Claire Stoermer: Zendaya’s Teacher Mom, Kizzmet Jewelry Founder, Cal Shakes Influence, Divorce, and Life in 2026

Claire Stoermer is an American educator, jewelry designer, former theater house manager, and the mother of actress Zendaya. Long before her daughter became an Emmy-winning global star, Claire was teaching children in Oakland and spending summers working at the California Shakespeare Theater, where a young Zendaya first became fascinated with the stage. Read more about Claire Stoermer and Zendaya’s family

In 2026, Claire remains much more private than her famous daughter.

She still runs her crystal-jewelry company, Kizzmet Jewelry, and continues appearing occasionally in family updates. Most recently, she celebrated Zendaya’s 30th birthday in September 2026 with a sweet childhood photo and message.

So who exactly is Claire Stoermer? How did she influence Zendaya’s career? What happened between her and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman? And what is she doing now?

Claire Stoermer Quick Bio

Santa Clara Magazine identifies Claire as a member of its Class of 1987, a former Bronco basketball player, longtime California Shakespeare Theater house manager and former Fruitvale Elementary School teacher.

Who Is Claire Stoermer?

Claire Stoermer is best known publicly as Zendaya’s mother, but education was the center of her life long before Hollywood entered the family.

She worked as a teacher in Oakland.

Zendaya has repeatedly described watching her mother work in underfunded inner-city schools and going far beyond normal classroom duties to introduce children to literature, nature and the arts.

Those memories had a huge impact on Zendaya.

The actress once said that if she had not become an entertainer, she could easily imagine becoming a teacher herself because of the example her mother set.

That tells us something important about Claire.

Her influence on Zendaya did not begin with auditions.

It began with education.

Claire Attended Santa Clara University

Claire graduated from Santa Clara University in 1987.

The university’s alumni magazine also notes something many Zendaya fans may not know: Claire played basketball there.

That athletic background makes her life more interesting than the simple description “Zendaya’s mom.”

She was a student-athlete.

Later she became a teacher.

Then a theater employee.

And eventually an entrepreneur.

Her career has moved through several different worlds without ever turning her into a traditional celebrity.

Claire Became a Teacher in Oakland

Claire spent years working in elementary education in the Oakland area.

Santa Clara Magazine specifically identified her with Fruitvale Elementary School.

Zendaya later recalled that her mother worked in schools that often lacked resources.

Instead of simply accepting those limitations, Claire found ways to give students broader experiences.

She introduced them to Shakespeare.

She exposed them to nature.

She pushed them to understand that education could open doors beyond their immediate surroundings.

Those values became part of Zendaya’s public personality too.

Even after becoming famous, Zendaya has frequently spoken about education, discipline and staying grounded.

Claire’s Theater Job Changed Zendaya’s Life

Claire also worked as a house manager at the California Shakespeare Theater, often known as Cal Shakes.

The job was originally something she took partly to help supplement the family’s income.

She ended up working there for around 12 summers.

Young Zendaya often came along.

She helped hand out programs.

She sold raffle tickets.

She watched rehearsals.

And she spent evenings sitting at the back of the theater watching Shakespeare.

Nobody could have known at the time that those summer nights were helping shape a future Emmy-winning actress.

Zendaya Was Originally a Very Shy Child

This may surprise people who only know Zendaya as a confident red-carpet star.

Claire has said her daughter was extremely quiet as a young child.

Zendaya was even asked to repeat kindergarten because she was so shy that she barely participated in class.

Theater helped change that.

Claire encouraged her daughter to join acting classes through Cal Shakes.

Once Zendaya got onstage, something clicked.

Claire later remembered seeing her daughter in the spotlight and realizing there was something special there.

That makes Claire’s theater job one of the most important accidents in Zendaya’s career.

Claire Did Not Simply Push Zendaya Into Fame

There is a difference between exposing a child to art and trying to manufacture a celebrity.

Claire appears to have done the first.

Zendaya grew naturally curious about theater because she was surrounded by it.

She eventually took classes, performed locally and attended the Oakland School for the Arts.

The family then made major sacrifices when Zendaya decided she wanted to pursue acting professionally.

Her father, Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, moved with her to Los Angeles while Claire remained working in Oakland.

That meant the family was sometimes separated physically to support the same goal.

Zendaya Has Always Praised Her Parents

Despite enormous fame, Zendaya has repeatedly credited both Claire and Kazembe for keeping her grounded.

In a widely quoted interview, she said she felt lucky to have parents who gave her strong core values and taught her what mattered.

That becomes more impressive when you remember how young Zendaya was when fame arrived.

She joined Disney Channel as a teenager.

Red carpets came quickly.

Money came quickly.

Attention came quickly.

Yet her public image remained unusually controlled compared with many former child stars.

Zendaya has often suggested that her parents deserve much of the credit.

Claire Influenced Zendaya’s Approach to Beauty

Claire also influenced something much more visible:

Zendaya’s attitude toward beauty.

Zendaya has said that her mother rarely wore makeup and that seeing that confidence had a powerful effect on her.

Claire apparently did not realize she was teaching a lesson.

She was simply comfortable being herself.

But for Zendaya, that became an example of natural confidence.

It helps explain why the actress can move from dramatic couture and elaborate red-carpet makeup to completely natural looks without seeming uncomfortable in either.

Who Is Zendaya’s Father?

Claire’s former husband is Kazembe Ajamu Coleman.

Like Claire, Kazembe originally worked as a teacher.

When Zendaya’s acting ambitions became serious, he left teaching and moved with her to Los Angeles so she could pursue auditions and professional work.

He later became closely involved in managing his daughter’s career.

Claire and Kazembe therefore played different roles.

Claire’s work helped introduce Zendaya to education and theater.

Kazembe eventually became the parent physically accompanying her into Hollywood.

Both contributed.

When Did Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Coleman Marry?

Claire and Kazembe married in 2008, when Zendaya was around 12 years old.

They had already been together for years and had welcomed Zendaya in 1996.

The couple remained married legally for about eight years.

Then Claire filed for divorce.

Claire Filed for Divorce in 2016

In August 2016, reports emerged that Claire had filed for divorce from Kazembe.

The filing cited irreconcilable differences.

Zendaya was already 19, so questions such as child custody or child support were not central to the case.

The news sounded dramatic.

Zendaya quickly made clear that the reality was much less sensational.

She said her parents had actually been apart for quite some time and that they remained friends.

That became one of the clearest examples of how private the family was.

The public thought something had suddenly happened.

The family had already quietly adjusted.

Are Claire and Kazembe Still Friendly?

Yes, available reporting continues to describe them as amicable.

Zendaya herself referred to them as still being friends after their separation.

That friendly relationship appears to have continued through major family milestones.

Both have remained supportive of Zendaya.

Neither parent turned the divorce into a public feud.

For a family under constant celebrity attention, that restraint is notable.

How Many Children Does Claire Stoermer Have?

Zendaya is Claire and Kazembe’s only child together.

Zendaya does have five older half-siblings from her father’s earlier relationship, but those children are Kazembe’s, not Claire’s biological children.

That distinction often gets confused online.

Some websites incorrectly describe Claire as the biological mother of all Zendaya’s siblings.

She is not.

Zendaya is Claire’s only publicly documented biological child.

Claire Is Also the Founder of Kizzmet Jewelry

Teaching and theater are not Claire’s only interests.

She founded Kizzmet Jewelry, a small business focused on handmade jewelry using crystals, gemstones and natural stones.

The company’s official site identifies Claire directly as its founder.

Her interest in crystals began through teaching.

Claire says she became fascinated with rocks and crystals while teaching geology to young students more than 25 years ago.

What began as an educational interest eventually became a personal collection.

Then she started turning stones into jewelry.

Friends wanted pieces.

Customers followed.

A business was born.

What Kind of Jewelry Does Claire Make?

Kizzmet sells necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings and other pieces using crystals and gemstones.

The company emphasizes handmade and custom designs.

Claire’s own explanation connects each piece with creativity and her long-standing fascination with natural stones.

Whether a customer is interested in crystals for appearance, personal meaning or both, the jewelry business reflects something very different from Zendaya’s Hollywood world.

It is small-scale.

Personal.

Creative.

And clearly Claire’s own project.

Zendaya Has Supported Her Mom’s Business

Zendaya has publicly supported Kizzmet Jewelry and has worn pieces from her mother’s collection.

PEOPLE has noted that she has promoted Claire’s designs online.

That is a nice reversal.

Claire spent years helping her daughter build confidence and follow her dreams.

Then Zendaya became famous enough to introduce millions of people to her mother’s business.

Still, Kizzmet remains Claire’s project rather than a Zendaya-branded company.

Its official site continues operating in 2026.

How Old Is Claire Stoermer?

This detail is less clear than many online biography sites suggest.

Some secondary genealogy pages list March 24, 1964 as Claire’s birth date.

However, major mainstream profiles generally do not independently verify that date.

For that reason, it is better not to present an exact age as completely certain.

If the commonly reported 1964 birth year is accurate, Claire would be around 62 years old in 2026.

But the strongest parts of her biography are her education, teaching career, theater work and family story—not a celebrity birthday listing.

Claire and Zendaya Remain Extremely Close

Photographs over the years regularly show Claire and Zendaya embracing, laughing and attending events together.

Zendaya has continued speaking warmly about her mother’s influence.

The relationship seems especially grounded because Claire does not appear interested in becoming a Hollywood personality herself.

She attends events.

She celebrates her daughter.

Then she returns to her own life.

That may be one reason their relationship still seems so normal despite Zendaya’s extraordinary level of fame.

Claire Celebrated Zendaya’s 30th Birthday in 2026

One of the newest updates came on September 1, 2026.

Zendaya turned 30.

Claire celebrated by sharing a childhood photograph of her daughter and writing about how much love and gratitude surrounded the milestone.

Claire also mentioned that Zendaya was no longer very active on social media herself.

So Mom handled part of the birthday celebration online.

It was a simple family moment, but it reminded fans that behind Zendaya’s huge global career is still the same mother who remembers her as a little girl.

Claire Also Reacted to Zendaya’s Wedding Rumors

In March 2026, longtime stylist Law Roach caused headlines when he appeared to say that Zendaya and Tom Holland had already privately married.

Claire then shared the clip on Instagram Stories and jokingly commented on Law’s laugh.

Her response did not provide a formal wedding announcement.

So it would be wrong to treat Claire’s post alone as confirmation of every detail.

What it did show was her playful involvement in the enormous public interest surrounding Zendaya and Tom Holland.

Claire has spent years watching the world speculate about her daughter.

She appears to have developed a sense of humor about it.

What Is Claire Stoermer Doing Now in 2026?

Claire continues to live much more privately than Zendaya.

Her most visible independent work remains Kizzmet Jewelry, whose official site is active and identifies her as the founder.

She also remains close to Zendaya and appears through occasional family posts and entertainment coverage.

There is no reliable evidence that Claire is trying to become:

an actress,

reality star,

professional influencer,

or celebrity manager.

Her public identity still centers on education, family, jewelry and the theater connection that helped start everything.

What Is Claire Stoermer’s Net Worth?

There is no independently verified figure for Claire Stoermer’s personal net worth.

Some celebrity websites publish estimates because Zendaya is wealthy.

That is not a good method.

Zendaya’s assets belong to Zendaya.

Claire has had her own career as an educator and jewelry business owner, but her private finances are not publicly disclosed.

Without verified information about property, investments, savings, business income and liabilities, any precise number would simply be speculation.

So the accurate answer is:

Claire Stoermer’s exact personal net worth is not publicly known.

Why Claire Stoermer’s Story Matters

It would be easy to describe Claire in just three words:

Zendaya’s famous mom.

But that misses almost everything interesting.

Claire was a teacher before Zendaya became famous.

Her summer theater job helped introduce her daughter to acting.

Her confidence without makeup influenced Zendaya’s ideas about beauty.

Her educational values shaped the way Zendaya approached school and discipline.

And her own fascination with geology eventually became Kizzmet Jewelry.

The daughter became globally famous.

But many of the building blocks were already there at home.

Final Thoughts

Claire Stoermer never became the celebrity in her family.

Yet her influence may be one of the biggest reasons Zendaya became the kind of celebrity she is.

Claire taught in Oakland schools and believed education could change children’s lives.

She worked summers at California Shakespeare Theater.

A shy little Zendaya came with her, passed out programs, watched performances and eventually joined theater classes.

That little girl slowly came out of her shell.

Acting grew from a hobby into a dream.

Eventually, Zendaya’s family rearranged their lives to help make that dream possible.

Then Hollywood arrived.

Disney.

Movies.

Emmys.

Fashion.

Global fame.

Through all of it, Claire remained a teacher at heart.

She also built something of her own.

Her love of geology and crystals became Kizzmet Jewelry, a business that remains active in 2026.

Her marriage to Kazembe ended, but not in a public war.

The two remained friendly and continued supporting their daughter.

And in September 2026, Claire was still doing what mothers do.

She celebrated Zendaya turning 30 by posting an old childhood picture and remembering the little girl behind the movie star.

That may be the best way to understand Claire Stoermer.

To the world, Zendaya is an international superstar.

To Claire, she is still her daughter.

Frequently Asked Questions About Claire Stoermer

Who is Claire Stoermer?

Claire Stoermer is an American educator, former California Shakespeare Theater house manager, jewelry designer and the mother of actress Zendaya.

Is Claire Stoermer Zendaya’s biological mother?

Yes. Zendaya is the biological daughter of Claire Stoermer and Kazembe Ajamu Coleman.

What did Claire Stoermer do for a living?

Claire worked as a school teacher in Oakland and spent around 12 summers as a house manager at California Shakespeare Theater. She now also runs Kizzmet Jewelry.

Where did Claire Stoermer go to college?

She graduated from Santa Clara University in 1987.

Did Claire Stoermer play basketball?

Yes. Santa Clara Magazine identifies her as a former Bronco basketball player.

Was Claire Stoermer a teacher?

Yes. She taught in Oakland-area schools, including Fruitvale Elementary School.

How did Claire influence Zendaya’s acting career?

Claire worked at California Shakespeare Theater, where Zendaya spent many childhood summers watching performances and eventually taking acting classes.

Was Zendaya shy when she was young?

Yes. Claire has said Zendaya was extremely shy as a young child, and theater classes helped bring her out of her shell.

Who is Claire Stoermer’s former husband?

Her former husband is Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, Zendaya’s father.

When did Claire and Kazembe marry?

They married in 2008.

When did Claire Stoermer divorce Kazembe?

Claire filed for divorce in 2016 after they had already been separated for some time.

Are Zendaya’s parents still friends?

Zendaya publicly said that her parents remained friends after their separation.

How many children does Claire Stoermer have?

Zendaya is Claire’s only publicly documented biological child. Zendaya has five older half-siblings through her father.

What is Kizzmet Jewelry?

Kizzmet Jewelry is Claire Stoermer’s handmade crystal and gemstone jewelry business.

Is Kizzmet Jewelry still active in 2026?

Yes. Its official website remains active and identifies Claire as the founder.

How old is Claire Stoermer?

Her exact date of birth is not firmly confirmed by major mainstream sources. Some secondary records list 1964, which would make her around 62 in 2026.

Did Claire influence Zendaya’s beauty style?

Yes. Zendaya has said that seeing her mother comfortable without makeup helped teach her confidence in natural beauty.

Did Claire react to Zendaya and Tom Holland wedding reports?

Yes. In March 2026, Claire humorously reacted online after Law Roach appeared to say the couple had already married, though her reaction itself was not a formal wedding announcement.

What did Claire post for Zendaya’s 30th birthday?

Claire shared a childhood photo and loving message when Zendaya turned 30 on September 1, 2026.

What is Claire Stoermer’s net worth?

Her exact individual net worth has not been independently verified, so precise online estimates should be treated cautiously.

What is Claire Stoermer doing now in 2026?

Claire maintains a private life, continues running Kizzmet Jewelry and remains closely involved with her family while occasionally sharing updates about Zendaya.

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