Zendaya on Tom Holland: ‘I Feel More Nervous When I’m Away From Him’

Zendaya opened up about the dynamics of her long-term relationship with Tom Holland during an appearance on The New York Times’ “Modern Love” podcast. The episode, released on April 1, 2026, featured the actress alongside her “The Drama” co-star Robert Pattinson. During the conversation, Zendaya discussed how she identifies a genuine partnership, citing the sense of calm she experiences in Holland’s presence as a defining factor.

The discussion comes amid heightened public speculation regarding the couple’s marital status. In March 2026, Zendaya’s stylist, Law Roach, made comments on the red carpet at the Actor Awards suggesting that the couple’s “wedding has already happened.” While neither Zendaya nor Holland has confirmed nuptials, the actress addressed the intense public interest in her romance during the podcast recording.

Defining a Genuine Connection

Zendaya explained that her certainty about Holland being her partner stemmed from a lack of anxiety in his company. She contrasted this feeling with the nervousness that often accompanies interactions with others, noting that her intuition signaled the relationship’s significance when she realized her comfort level.

I knew What we have is my person because I don’t feel nervous around them. I feel really peaceful, and I feel really calm like, oh, I actually feel more nervous when I’m away from you than when I’m with you.

Zendaya

The actress traced this sense of ease back to their initial meeting. Zendaya and Holland first met at an audition for the 2017 film “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” She recalled being nervous due to the high stakes of the chemistry read for a major franchise, but noted that Holland’s demeanor helped alleviate that stress.

Zendaya described Holland as being “really lovely” during that initial professional encounter. She credited his ability to make her feel comfortable as a nice person as a key element in their early dynamic. This foundation was established before Holland headlined his first Marvel tentpole as Peter Parker and before Zendaya debuted as the franchise’s MJ.

Growing Up in the Public Eye

The couple has worked together repeatedly over the last decade, reprising their roles in 2019’s “Spider-Man: Far From Home” and 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” Zendaya acknowledged that this shared history influences her perspective on their relationship. She noted that knowing someone from their teenage years into adulthood creates a specific type of bond.

I feel like I’m biased because I’ve been able to grow up with the person that I love and get to know them through being literally a teenager to now. So it’s like, of course we’re going to change and we’re going to grow and life is like whatever, but I still feel like there’s a bond or a connection that you feel like you know someone, at least enough to feel safe with them.

Zendaya

Despite their long history together, Zendaya emphasized the importance of maintaining privacy. She addressed the “parasocial investment” the public feels in her relationship, acknowledging that she and Holland have grown up in front of audiences and have portrayed romantic interests on screen. However, she clarified her stance on sharing personal details.

Zendaya stated that while she understands the public’s interest, she remains a private person. She aims to preserve certain aspects of her life for herself, Holland, and their family to maintain their joy. This approach involves setting boundaries on what she is willing to share publicly versus what she keeps within her personal circle.

We do our best in general to not hide ourselves from the world, but just to, I think, preserve things for ourselves so that One can maintain that joy just within ourselves and our loved ones and our family. So that’s kind of like my broad way of just saying, I hear it, but I also like my own little boundaries of what I like to bring up and talk about, but then also what I’m also willing to share.

Zendaya

Upcoming Projects and Rumors

The renewed attention on the couple follows claims made by Law Roach in March 2026. Following his comments, AI-generated photos depicting an alleged wedding between the two stars went viral across social media platforms. Zendaya later confirmed that these images were not real.

Professionally, the pair continues to collaborate. They are scheduled to star together in upcoming projects releasing in the summer of 2026. These films include “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey.” Their continued professional partnership underscores the long-term connection Zendaya described during the podcast interview.

The full interview featuring Zendaya and Pattinson is available on The New York Times’ “Modern Love” podcast. The discussion provides insight into how the actress navigates fame, privacy, and personal relationships while maintaining a high-profile career in the film industry.