Zendaya is the New Face of CoverGirl for 2016

Shake It Up! star Zendaya had a huge year on 2015, as she became known for well beyond her looks and talents after standing up for herself and her culture when Giuliana Rancic made some remarks about her hair last year that came across as racist due to bad editing by Fashion Police staff. Zendaya's actions made her an outspoken superstar, even prompting Mattel to make a Barbie in her likeness, and now she's starting off 2016 as the new face of CoverGirl!

According to Today, CoverGirl announced this Thursday over social media that Zendaya would be joining the long list of superstars who have been ambassadors of the brand. Other ladies who have gone down the easy, breezy and beautiful path in the past include talk show hostesses Queen Latifah and Ellen DeGeneres besides a myriad of other artists from all sides of entertainment.

Right before Zendaya, pop star Katy Perry had been the ambassador for the brand since 2013.

The actress and singer, full name Zendaya Coleman, had teased a major announcement last Wednesday on social media, saying "something new, something beautiful" was approaching. Hours later, she revealed the classy and beautiful campaign.

 Meet your newest, easy...breezy beautiful...COVERGIRL Follow @covergirl for more

“Covergirl celebrates powerful, beautiful, and strong women of different races and ethnicities. It’s inspiring,” Zendaya told Teen Vogue about her new gig. “I’m thrilled to be part of the diversity and expansion of beauty.”

Zendaya has been an outspoken supporter of diversity in media. Famously, after appearing on last year’s Academy Awards ceremony, Fashion Police co-host Rancic said her dreadlocks had to smell like “patchouli oil or weed,” prompting a response from the singer that later became viral, as she said she wore her black hair proudly to show young girls out there that it was beautiful.
Her comments prompted Rancic to apologize and a whole discussion on the way race and fashion is discussed in the media, and Zendaya has turned into a major advocate for women ever since.

A photo posted by COVERGIRL (@covergirl) on Jan 21 2016 at 9:06 PST