Zendaya opens up about watching boyfriend Tom Holland become famous ‘overnight’

‘We were both very, very young. I definitely watched his life change in front of him’ the star shared

Maira Butt
Wednesday 10 April 2024 12:56 BST
Comments
Zendaya and Tom Holland at Indian Wells 16x9

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Zendaya has offered a rare glimpse into her relationship with boyfriend Tom Holland as she shared how it felt to watch him become famous “overnight”.

The couple have been dating since July 2021 and have kept their friends-to-lovers relationship very private. They met in 2016 on the set of Spiderman 2: Homecoming and their onscreen chemistry had fans wishing for a real-life romance.

They seemingly confirmed their relationship when they were spotted kissing in the back of Holland’s car.

Zendaya, who made her television debut as Rocky Blue on the 2010 Disney Channel sitcom Shake It Up, had been in the public eye for a while. But Holland was catapulted to fame after the success of Spider-Man, when he was selected for the role, aged just 19.

“We were both very, very young,” the actor, who was also 19 at the time, told Vogue. “But my career was already kind of going, and his changed overnight.”

Holland has since gone on to star in multiple Marvel movies including Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

Zendaya shared her thoughts on how she thinks the rise to fame has affected the star: “One day you’re a kid and you’re at the pub with your friends, and then the next day you’re Spider-Man.

The pair have been together for nearly three years
The pair have been together for nearly three years (Getty Images)

“I definitely watched his life kind of change in front of him. But he handled it really beautifully.”

The star also opened up about becoming a breadwinner at a young age and her experience as a child actor. She started acting on the popular sitcom, aged 14.

“I felt like I was thrust into a very adult position. I was becoming the breadwinner of my family very early.”

The actor and producer is set to star in new romantic sports comedy-drama Challengers, in which she plays Tashi Duncan, a former tennis player turned coach who is married to a champion on a losing streak.

Challengers will be released in cinemas on 26 April 2024.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in