The Real Story Behind Tom Holland and Zendaya's Romance Revealed

Tom Holland and Zendaya have had a unique bond since their first encounter on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming. Their chemistry was evident to fans, who began to speculate about their relationship in 2017. However, the two tried to keep their romantic lives away from the public eye.

"He's a wonderful person and we have a great friendship. I think that's why people enjoy seeing us together," Zendaya shared with Entertainment Tonight in August 2017, addressing the rumors linking her romantically to Holland.

In August of 2017, she acknowledged that being subject to rumors is par for the course when you're in the public eye. Despite denying that they were romantically involved, Holland and Zendaya continued to strengthen their friendship. According to an insider, Tom even had the opportunity to meet and impress Zendaya's family.

The Cherry star and Disney alum have continued to showcase their strong bond. Holland revealed in a February 2021 interview with British GQ that Zendaya has been a great help to him. He explained how the Shake It Up alum has guided him through handling fame, admitting that he used to come across as rude to fans. Holland shared that he was often surprised by their requests for pictures and autographs, which caused him to react with suspicion. But Zendaya's advice has helped him become more comfortable in the spotlight.

The actor from England confessed that pursuing relationships while in the public eye is an extremely nerve-racking experience. He explained that one must be highly conscious of their partner's feelings since any occurrences between the two of them would not only be between them but would be witnessed by the entire world. He went on to add that it can be a very complex process and is one of his greatest worries, despite all the other things he faces in his career.

They had previously denied any romantic involvement, but in July 2021, Zendaya and Tom Holland were seen showing public displays of affection in Holland's car. According to an exclusive source, the two started out as close friends and remained so for a significant amount of time before their relationship turned romantic. The source also revealed that the duo both complement and challenge each other, creating a balanced dynamic between them.

Holland has been known to bring a smile on Zendaya's face, while Zendaya has been a guiding force for him in navigating the world of fame. Prior to their current relationship, Zendaya was involved with her Euphoria co-star Jacob Elordi between 2019 to 2020, and Holland dated Olivia Bolton during the same time period.

Scroll down to see all the times Zendaya and Holland have talked about their relationship:

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Everything Tom Holland and Zendaya Have Said About Their Relationship Over the Years

Tom Holland and Zendaya have formed a close bond since they first met on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming. Their chemistry was so palpable that fans began to speculate about their relationship in 2017. However, both actors made a conscious effort to keep their personal lives out of the public eye.

"He’s a great guy and we enjoy each other’s company, but the truth is that we are just friends. We’re not dating or anything like that," Zendaya clarified.

Despite constant rumors of a romantic relationship, Holland and Zendaya maintained their denial in August 2017. However, their bond as friends continued to flourish, with reports indicating that Holland had even met Zendaya's family and won their approval.

Throughout their friendship, the Cherry star and the Disney alum have consistently emphasized their strong bond. In a February 2021 interview with British GQ, Holland shared that Zendaya had been a pivotal source of guidance for him in navigating the pressures of fame. Holland admitted that, in the past, he had sometimes come across as dismissive of fans who approached him for photos or autographs. However, with Zendaya's support and advice, he was able to overcome his initial skepticism and learn to appreciate the enthusiasm of his admirers.

The English actor confessed that pursuing relationships in the public eye can be a daunting experience. He expressed concern about the need to be extremely cautious of his partner's emotions, as any issues that arise between them would be magnified and scrutinized by the entire world. He shared that this aspect of his personal life is a constant worry and one of his greatest concerns, even amidst his successful career.

After years of denying any romantic involvement, the couple was spotted engaging in public displays of affection in July 2021 while in Holland's car. According to an exclusive source, Zendaya and Tom were initially close friends before their relationship took a romantic turn. The source also shared that the two individuals challenge and balance each other.

Holland has been known to bring a smile to Zendaya's face, while Zendaya has been a great source of guidance for Holland as he navigates the intricacies of being a celebrity. Interestingly, Zendaya and Holland both ended their respective relationships around the same time, with Zendaya parting ways with her Euphoria costar Jacob Elordi and Holland ending things with Olivia Bolton.

Scroll down to see all the times Zendaya and Holland have talked about their relationship:

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Staying Close

In 2017, during an interview with Variety, the speaker, who hails from California, revealed how close she is to her friend. She stated that they have been on press tours together for several months and that it's rare to find someone who can relate to the experience, especially at such a young age.

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Platonic Bond

According to the HBO star, her and Holland's recollections of the day they met differ significantly. In 2017, she shared with Variety that Holland remembers the encounter as being particularly uncomfortable, as he went in for a handshake while she went in for a hug. However, she herself does not recall this moment as being awkward and actually found it to be rather interesting.

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Social Media Clarification

Following reports that claimed the duo were dating, they took to social media to poke fun at the speculation.

Zendaya once joked on Twitter about going on vacations with her rumored beau Tom Holland, even though she claimed to not have gone on a vacation in years. In response, Holland cheekily asked if their press tour together counted as a vacation.

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Proud Moment

Holland posted a photo of Zendaya from the Met Gala in May 2018, writing, "All hail the queen. Killing it mate."

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Getting Candid

Despite fan rumors linking him to Zendaya, the Avengers actor confirmed to Elle in June 2019 that he was currently single. However, he did reveal that he considers himself to be a "relationship person" and that he's not interested in casual flings. "I'm not the fleeting type at all; it's not my way of life," he stated.

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In His Corner

The British actor shared how his fellow actor aided him in adapting to his newfound fame and embracing his altered lifestyle. In an interview with British GQ in February 2021, he expressed, "She completely transformed my ability to feel at ease in public."

Furthermore, Holland expressed his excitement about reuniting with Zendaya in their next Marvel project. He shared, "It's a blast to be working with them again, particularly since Zendaya and I are both navigating similar journeys in our careers. After assuming more mature roles, we are now returning to Spider-Man. I am extremely proud of her accomplishments in Euphoria and Malcolm & Marie."

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Sticking By One Another

"He really impressed me with his performance in Cherry," Zendaya said in an interview with Esquire in February 2021. "It was difficult to see my friend, who I'm used to seeing as Peter Parker every day, take on such a mature role, but he did it flawlessly. I have no doubt that after seeing this side of Tom Holland, there's no telling what he'll accomplish in the future."

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Kind Comments

Holland shared with Backstage in February 2021 how helpful Zendaya was during his life-changing process. As a big film actor and world traveler, Holland recognized the need to behave differently and uphold the idea of being a role model to young kids. According to Holland, Zendaya is the best at being a role model and it was a privilege to have her support during his growth. Having Zendaya as a friend has been invaluable to the success and happiness of Holland's career and life, as she is a perfect person who he can rely on.

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Growing Up Together

Zendaya shared with E!'s Daily Pop in July 2021 that being a part of the Spider-Man cast has been a significant experience for her as she has grown up alongside her co-stars and is now a part of their legacy.

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A Good Impression

In a recent interview with InStyle, the Euphoria star shared her admiration for Holland's ability to make anyone feel at ease and engage them in a delightful conversation. She further added that the actor possessed a captivating charm that drew people towards him.

During filming, Zendaya had the opportunity to observe Holland's impressive work ethic firsthand and praised his dedication to getting each scene just right. She shared that she was given permission by the director to be on set every day and was amazed by Holland's attention to detail. Even during a long and exhausting fight scene, he would constantly review his performance and strive to improve it. While Zendaya was impressed by his commitment to perfection, she also encouraged Holland to recognize when he had nailed a scene.

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Staying Private

Holland revealed that he and Zendaya didn't intend to reveal their relationship with that steamy car PDA.

The downside to our fame is that we no longer have control over our privacy. Moments that were once shared between two people in love are now exposed to the world. It feels like we've been stripped of our privacy," he shared with GQ in November 2021. He went on to explain that he would not discuss their relationship without his partner present. "I can't have that conversation without her. I respect her too much to do so. This is not just my story, it's ours. We'll talk about it together when we're ready."

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Embracing the Love

Zendaya expressed her appreciation for having support and love from her boyfriend during an interview with Entertainment Tonight in April 2022. The actress acknowledged the challenges of her job and revealed that her relationship helps to provide a much-needed break from the demands of the industry.

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Her 1st Text

After attending the 2022 Emmys with her mom, Zendaya revealed that Holland was the first person she texted following her second Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series win.

"I was fortunate enough to have my mother present at the event tonight, making it all the more special. Additionally, I made sure to send a text to my boyfriend," she shared with E! News in September 2022.

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Getting the Girl

The actor admitted to Buzzfeed in June 2023 that he lacked charisma, or "rizz", and needed his audience to connect with him emotionally in order to succeed. He believed that a long-term working relationship with other actors, particularly when playing characters who fall in love, could help blur the lines between reality and fiction, thus enhancing his performance. He also mentioned that he was content and in love, and therefore had no need for external validation.