Zendaya on Tom Holland, Protecting Her Peace, Iconic Roles, and What’s Next!

She's an absolute superstar, when I say who does it all, she does it all. She's already won two Emmys, a Golden Globe, and she is only getting started. Y'all please, I know you worked here on the Warner Brothers lot. I did. Because I know- We were neighbors for a little while, for like four months. And then I heard you have your dog, Noon. Yes. And Tom takes Noon around for walks. So does Noon like being on set? Yes, Noon, I honestly think, it's my kids. Yeah, no, I honestly think that he's probably more comfortable on a set than like at a dog park at this point. Really? Yeah, he's just, he's been like my little companion. He's 10 years old now. So, you know, dogs, they just give you such beautiful- 10 years old? Yeah, such beautiful, unconditional love. And it's like when I'm having tough days on set, because those do happen. And it can be, you know, long hours and you're just really, really stressed or an emotional scene. Coming back to the trailer and seeing that face. It gives you a certain type of comfort, right? It does. That's how I feel about my cats, Zendaya. Yeah. But if I walk my cats around this lot, I may not get them back, you know. It's different for the cats. Different for cats. Yeah. Because, you know, what's so nice about like walking the dog around a lot is like, I get to kind of just be normal a little bit. Yeah. So I get to walk around and nobody's really looking at me. And I just get to like- Just be. I'm just taking my dog for a walk in the park and nobody's around. Yes. And I don't have to worry about what I look like, because sometimes like I'll be in the middle of shooting something because we're shooting Euphoria here. And so I have like cuts and bruises on my face and I'm walking around and people are like- Those are the only looks I got. Like, you okay, girl? You always look fabulous. But I'm just blah, blah, blah. Yes. Don't she always look good? Thank you. People are so invested in your life. What's your relationship to fame now? You know, it's a complex thing. And I'm sure you've experienced it as well. You know, it's a balance of how to figure out how much to give of yourself, because I do want to give of myself. And I wouldn't be in this position without the people who support me. And I want to be able to show them how much I care and how thankful I am for their support. But then in the same, you know, on the flip side, it is important to pour into yourself as well and hold things sacred to yourself and to your loved ones and have those moments too. Yep. And create that little healthy boundary there, you know? Because at the end of the day, you have to fill your cup too. So I just try to like, yeah, try to find that balance. And there's really no- There's no, like, blueprint. There's no roadmap. Like, we don't know what we're doing. We're just figuring this out every day. And I definitely don't know what I'm doing. But I'm just trying to, like, take my time and do my best. And yeah, that's all I really can do, you know? We gotta talk about your historic dress. You wore the Essence Black Women in Hollywood event. This beautiful dress. I don't know if she wore this dress exactly. But Law had had his eyes out on this dress. And I think he originally saw it because of- Sarah Jessica Parker. Because of Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City, the movie, I believe. And he was like, I gotta get my hands on that dress. And then he looked a little bit deeper and saw this beautiful image of the one and only Whitney Houston. It just felt like a perfect time to pay homage at that particular event. Thank you for that. You look gorgeous in everything that you wear. Thank you. I just gotta ask you, girl, how big is your closet? Listen, listen. I do have- I have a closet. But I also have an archive. Okay. Right? So some things that I wear, I can put them away for a while. And then maybe one day in the future, I'll wear them again. Yeah? For the drama premiere, we whipped out one from the archive. Oh, yes, you did! You sure did. So does that mean that's like your favorite look? Or do you ever have a favorite look? Because all your looks be so fabulous. Well, thank you. I don't know if I have a favorite. But I do think that they do mark such important times in your life and transitional moments in your life as you grow. And so holding on to them, I just hope like- I want to be able to re-wear my clothes when I'm older. Kids maybe one day can wear them. Or some other young person that's coming up can wear them. But yeah. So I hold on to them. While you was at the event, you got to see the Love Island USA star Orlandria. Yes! And you seemed starstruck. Are you a big fan? Yes. You know, it's one of those things that's like- I feel like people- And I went up to her and I'm like, I'm sorry I'm doing like this parasocial relationship thing because I know how that feels sometimes. But I just wanted to say hello because that show was like- While it was, again, going through euphoria. It's a very hardcore show. It was like my moment of levity between being able to- We would like- That was our release. You know what I mean? We could get sucked into somebody else's drama. You know what I mean? For a second. I love how you said that. Well, we have a surprise message clip for you. So take a look. Hi, Z. I just want to say congratulations on your new film, The Drama. I want to just say you're so beautiful inside and out. And so inspirational, not only to me, but to so many people for so many reasons. Like I said, when I first met you, girl, you were my childhood. And for me to still be keeping up with you at the ripe age of 27 should show you how iconic you are. And I'm so happy to now call you a friend. That is exciting. Something I would never thought I would be able to do. So, love you, girl. Keep killing it. And just know we're all watching the movie for you. Bye. It means so much to me that she's so beautiful and eloquent and is doing such a beautiful job and looking gorgeous everywhere she goes. And no, it means so much to me because I feel it's so special to me when people say they've been able to grow up with me. And we're all figuring this out and doing this together. And yeah, that really deeply touches me. And I thank her for that. And I know that my little niece who was also, she's grown, but she's my little niece, who was also watching that season. She was the one who made me watch. She was like, you got to watch this season. And I was like, okay, she's going to freak out about that. Yay. Are you going to get cool point? Oh, yes, yes, absolutely. You have been in some incredible films yourself that we all know and love. So which character of yours you feel influenced you the most? You know, I think that's difficult to say just because each character is a marker in your life and you learn something new with each person about yourself. Because while characters might be different or inherently different, the emotions are similar and human connection is similar. And you can always find an entry point to these characters and they can teach you so much about yourself and what's already inside of yourself. So I feel like, you know, I learned so much from Rue. I'm so grateful to have played her. And thank you. She definitely opened up my heart in a major way and taught me so much. I think Spider-Man, like I grew up. They probably should make these movies that like I watched as a kid, you know, and met my best friend in the whole world there. And yeah, so I'm so grateful for that. And then Dune taught me. I mean, it's like, I'm so lucky that I get to. Just hearing you say all of these roles in major films is like, wow. What is it like for you when you hear yourself think of all the things you've gotten to do? It's honestly, it doesn't sound even real to myself. Like when people are like, what's your year looking like? I'm like, do you have time? I mean, yeah. But it is, it's a very busy year. And I'm so grateful because I do. I love, I love my job and I love working. And sometimes the promoting part can get hard. And, you know, I'm a very kind of quiet person. So like knowing that I'm like, okay, we're going to be outside for a year. And I know people are going to be like, okay, girl, we've seen you a lot. Don't worry. I'm taking a little break after this. We will be going back into hiding for a little bit. But, you know, I just, I am in immense gratitude. Every woman has told me that the 30s are the best. It is. And some say, yeah, they felt that. Yes. And I feel that way too, because I think 20s can be a little chaotic. You're figuring so much out and everybody's like 30s. Like, you know yourself better. Like, you know what you want. And I'm looking forward to it. I'm like, not afraid of it. I think like in my mid 20s, I was like, oh, 30s are on the corner. Girl, what is happening? And now I'm just kind of like, absolutely. Let's get to it. I'm over the 20s now. You got it. I'm over it. Tom said you make an amazing spicy vodka pasta. What's something he makes for you that you love? You know, it's really cute. So his brother is a chef and he came out with a cookbook recently. It's really sweet because Tom will whip it out and he'll be like, okay, I'm going to find all the vegetarian things and I'm going to try different recipes for my brother for you to try. It's really sweet. So he's actually probably, I mean, now he'll know that I'm admitting this. The better cook. I was going to ask that next. Like, girl, you're a good cook. I try my best. I got a few things that I'm, my spicy vodka pasta is very good. I got a few things that I can do that I like, you know, I stick with that. Okay. But I think he might be better at it than me. What's the hardest stunt you've ever done? Ever done? Hardest stunt I've ever done. Um, I would have to say back when I did Greatest Showman, there was some pretty intense. I love that movie. That's my favorite movie. There was some really, there was that, you know, the scene with Zach and I where we're doing all the, yes. So during that number, there was quite a bit of, I don't know. We went through it with that one. It was tough, but it was so special. Yeah. And then second, I'd say also is Euphoria. There's been some, I've injured myself a few times doing stuff. Oh, okay. Are you a call, FaceTime or text kind of person? FaceTime. You're FaceTime? FaceTime or cold FaceTime. Really? Let's get right to it. You know, face to face. I want to see you. Yeah. Girl, if you FaceTime me Zendaya, we just not speaking, honey. What? You hate it? So many people. Okay. So, so many people hate it, but I just like text messages. I do. I can't keep up. I forget. Or I'll like, you know, you ever type something, but you never remember to finish and send it. So I'm like, just call me so I can just be like, yo, what's up? And then I like to see people. You know what I mean? What's your feel good go-to rom-com then? I don't know if Shrek counts. Shrek is my, that's my movie and people who know me know that. Like it's a, it's a, it's a pivotal movie in my life. It meant so much to me growing up. I feel like it's also one of those films that's like, I watched it so much as a kid and I didn't get a lot of the adult humor in it. And then as an adult, I'm like, that is really crazy that they got that in there. Right? You get to experience it a different way now. A different way now. But it's definitely one of my comfort movies. I will throw that on anytime. What is your current go-to karaoke song? Current go-to karaoke song? I hate karaoke. If I'm being honest. You do? Do you know why? Because I just feel like it's like, I feel like there's pressure to do it well for some reason. You know what I mean? Like I feel like I'm supposed to really sing well. And I'm like, I don't, I don't really want to. I want to be like, people are good. I want to be fun and I want to whatever, without somebody being like, you know what I mean? So I think I'm a little too self-critical sometimes to do karaoke. But I feel like, oh man, I guess this morning because I wore another outfit inspired by Prince last night. So I would definitely, I've been singing Prince all morning. Yeah? What's your favorite Prince song? That is an impossible question to answer. I know, that's a tough one. But this morning I was listening to I Want to Be Your Lover. So that was my getting ready song. What's the weirdest rumor you've heard about yourself? Girl. Another thing every Wednesday. Is it? Yes. And like, you know, my grandma would call and be like, is this true? You know, and I'm like, no, grandma, that's AI. You know, so I, yes, I have been, I couldn't even name the amount of. You probably can't keep up. It just keep coming. Oh my goodness. Like, where is it? What is this? Who is doing this? How do you feel about tattoos? I, yeah, I like tattoos. My mom, actually, I convinced her to get her first tattoo at 50 years old. Really? I drew it for her. Oh, that's nice. And and since then she calls me and whenever she's like just randomly and she'll be like getting a new tattoo. She's covered now. She's basically like sleeved up. Oh, you started something. Literally, she's covered. And it's like, she's like a walking piece of art. You said you're working on hobbies outside of acting. What are they? Hobbies outside of acting? Um, I'm doing great with that New Year's resolution as of yet. Um, but I think there are lots of things I want to try. I really, I've tried pottery a few times and I've really found that kind of meditative and and fun. Just something creative to do with your hands. And um, uh, what else? Uh, I like to paint sometimes. So I have my art supplies that's probably all dried out and crusty now. But I need to bring it out some more and actually practice. My one of my best friends, Hunter, she's a beautiful artist. And she's always trying to get me to to paint more. But I'm like, girl, like when I see your work, I'm like, why am I even trying? You know? But um, but yeah, I think I just need to pick up a few more things. But those are a couple of things I want to try a little bit more. As we know, fans love to make AI photos of, you know, some of us. I'll be like, that is not me. Who is this? Okay. How do you feel about? And it's getting better. It is. But it seems to be something slightly young. Yes, it's unsettling. Well, that's because we know what we look like better than anybody. Yes, like that is not my knee. Okay, you can tell by like something like that. You're like, that's not what my knees look like. It's just not. Who is someone who you haven't worked with yet that you want to work with? Oh, man. And is there anybody left? Oh, goodness. You know, I would love to work with Ryan Coogler. And for years, I felt this way since Whoville Station, because I thought that was such a beautiful and powerful film. But I'm from Oakland, too. And I remember when that happened. And so he means so much to the world, but he also means so much to us. And I always joke, I'm like, I know I don't know you, but I feel like you're my cousin. You know what I mean? He sounds like my family. His accent is so strong and so Oakland. And he just makes beautiful work. Absolutely beautiful work. So talented. And so, yeah, I definitely put him. Please make that happen. We definitely need to see that. 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