Zendaya and Tom Holland’s relationship has been the subject of fan fascination since they were first cast together in Spider-Man: Homecoming. After years of speculation, the couple officially confirmed their romance in 2021, making them one of Hollywood’s most beloved pairs.
Here’s how long Zendaya and Tom Holland have been dating and why their private yet supportive relationship continues to captivate fans worldwide.
Zendaya and Tom Holland relationship history
Zendaya and Tom Holland confirmed their relationship in 2021 after years of rumors and speculation. The pair met in 2016 when they were cast as Peter Parker and MJ in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Homecoming. While their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, both actors insisted for years that they were just friends (via People).
The two first crossed paths on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming in mid-2016. Their friendship blossomed quickly, and they began appearing on each other’s social media. Holland posted a poolside picture with Zendaya in July 2016, and they made their first joint magazine cover appearance for The Hollywood Reporter in November that year. Fans started speculating about a possible romance, but both Zendaya and Holland laughed off the rumors.
By mid-2017, during the promotional tour for Spider-Man: Homecoming, the pair’s playful red-carpet banter further fueled dating speculation. In July of that year, a source told People that they had started “seeing each other” while filming. Both actors, however, denied the claims, with Zendaya putting out a post on X (formerly Twitter) that she hadn’t been on vacation in years when fans suggested they traveled together.
Their close bond continued to spark rumors. Holland’s Instagram posts in 2018 and 2019, particularly a sweet birthday message for Zendaya, made headlines. Despite this, fans linked both actors to other people. Rumors suggested that Zendaya dated her Euphoria co-star Jacob Elordi, and Holland reportedly dated actress Nadia Parkes.
In July 2021, everything changed when the two were photographed sharing a kiss at a stoplight in Los Angeles, as per Page Six. This moment went viral, effectively confirming their relationship. Soon after, they were spotted visiting Zendaya’s mother’s house, further solidifying their romance.
After their kiss went public, Zendaya and Holland began subtly acknowledging their relationship. In September 2021, Holland posted a sweet birthday message for Zendaya, calling her “My MJ,” to which she responded warmly. By the end of 2021, the couple attended events together. At the London premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Holland admired Zendaya on the red carpet.
In 2022, the couple made appearances together at several events, including a romantic date night in New York City and a cozy dinner with Holland’s family in London (via Elle). They continued to support each other’s careers. Zendaya often visited Holland during his theater run in London’s West End, while Tom attended Zendaya’s Dune premieres.
In interviews, both actors have opened up about the challenges of maintaining a private relationship in the spotlight. Holland shared that he values their privacy and avoids attending Zendaya’s premieres to ensure that the focus remains on her. Zendaya, in turn, has spoken about the importance of protecting their peace and enjoying life without hiding their love.
Their love story continues to captivate fans, with each public appearance and social media post offering a glimpse into their strong and supportive relationship.
