Tom Holland and Zendaya have become one of Hollywood’s favorite couples, though their relationship kept fans speculating for years. Starring together as Peter Parker and ‘MJ’ in Marvel’s Spider-Man series, they brought a comic book romance to life long before making their real-life relationship public.
The actors brushed off dating rumors for about five years, with Tom telling GQ that all the speculation made him feel “uncomfortable.” Still, they seemed destined to be together, and in 2021, they confirmed their relationship. While they keep most details private, the Euphoria and Chaos Walking stars now appear more comfortable expressing their love.
How They Met
The pair first crossed paths in 2016, when Zendaya auditioned for Spider-Man: Homecoming. Recalling their first meeting in a 2017 interview, Zendaya shared, “He said that when we first met, he went for a handshake, and I went in for a hug, but I don’t remember that at all. Everything seemed fine to me.”
Their friendship quickly deepened, and Tom mentioned to People magazine that they had become “like the best of friends,” adding, “She’s so great and amazing.” Despite their on-screen romance as Spider-Man and MJ, both insisted that their connection was purely friendship for a long time.
Dating Rumors
Exactly when they began dating remains unclear, as Tom and Zendaya avoided relationship questions for quite a while before opening up in 2021. Although rumors of romance began circulating as early as 2017, it appears they were genuinely close friends initially.
Their birthday posts for each other on social media hinted at a strong friendship before they officially began dating. For Zendaya’s 21st birthday in 2017, Tom shared a playful post on Instagram, teasing about their height difference by saying, “Thinking about how to get taller.” He then followed it with a sweet message: “Happy birthday mate. Miss you and I’ll have a drink for you #21stbirthday”.
In 2019, for Tom’s 23rd birthday, Zendaya shared a candid photo featuring herself, Tom, their Spider-Man: No Way Home co-star Jacob Batalon, and her assistant Darnell Appling on Instagram, captioned, “Happy birthday weirdo, thanks for being the wonderful person you are; we’re all very lucky to have you and your weirdness”.
At the end of that year, the Spider-Man actor disclosed in an interview with Elle magazine that he was single, refuting rumors about dating his co-star.
Going Public
In 2021, their relationship became public when paparazzi captured them sharing a kiss in a car. Tom told GQ that they felt their privacy had been compromised. After the photos emerged, the couple chose to keep their romance mostly private but began to express their affection for each other more openly on social media. To celebrate Zendaya’s 25th birthday in 2021, Tom shared a beautiful photo of them from their filming days, along with a heartfelt message: “My MJ, have the happiest of birthdays. Call me when you wake up xxx.” Later that year, Zendaya returned the favor, referring to him as “my Spider-Man” in an Instagram post celebrating the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home. During the film’s promotional activities, they showed public displays of affection, and since then, they have frequently been seen on dates.
Home in London
In 2022, the young couple elevated their relationship by purchasing a $3 million home in London, just four miles from Tom’s childhood home in Kingston-upon-Thames. Tom and Zendaya traveled from Los Angeles to pick up the keys to their new residence. According to The Mirror, the couple has ambitious renovation plans for the six-bedroom house, which include a cinema, gym, and a man cave for Tom. A source noted, “They are overjoyed about the house and having their first home together. They are very much in love and wanted their initial home to be in London, where Tom grew up. Everyone is excited for them.”
Engagement Rumors
Although Tom and Zendaya’s relationship appears to be progressing well, they don’t seem ready to get engaged just yet. For now, they appear satisfied with their roles as boyfriend and girlfriend. However, in March 2023, Zendaya showcased a gold signet ring engraved with the initials “TH” after getting a manicure. It remains unclear if the ring belonged to the Spider-Man star or if Zendaya had it custom-made in honor of her partner, but both possibilities are quite romantic!
After Zendaya won an Emmy for Euphoria in 2022, she provided another sweet glimpse into their comfort discussing their relationship publicly. When asked by E! Online who she reached out to first to celebrate her win, Zendaya affectionately said, “I didn’t have to text my mom because she was already there… I texted my boyfriend.”
In a podcast with Jay Shetty in July 2023, Tom rarely shared his views on keeping their relationship private. He referred to their bond as “the most sacred thing,” saying, “I try my best to keep it private… We both feel that it’s the healthiest way to continue as a couple, so I try to keep my distance from Hollywood as much as possible.”
Memorable Dates
In mid-February 2022, the couple was seen engaging in one of the cutest couple activities—outfit twinning—at an ice hockey game between the New York Rangers and the Red Wings. Adding to the sweetness of the moment, they sported each other’s hockey jerseys; Tom wore a shirt with “Zendaya” on the back, while Zendaya donned one that said “Holland.”
A year later, in February 2023, Zendaya turned heads by showcasing four stunning outfits in less than 24 hours at the SAG and NAACP Image Awards. Tom responded to her glamorous looks by posting numerous heart-eye emojis on each of her photos from the evening, a sweet gesture that sent fans into a frenzy over their adorable relationship.
In late March 2023, the couple was spotted several times around London, enjoying their time together. While paparazzi captured them during outings to parks and a grocery store, they were delighted to pose for some photos at a Michelin-starred restaurant, which later shared the images on its social media.
In the spring of 2023, Tom and Zendaya visited Mumbai, India, to attend the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre gala, and they turned the trip into a private vacation afterward. Evidence of this was found in a photo of the couple shared on Instagram by yacht chartering service Blue Bay Marine, showing them relaxing on one of their yachts.
On April 8, 2023, the adorable couple was spotted enjoying a date at Hampton Court Palace in England. After their visit, one of the palace’s tour guides posted on Instagram that the couple was “the sweetest and most friendly,” sharing several photos that showed the famous duo happily posing with staff while they enjoyed learning about the palace’s history.
Fans got another chance to celebrate the special relationship between the Spider-Man stars on June 1, 2023, when, as per tradition, Zendaya posted a sweet tribute for her boyfriend on his birthday. After spending the day swimming and surfing, the Euphoria actress shared two photos of Tom on her Instagram Stories. In the first photo, he was making a heart shape with his hands while swimming, and in the second, he was smiling happily on the beach.
In October 2024, when Tom launched his non-alcoholic beer brand, Zendaya attended the launch party with her boyfriend.
