Hollywood Star Zendaya Cheers on Nephew During Thrilling High School Football Game in Northern California
Hollywood actress and Oakland native Zendaya made a surprise appearance at Folsom High School on Friday night, joining family and fans in the bleachers to support her nephew, E.J. Coleman, during his Senior Night game. The Sacramento-area high school hosted a dramatic, down-to-the-wire matchup against local rival Del Oro, with the perennial Northern California powerhouse Bulldogs ultimately securing a narrow 42-41 victory.
Zendaya, 30, watched the game from the school’s designated “Dog House” student and family section situated behind one of the end zones. Easily identifiable in a fluffy jacket and sunglasses for the evening contest, the Emmy-winning star blended in with local spectators while engaging warmly with the community. Throughout the night, she posed for photographs with members of Folsom’s cheerleading squad and local teenagers, and joined in when the stadium’s sound system played Oasis’s 1995 hit “Wonderwall.”
The actress, whose full name is Zendaya Coleman, has frequently spoken about her close bond with her large family, which includes five older half-siblings on her father’s side, and has previously brought her nieces and nephews to major Hollywood industry events. Her presence at the Friday night rivalry game drew widespread attention across social media from students, attendees, and family members alike.
E.J. Coleman celebrated his aunt’s attendance by posting photographs across multiple social media platforms. One Instagram post featured a picture of the linebacker alongside Zendaya, who sported a custom-made shirt displaying an image of Coleman in his uniform. She also wore hand-decorated jeans featuring “EJ” lettering and Bulldogs logos to honor her nephew’s milestone game.
On the field, Coleman serves as a primary linebacker for the Bulldogs while occasionally seeing action on offense. Recognized as a three-star football prospect, he has already committed to continue his athletic and academic career at Washington State starting next fall. His productive senior season includes ranking third on the team with 42 tackles, tying for second with 5.5 tackles for a loss, and scoring a notable touchdown on a fumble return during a September victory against Sacred Heart Cathedral at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco.
