It’s a phrase thrown around a lot when it comes to celebrity couples, but this time we truly mean it: if Tom Holland and Zendaya ever break up, love will officially be dead.
No other Hollywood couple holds a candle to them, and we can’t be convinced otherwise.
From the sweet way Tom talks about the inspiration that is Zendaya to their friends-turned-lovers’ beginnings, we’re absolutely smitten with the duo.
Having met on the set of Spider-Man in 2016, the notoriously private pair are finally set to share the silver screen once more, this time outside of the Marvel universe.
While finer details remain under wraps, it was recently announced that Zendaya and Anne Hathaway would join an already-confirmed Tom and Matt Damon in Christopher Nolan’s next film.
Slated for a July 2026 release, Tom gave a brief but unrevealing comment on the upcoming project, saying, “All I can say is that I’m incredibly excited and obviously honoured, but that’s all I can say because, to be honest, that’s all I know.”
Tom Holland & Zendaya’s Relationship History
In honour of their on-screen reunion, we look back at their relationship timeline.
2016
Tom and Zendaya met of the set of Spider-Man in 2016 with the duo playing on-screen love interests, Peter Parker and MJ.
Their on-screen chemistry translated in real life, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed by fans.
Soon, the stars were making regular appearances on one another’s social media accounts, however it appeared to only be as friends…at first. In November 2016, the Challengers star posted their Hollywood Reporter, captioning: “Amidst all the chaos and sadness…this one good thing did happen to me today. Honored to share it with the very best…Spider-Man himself.”
2017
In July 2017 speculation was mounting when not one but two sources confirmed their relationship status to People.
“They started seeing each other while they were filming Spider-Man,” the source said. “They’ve been super careful to keep it private and out of the public eye, but they’ve gone on vacations with each other and try and spend as much time as possible with one another.”
The second source added, “They’re both really ambitious, and they challenge each other—but, most importantly, they make each other crack up. They seem to have a really similar sense of humor and love joking around together. They have great banter back and forth.”
Still, the Spider-Man stars played coy, with Tom adamantly referring to Zendaya as a “friend”.
“We are like the best of friends. She’s so great and amazing. I’m a little worried [about dealing with fame … [but] Zendaya is super famous and she’s been through this and I just call her up and say, ‘How do I manage being famous?’ I’m very glad I have a friend like her.” They also publicly poked fun at the rumours via Twitter, and what do they say about those who doth protest too much?
2018 – 2020
Dating rumours continue to bubble away with both stars denying any truth to the speculation as they embark on a second press tour for Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Cute social media posts continued to come but their status of ‘just friends’ was boldy affirmed when Zendaya was spotted holidaying with her Euphoria co-star Jacob Elordi. Neither confirmed that they were dating, however they were papped kissing in New York in February 2020.
Meanwhile, Tom seemingly went Instagram official with actress Nadia Parkes, with the couple spending lockdown together in London.
July 2021
Neither relationship would last, as fans’ hopes were finally affirmed when Tom and Zendaya were spotted kissing in a car in LA. A month later the pair are accidentally caught in a photo looking cosy at a mutual friend’s wedding.
September 2021
In a somewhat subtle post, Tom seemingly goes public with their new romance on Zendaya’s birthday sharing a cute mirror snap from the Spider-Man set with the caption: “My MJ, have the happiest of birthdays. Gimme a call when your up xxx.”
Just month later while promoting her new film, Dune, with co-star Timothy Chalamet, the stars of the film are given a quiz by BuzzFeed. Timothy is asked who Zandaya’s biggest crush is and quickly responds: “Easy, Tom Holland!”
The response immediately sends the actress into fits of giggles.
In November that year, Tom sat down with GQ and spoke about navigating fame and relationships.
“One of the downsides of our fame is that privacy isn’t really in our control anymore, and a moment that you think is between two people that love each other very much is now a moment that is shared with the entire world,” he said.
Since going public both Tom and Zendaya have managed to steer clear of the spotlight, still sharing sweet snaps of one another often.
In 2023 Tom spoke fondly about falling in love with his then co-star, and honestly, it will melt your heart.
“I’m happy and in love, so I’ve got no need for rizz,” he said in reference to a question about his charisma. “I have no rizz whatsoever; I have limited rizz… I need you to fall in love with me, really, for it to work.”
Tom & Zendaya To Star In Christopher Nolan’s New Film
Not only are Tom and Zendaya returning to the Spider-Man universe with another sequel coming in 2026, but the duo are set to appear in Christopher Nolan’s next project, too.
Not much is yet known about the project other than the initial cast. Speaking to Vanity Fair recently, Zendaya touched on returning to the screen with her off-screen love.
“It’s actually strangely comfortable,” she told the publication of working with Tom. “It’s like second nature, if anything. You feel extra safe with the person you’re acting beside. I love working with him. He’s so talented, and so passionate about what he does. He always gives things one thousand percent, even if he’s absolutely worn down. I really appreciate that about him. It feels pretty normal. That’s how we met. Literally, at a chemistry read.”
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
