There were so many women, of all races, that came up to me and were like, ‘I really love what you said,’ or 'I had my daughter read that.’"

Obviously, the issue is very personal for Zendaya.

"All my brothers and my dad at one point had dreadlocks. My little nieces have curly hair. And if they were to have someone say something demeaning about what they have and what they hold dear to them, then I would want them to at least have the pride within themselves to come up with a response that made sense and that they were proud of,” Zendaya explains. “Honestly, I think about my little nieces and my little nephews first. Because one day they’re going to have Twitter and they’re going to have Instagram, and I’m going to be like, 'This is how you handle it, kids.’"

By then, Zendaya will surely be closer to her goal of having the career of "Oprah plus Beyoncé plus Shonda Rhimes.”