Zendaya and Tom Holland have become one of Hollywood’s most beloved couples, captivating fans with their on-screen chemistry as Peter Parker (Spider-Man) and MJ in the film. Spider Man movies and their off-screen bond. Although they initially kept their relationship private, their connection grew into something public and undeniable, culminating in their engagement in late 2024.
As Zendaya and Tom Holland’s relationship continued to develop, fans were treated to a mix of sweet moments and subtle hints about their growing bond. Their journey started with playful banter on set, which quickly turned into deep affection. Over the years, they were spotted sharing intimate momentswhether attending events together or enjoying quiet outings, always maintaining a sense of privacy amid the public eye.
Despite their busy schedules, the couple continued to support each other’s careers, with Zendaya’s blossoming film career and Tom’s passion for his work as an actor and producer. Their engagement in late 2024 marked a new chapter and cemented their status as one of Hollywood’s most beloved and enduring couples. The timeline of their love story serves as proof of the authenticity and strength of their relationship, both in front of and behind the camera.
Here’s a timeline of their relationship, with the biggest moments from their first meeting to their engagement…
2016: the first meeting
Zendaya and Tom Holland first met in 2016 during auditions for Spider-Man: Homecoming. Both were relatively new to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) at the time: Zendaya was cast as Michelle (later revealed as MJ) and Tom Holland was chosen to play the iconic web-slinger. According to interviews, their first meeting was not overly dramatic, and the two quickly built a friendly, professional relationship.
2017: Early friendship and rumors
@Zendaya Does the press tour count 😂😝 https://t.co/2WsstZPyde
— Tom Holland (@TomHolland1996) July 13, 2017
As filming for Homecoming When Zendaya and Tom started, they started spending more time together on set. Their chemistry was undeniable both on and off screen, sparking rumors that the two may be in a romantic relationship. However, the couple kept their personal lives private and both denied any romantic involvement. Zendaya jokingly called Tom one “good friend” in interviews, and Tom described Zendaya as “amazing” and someone he “Really looking forward to it.”
Tom Holland chose not to address the dating rumors directly. Instead, he and Zendaya took a light-hearted approach, playfully poking fun at the speculation on social media.
Zendaya, known for her role in Dunetweeted: “Wait, wait… my favorite is when it says we’re going on vacation together HA! I haven’t been on holiday in years! Hbu?” Holland replied humorously: “Does the press trip count?” But in December 2017, Holland was reportedly introduced to Zendaya’s parents at a steakhouse in New York City.
2018: a close friendship
The duo starred together again in 2018 Avengers: Infinite War And Avengers: Endgame. Although their characters didn’t share many scenes together, their off-screen bond continued to grow stronger. They spent a lot of time together with the rest of the group Spider Man cast, and fans began to take notice of their growing bond.
Despite ongoing speculation about their relationship, both Zendaya and Tom continued to maintain their platonic friendship in public. However, their mutual admiration for each other was evident in interviews, with Tom calling Zendaya “incredible” and praising her work ethic, while Zendaya showed similar respect for Tom’s dedication.
2019: The Far from home Press Tour
When Spider-Man: Far From Home was released in 2019, Zendaya and Tom’s friendship remained the subject of gossip. The pair’s playful banter during the press tour sparked even more rumors, and fans speculated that they were more than just friends. Yet Zendaya and Tom both denied any romantic involvement, with Tom even stating in interviews that they were “just friends.”
However, their close bond was hard to ignore. Whether they were joking during interviews or posting playful photos together on social media, the duo’s chemistry continued to fuel fans’ hopes that they were more than just colleagues.
2020: Zendaya and Jacob Elordi short romance
Zendaya was rumored to be dating between August 2019 and early to mid 2020 Euphoria co-star Jacob Elordi. Around the same time, in July 2020, Holland shared a photo of the actress Nadia Parkes on his Instagram.
2021: First confirmed relationship rumors
LINDOS! Zendaya and Tom Holland are pics and pics of the car! pic.twitter.com/Ostx718knc
— UpdateCharts (@updatecharts) July 2, 2021
In July 2021, Zendaya and Tom Holland were spotted kissing in a car, confirming what many had suspected for years. The paparazzi photo of the two sharing a private moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in their relationship, which they were finally allowed to see publicly. The two were often seen together at events, and their relationship seemed to grow into something much more than just a secret romance.
Although neither immediately made a public statement about their relationship, Tom and Zendaya both shared subtle acknowledgments of their connection in interviews. Tom mentioned in a People the magazine’s cover stated that it had been “difficult” to maintain privacy in such a high-profile relationship, but that Zendaya was “the best person” he had ever known.
2022-2023: Navigating their relationship publicly
Throughout 2022 and 2023, Zendaya and Tom’s relationship became increasingly visible. They were often seen together at public events such as red carpet premieresand posted photos celebrating each other’s achievements. Their social media accounts also hinted at their growing bond, with Tom sharing photos of Zendaya’s Emmy wins and Zendaya posting support for Tom’s ventures.
In a 2022 interview with British VogueZendaya revealed that her relationship with Tom was something she held close to her heart, preferring to shield their bond from the public eye. Tom echoed these sentiments in interviews, emphasizing the importance of trust and mutual respect in their relationship.
Despite the challenges of being in the spotlight, Zendaya and Tom maintained a grounded relationship, often prioritizing each other and their privacy while also supporting each other’s careers.
2024: the proposal
In 2024, Zendaya and Tom had been together for a few years and their relationship seemed stronger than ever. Both had achieved major milestones in their careers, with Zendaya winning multiple awards for her role in Euphoria and continued to take on a variety of exciting projects, while Tom had several successful ventures, including his role in the Not mapped movie and other MCU appearances.
In a private, intimate setting in late 2024, Tom Holland proposed to Zendaya. The marriage proposal, which is said to have taken place at one of Zendaya’s family homes in the US, was reportedly a very emotional moment. A close friend of the couple described the engagement as one “celebration of their love and devotion” after years of growing together, both personally and professionally.
Zendaya was spotted wearing a beautiful diamond ring and Tom looked excited and visibly emotional. In the days following the engagement, both stars took to social media to share their joy with fans, with Zendaya writing a heartfelt message about how “grateful and lucky” she felt to be with Tom.
Looking ahead
Zendaya and Tom’s relationship is one of the most talked about love stories in recent years, with fans around the world cheering for their good fortune. As they prepare to take the next step in their lives together, many are curious to see where their love story will take them.
Whether it’s their shared passion for acting or their dedication to supporting each other in both their personal and professional lives, it’s clear that Zendaya and Tom Holland have something special. Their engagement marks the beginning of the next chapter in what has already been a magical relationship, and fans are eagerly anticipating what comes next for the couple.
As they continue to deal with the pressures of fame and public criticism, Zendaya and Tom have shown that true love, built on trust and respect, can thrive even in the spotlight. Their journey from friends to partners to now fiancées has been beautiful, and their fans are excited to witness the next chapter in this true love story.
Featured image: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
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