Zendaya Recalls Meeting Tom Holland at a Chemistry Read, Says She Feels 'Extra Safe' Working with Him

Mar. 15, 2025

Tom Holland and Zendaya on Oct. 24.Photo:Rommel Demano/BFA.com/Shutterstock

Rommel Demano/BFA.com/Shutterstock

Zendayadoesn’t mind mixing the personal and professional.InVanity Fair’s annual Hollywood Issue, theChallengersactress, 28, opened up about working with boyfriendTom Holland, 28, whom she met at a chemistry read for 2016’sSpider-Man: Homecoming.Asked if it is “weird” to act opposite Holland, her costar in threeSpider-Manmovies andan upcoming filmfrom directorChristopher Nolan, Zendaya said it was actually “strangely comfortable.”“It’s like second nature, if anything. You feel extra safe with the person you’re acting beside. I love working with him,” she continued.“He’s so talented, and so passionate about what he does. He always gives things one thousand percent, even if he’s absolutely worn down. I really appreciate that about him. It feels pretty normal. That’s how we met. Literally, at a chemistry read,” Zendaya added.Zendaya and Tom Holland in ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home.'.J Whilden/Columbia/Marvel/Kobal/ShutterstockNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Though rumors about a romance between Zendaya and Holland followed the two for years, the pair did not confirm they were in a relationship until 2021.In aninterview withGQthat November, Holland opened up about the challenges of dating Zendaya while both are in the public eye.“One of the downsides of our fame is that privacy isn’t really in our control anymore, and a moment that you think is between two people that love each other very much is now a moment that is shared with the entire world,” he said.For her part, Zendaya stressed in the same interview that they try to keep some things private.“The equal sentiment [we both share] is just that when you really love and care about somebody, some moments or things, you wish were your own,” she said at the time.Zendaya and Tom Holland in 2021.Karwai Tang/WireImage"I think loving someone is a sacred thing and a special thing and something that you want to deal with and go through and experience and enjoy amongst the two people that love each other,” she added.That said, the two have offered some glimpses into their relationship — including how Holland likes to be the handyman around his girlfriend’s home.“If something breaks in Zendaya’s house, Itake huge pride in fixing it,” he said onThe Rich Roll Podcastlast month. “The other day, she has this guest room, which was … it wasn’t the greatest room, like it needed some love.““I built her these cupboards and put a new wardrobe up for her and fitted it in so it looked like it was part of the wall. And I was very proud of myself,” he added.

Zendayadoesn’t mind mixing the personal and professional.

InVanity Fair’s annual Hollywood Issue, theChallengersactress, 28, opened up about working with boyfriendTom Holland, 28, whom she met at a chemistry read for 2016’sSpider-Man: Homecoming.

Asked if it is “weird” to act opposite Holland, her costar in threeSpider-Manmovies andan upcoming filmfrom directorChristopher Nolan, Zendaya said it was actually “strangely comfortable.”

“It’s like second nature, if anything. You feel extra safe with the person you’re acting beside. I love working with him,” she continued.

“He’s so talented, and so passionate about what he does. He always gives things one thousand percent, even if he’s absolutely worn down. I really appreciate that about him. It feels pretty normal. That’s how we met. Literally, at a chemistry read,” Zendaya added.

Zendaya and Tom Holland in ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home.'.J Whilden/Columbia/Marvel/Kobal/Shutterstock

J Whilden/Columbia/Marvel/Kobal/Shutterstock

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Though rumors about a romance between Zendaya and Holland followed the two for years, the pair did not confirm they were in a relationship until 2021.

In aninterview withGQthat November, Holland opened up about the challenges of dating Zendaya while both are in the public eye.

“One of the downsides of our fame is that privacy isn’t really in our control anymore, and a moment that you think is between two people that love each other very much is now a moment that is shared with the entire world,” he said.

For her part, Zendaya stressed in the same interview that they try to keep some things private.

“The equal sentiment [we both share] is just that when you really love and care about somebody, some moments or things, you wish were your own,” she said at the time.

Zendaya and Tom Holland in 2021.Karwai Tang/WireImage

Karwai Tang/WireImage

“I think loving someone is a sacred thing and a special thing and something that you want to deal with and go through and experience and enjoy amongst the two people that love each other,” she added.

That said, the two have offered some glimpses into their relationship — including how Holland likes to be the handyman around his girlfriend’s home.

“If something breaks in Zendaya’s house, Itake huge pride in fixing it,” he said onThe Rich Roll Podcastlast month. “The other day, she has this guest room, which was … it wasn’t the greatest room, like it needed some love.”

“I built her these cupboards and put a new wardrobe up for her and fitted it in so it looked like it was part of the wall. And I was very proud of myself,” he added.

source: people.com