Zendaya has opened up about the relationship 'red flags' she can identify, while reflecting on her romance with fellow actor Tom Holland. The actress confirmed her engagement to the Spider-Man star last year, and in a fresh interview, she shared her realisation that people can 'change' significantly, even when 'you've known them for a long time.'
Spotting Red Flags in Relationships
Zendaya shared that one particular red flag she has discovered stems from her work as an actor, where she closely observes how others in the industry 'treat the crews' on a film set. The Dune star began dating Tom after they met on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2016. The following year, the co-stars sparked romance rumours, and they later confirmed their relationship in July 2021 when they were photographed kissing in a car.
Insights from Interview with Robert Pattinson
Zendaya shared insight into her relationship red flags during a conversation with her The Drama co-star Robert Pattinson. Their exchange was captured by Interview Magazine, with Zendaya asking: 'What is a red flag in a partner that you find charming?' to which Robert mused it was an 'interesting' question.
Zendaya explained, 'As I've matured, I think a red flag is a red flag, you feel me?' Robert then asked: 'What is a red flag to you?' and the star answered, 'One that works for us at work is how people treat their crews.'
She continued, 'I admire people who are kind to everyone, not just the actors, directors, or producers. A very telling thing is how a crew feels about a particular actor, because they get to see how people are when the cameras are not rolling.'
Understanding Human Complexity
Zendaya went on to add: 'People are layered and complex, and they make mistakes. There are cultural differences. But there are also things that are just kind of, 'Well, that's rude. That's mean.' And there's also the opposite. You can know someone for a long time, and they can change, or you get to know them on a deeper level, and you're like, 'Whoa. I didn't see that side of you.''
Balancing Romance and Career with Tom Holland
Zendaya previously shared how she and Tom manage to successfully juggle their romance and professional ambitions while fiercely protecting their 'privacy.' 'Honestly, I know people might think it's awkward,' the actress told The Mirror. 'On set, he has this huge calming presence that not only puts me at ease but also everybody he works with.'
Zendaya continued: 'I might be a little biased but he is not only my favorite person, he is my favorite person to work with. Neither of us want to hide and not live our lives and do normal things, like go out for dinner, but at the same time, we want to protect our privacy. You have to accept that to a degree, some aspects of your privacy are going to be out of your control. But the parts that are in our control, we fiercely protect.'
Living Arrangements and Personal Life
When the pair aren't working, they split their time between Holland's home in Richmond, West London and Zendaya's home in California, where she has lived for the majority of her life. The actress, who was born in Oakland and later moved to southern California with her family as a young teenager, told the outlet she adores living in England.
Reflections on Early Career and Privacy
In regards to her and her fiancé's preference to keep their personal lives as private as possible, Zendaya cited her longtime career in entertainment and how she got her start as a child star. 'I have a really complicated relationship when it comes to starting in the industry so young,' said the former Disney star, who landed her breakout role on Disney Channel's Shake It Up as a teenager.
'On one hand, I am grateful for the opportunities and experience; then, on the other, there is no doubt I missed out on a lot of regular teenage stuff.' She credited her mother and father for supporting her during her rise to fame. 'My parents were and are super protective of me. I wouldn't have been able to navigate being in the industry at such a young age without them.'
Upcoming Projects and Collaborations
Robert and Zendaya will play a soon-to-be-married couple whose big day is potentially undermined by a dark secret in forthcoming comedy The Drama, scheduled for release in April. It will be the first in a trilogy of collaborations, with Pattinson also featuring alongside the American actress in upcoming science fiction film Dune: Part Three, and The Odyssey, director Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's timeless Greek epic.
Zendaya and Holland first met while filming Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2016. The acting couple are both starring in Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic The Odyssey, which is set to premiere in theaters on July 17. They are also starring opposite one another yet again in the new Spider-Man: Brand New Day movie set for release on July 31.
