Tom Holland and Zendaya are now one of the biggest couples in Hollywood, but fans were previously guessing the nature of their relationship. The actors played alongside Peter Parker and “MJ” in Marvel’s Spider-Man films, and played an on-screen version of the comic book pair long before it was revealed they were dating in real life.
WATCH: Tom and Zendaya share great chemistry in Marvel’s Spider-Man: No Way Home
The Spider-Man stars denied dating rumors for five years, with Tom telling GQ how “frustrating” the speculation was. But this was supposed to be a Hollywood couple, and in 2021 the actors went public with their relationship. While they both remain very private about their romance, now that they’re out in the open, the Euphoria and Chaos Walking stars seem to be settling into the benefits of not trying to hide their love for each other.
But what do you know about their relationship? See the full schedule below…
First meeting
The duo first met in 2016 while Zendaya was auditioning for Marvel’s first Spider-Man movie, Spider-Man: Homecoming.
© Getty Images Zendaya and Tom promoting Homecoming in 2017
In an interview with Variety in 2017, Zendaya talked about an awkward moment she and Tom had when they first met. “He said that when we first met it was so awkward because he went for the handshake and I went for the hug,” she said. “But I don’t remember that. I thought it was cool.”
© Getty Images Spider-Man fans have amazing chemistry in the movies
The meeting quickly led to the development of a close friendship between the actors. Shortly after spending more time with his Spider-Man: Homecoming co-star, Tom told People magazine how he and Zendaya have become “like best friends” before adding: “She’s so amazing and amazing.”
But the two Hollywood stars insisted it was just friendship, despite the on-screen romance between their Spider-Man characters. “We’re friends… He’s a great guy. We’re best friends,” was Zendaya’s response when Variety tried to explore if there was any truth to the rumors that the two were dating during their 2017 interview.
Dating rumours
It’s not clear exactly when the Marvel duo started dating. Tom and Zendaya avoided and denied relationship rumors for some time before becoming more open about their relationship in 2021. While whispers have been swirling about the young couple since 2017, it seems they were really close friends for a while after they first met. .
© Getty Images Zendaya and Tom in June 2017
Social media posts shared on their respective birthdays show that there was a lot of affectionate love shared between the couple before they decided to try dating. In 2017, Tom posted on Instagram on Zendaya’s 21st birthday, joking about their height difference by saying, “I’m thinking about how to grow taller.” He then added the most sincere message: “Happy birthday my friend. I miss you and I’ll grab you a drink. Happy 21st birthday.”
For the Uncharted actress’s 23rd birthday in 2019, Zendaya shared a cozy photo of herself, Tom, her fellow Spider-Man: No Way Home star Jacob Batalon and her co-star Darnell Appling on Instagram with the caption: “Happy birthday weirdo, thank you “. “Since you are such an amazing person, we are all so lucky to have you and your weirdness.”
© Zendaya on Instagram Zendaya shared this cute duo with their friends Jacob and Darryl
Later that year, the Spider-Man actor revealed that he was single in an interview with Elle magazine, and denied rumors that he and his co-star were dating.
Go public
The actors’ relationship was finally revealed to the public in 2021 after paparazzi caught them kissing in a car. “We kind of felt like our privacy was stolen,” Tom said of the incident to GQ magazine.
© Tom Holland on Instagram “To my MJ,” Tom captioned this beautiful behind-the-scenes photo.
After posting the photos, the celebrities continued to keep their relationship private, but began showing their love for each other more openly in social media posts. To celebrate the Euphoria star’s 25th birthday in 2021, Tom posted a beautiful photo of the duo from their time filming one of the Spider-Man movies.
Along with the photo, the actor added an adorable caption full of love: “Hey MJ, have the happiest of birthdays. Call me when you’re awake xxx.” Zendaya returned the favor later that year, calling the actor “My Spider-Man” in an Instagram post celebrating the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home. During the press tour for this film, the couple was publicly affectionate, and since then, the two have been seen on several dates.
© Getty ImagesZendaya attends Paris Fashion Week in 2023
Their stunning romantic visit to the Louvre in October 2022 went viral, with fans comparing the Marvel duo’s relationship to the artwork that Tom and Zendaya would visit the museum to admire.
London home
The young couple took their relationship to the next level in 2022 when they purchased a $3 million home in London, just four miles from where Tom grew up in Kingston upon Thames.
Tom and Zendaya flew in from Los Angeles to pick up the keys to their new place. The happy couple are said to have big renovation plans for the six-bedroom home, which will include a cinema, gym and tom cave, according to The Mirror. A source said: “They are thrilled about the property and getting their first home together. They are very much in love and want their first home to be in London where Tom grew up. Everyone is thrilled for them.”
Engagement rumours
It doesn’t look like Tom or Zendaya are ready to get engaged just yet. Although the close and loving relationship between the Marvel stars over the past year somewhat suggests that marriage could be on the cards soon, if they so desire.
© Getty ImagesZendaya attends the NMACC gala in Mumbai
For now, the two seem content to settle down as just boyfriend and girlfriend. But with that said, after getting a manicure in March 2023, Zendaya showed off a gold ring engraved with the initials “TH.” It’s unclear if the ring originally belonged to the Spider-Man star or if Zendaya made the charm in honor of her beau, but it’s safe to say that both options are very romantic!
© Marinadobyk.nails on Instagram Zendaya’s ring was featured in a video showing off her manicure
Fresh off her Emmy win for Euphoria in 2022, Zendaya gave another sweet take on the couple’s newfound comfort with talking about their relationship in public. When asked by E! Online about who she first called to celebrate her win, Zendaya lovingly said, “I didn’t have to text my mom because my mom was already there…I texted my friend.”
© Evans Vestal Ward/NBCZendaya with the Emmy she won for Euphoria, which she texted Tom afterward to celebrate
While speaking on Jay Shetty’s podcast in July 2023, Tom gave a rare look into his and Zendaya’s perspective on keeping their relationship out of the spotlight. The actor described their relationship as “the most sacred” and said, “I do my best to keep it as private as possible… We both feel like this is the healthiest way for us to move forward as a couple, so I try to stay as far away from Hollywood as possible.”
Unforgettable dates
In mid-February 2022, the duo was spotted doing one of the most adorable couple activities — outfit twinning — at an ice hockey game between the New York Rangers and Red Wings. To make things even cooler, the stars wore each other’s hockey jerseys; Tom was wearing a shirt with the word “Zendaya” written on the back, while Zendaya was wearing a shirt with “Holland” written on it.
© Getty Images Tom and Zendaya looked very in love at the premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home
A year later, after Zendaya wore four stunning looks in less than 24 hours while attending the SAG and NAACP Image Awards in February 2023, Tom commented with several heart emojis on each of her photos from the night. The Uncharted actor’s little gesture has fans going crazy about how adorable the two Hollywood stars are.
In late March 2023, the couple was seen several times abroad and enjoying life in London. While photographers covered their trips to city parks and to the grocery store, the couple happily stopped by a Michelin-starred restaurant to capture their visit in some photos to post on social media.
© Surender Mohan on Instagram Tom and Zendaya with Chef Jamavar Surender Mohan
After enjoying a romantic dinner at hotspot Jamavar, Tom and Zendaya were photographed with the restaurant’s culinary director and executive chef, Surender Mohan. He later shared the photo on Instagram, writing: “Had the pleasure of @zendaya and @tomholland2013 having dinner with us @jamavarlondon this afternoon.”
© Blue Bay Marine on Instagram Tom and Zendaya are on vacation in India
In the spring of 2023, Tom and Zendaya visited Mumbai, India. Their visit included attending the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center gala on March 31, and the duo then turned the trip into a private couple’s vacation. Proof of this was found by fans when a photo of the couple was shared on Instagram by yacht charter service, Blue Bay Marine, where they enjoyed some time on one of their yachts.
On April 8, 2023, the cute couple was spotted enjoying a date together in England at Hampton Court Palace. Following their visit on Instagram, one of the palace’s tour guides wrote that the couple were “the most beautiful and humble people” while sharing some photos that showed how happy the famous duo were to pose for photos with members of staff. They enjoyed learning about the history of the palace.
© anneboleynsociety on Instagram: Tom and Zendaya with palace staff member, Tracy Burman
Fans got another chance to celebrate the special bond between the Spider-Man stars on June 1, 2023, and as per tradition, Zendaya posted another sweet tribute to her beau on his birthday. After spending a day swimming and surfing, the Euphoria actress posted two photos of Tom to her Instagram Stories. In the first photo, he can be seen making a heart symbol with his hands while swimming in the water, while in the second, he was smiling happily at the beach.
© Zendaya on Instagram Zendaya’s first photo of Tom on his birthday
In October 2024, when Tom launched his non-alcoholic beer brand, Zendaya twinned with her beau while attending the launch party. The Euphoria star looked very dreamy in a burgundy dress while her Spider-Man boyfriend wore a crimson and green T-shirt, opting for a casual look to celebrate the exciting new launch event.
