Tom Holland has shared how his partner Zendaya inspired him to voice concerns on set when scenes 'aren't working'. The 30-year-old actor appeared on Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast this week, discussing his life and career and the influence of his 29-year-old actress partner.
Euphoria Finale and Zendaya's Performance
This week, Zendaya's series Euphoria concluded after seven years and three seasons with a dramatic finale. Her character Rue Bennett died from a drug overdose after being poisoned with fentanyl-laced pills by her drug dealer boss, who discovered she was working with the DEA.
During the podcast, Poehler asked Holland what he had learned from Zendaya. He praised her fearlessness as an actress, noting the stark contrast between her real-life personality and her troubled alter-ego Rue. 'What I love about watching her work is she's just fearless. She's just absolutely ten toes down, like I'm going to give this everything,' he said.
He added: 'I think when you watch her as Rue in that show, she could not be more different to who she is in real life. And then if you see her as Emma in The Drama, it's just a different performance but with no less intent or passion or drive. I think she's the best actor going! I really think she has something special.'
Speaking Up on Set
Holland recounted a specific moment during the filming of the latest Spider-Man movie, where his relationship with Zendaya gave him the confidence to address a scene that wasn't working. 'We had an amazing moment on Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and it's only because of our relationship that this happened,' he explained.
'We'd shot my coverage, we then turned around on Zendaya, we're doing her coverage... and I'd never ever dream of saying this to an actress that I wasn't with, and I said to her: "Do you think this scene is working?" and she was like "no, I don't think this scene is working at all".'
He then approached the producers and director Destin Daniel Cretton, expressing their concerns. 'I went to the producers and asked: "Do you think this scene is working?" and they said "No" and I was like "Me and Z are not really feeling it".'
The director responded calmly, asking Holland how he wanted the scene to feel. 'Destin sent the crew home and said they were going to sit down and rewrite the scene with the film's writer. We came in the next day, we re-shot the scene, and I'm so glad that we did because it sings in the movie, it really does,' Holland said.
Mutual Understanding in the Industry
Holland noted that his comfort with Zendaya as his partner enabled him to speak up. He joked: 'It's just so funny as I was thinking that if this wasn't Zendaya that I was sitting across from, imagine on someone else's coverage and being like "you think this is working?"'
The couple, who first met while filming Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2016, also star together in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, though they do not share scenes. Holland emphasised the importance of having a partner who understands the industry's challenges. 'It's a wild world being in this industry. There are ups and downs. You go from shooting a movie, which is when we're all at our most comfortable, and then you do a press tour, which feels like you're kind of standing out on a stage. It's so nice to have someone that understands that in such a personal way, so that you can talk each other down or you can big each other up... it's a lifeline. It really is and I couldn't imagine doing what I do without her.'
