We all have to start somewhere and our small beginnings don’t have to dictate where we’ll end up. Our individual journeys will look different. We may have some people who try to turn us down or knock us off course. Ultimately it’s up to us to know our worth, and act accordingly, in the face of doubt, uncertainty, and opposition.
Zendaya’s Small Beginnings
Zendaya and Law Roach have been a dynamic duo since 2011. Back in those days, Zendaya was a Disney Channel star making waves on “Shake it Up” and had already been a Kidz Bop Kid and background dancer. I was still a teenager in 2011 and Disney Channel had (in my humble opinion) left it’s golden era. Who could ever replicate the “Cheetah Girls”? “Hannah Montana” had already revealed her true identity and “High School Musical” felt like a very distant memory. To sum it up, I was already leaving Disney Channel behind and, like many others, I wasn’t exactly tuned into this new wave of stars. I imagine that’s how a lot of people felt having a young Zendaya in the mix, but you can never guess where someone will end up just because of where they start. One person’s opinion doesn’t dictate someone else’s trajectory or potential.
Zendaya has never been one to shy away from her small beginnings and it’s pretty clear that all of her hard work and dedication has served her well. She eventually left Disney Channel in 2018 and by then was already on her way to being recognized for her talents and abilities as a serious actress. Now we know Zendaya as a fashion icon, Met Gala showstopper, youngest Emmy Award winner, and one of the most prolific movie starlets of our time. She didn’t get there on her own though and when Law Roach entered the scene, her career would be forever changed.
The Beginnings of a Dynamic Duo
Law Roach and Zendaya’s relationship began in 2011. Law Roach was originally a friend of Zendaya’s father and manager, Kazembe Coleman. He got his start selling vintage clothing at Deliciously Vintage Boutique in Chicago. His name was skyrocketed when Kanye West went shopping at his storefront in 2009. The effect was similar to Beyonce deciding to rock a silver TELFAR bag and quickly causing the site to crash. After he found success, he moved to Los Angeles to take on the fashion industry as a stylist. There he would take on Zendaya as his first big client.
Law Roach describes Zendaya as a sister. His loyalty to Zendaya is evident in the way she shines on the red carpet. Even with his announced retirement in 2023, it didn’t seem like he had any plans of moving on from their relationship. What he truly wanted was the opportunity to define success on his own terms and to break free from the expectations that others in his industry had for him. He wanted to start receiving the time and consideration that he had given to so many others. This dynamic duo has a solid relationship and mutual respect for one another. They each see each other’s potential and actively invest in their success. Their rise in the fashion and movie industry isn’t by chance or coincidence.
The Pinky Promise That Shook the World
Recently, a lot of conversation has taken place surrounding Zendaya and Law Roach’s pinky promise and what a no to a rising star could mean for someone else’s future. At the beginning of their relationship, Law Roach promised that he would do everything in his power to get a 14-year old Zendaya to the next level of stardom if she would take him with her.
If we consider the Zendaya of today, it’s almost outrageous that these brands would say no to her. With the success of Dune and Challengers it’s a wonder that anyone would say no to the chance to work with her.
Proving your worth and value to yourself will always matter more than trying to gain favor from people who wouldn’t even give you a second look. There’s no need to humble yourself when you fully know who you are. The irony of moving past your own limitations and growing into a new person is that there will still be others who expect you to lean into old habits and patterns that no longer serve you. This often takes place regardless of any newfound success that you may experience.
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When Choosing Yourself Means Saying No
Law Roach is very vocal about his unapologetic nature and confidence in himself. This is the same confidence he infuses into his clients. You can’t become the best to ever do it without a strong sense of self or the audacity to move towards your calling in the face of any unknowns or uncertainties that are in front of you. In an interview by Mickalene Thomas for Paper Magazine, Law Roach is quoted as saying, “‘…I have no fear. I have no fear of success. I have no fear of failure. It’s powerful just to walk through life with no fear, because fear is what holds you back.'”
It’s this same type of fearlessness that is needed to say no to big names like Saint Laurent, Chanel, Gucci, Valentino, and Dior. I can imagine that the same people who rejected Zendaya and Law Roach are wishing that they would have had a chance to work. Saying no may inconvenience others. It may not put you in the best light and it may even hurt some feelings. Remember that you get to decide who you will give your time and energy to.
Honoring Yourself and Knowing Your Worth
Your worth isn’t measured by how many people acknowledge or decide to take a chance on you. You are inherently worthy of achieving and experiencing good things in your life. You never know what could happen when you open yourself up to all that you are capable of doing. Zendaya and Law Roach are great examples of what could happen when you stay true to your vision and keep the promises that you make to yourself.
Having a solid support system and a strong belief in yourself could take you further than you ever imagined. It’s easy to compare yourself to celebrities and think that your own dreams are out of reach; however, those people aren’t any more worthy than you are. You can turn comparison into inspiration and take what works for you. Always maintain that belief in yourself no matter what and you may see your small beginnings turn into something beautiful.