On Friday, January 12, Spider-Man star Tom Holland clarified his relationship status with co-star Zendaya, telling reporters that they are “absolutely not” split up in a video shared by TMZ. Zendaya has unfollowed Holland on Instagram and a number of other people, but it apparently means nothing about her relationship. The actor was very clear about that as he walked to his car in Los Angeles, wearing a bright green hoodie and black baseball cap.
It’s unclear why Zendaya has unfollowed Holland, but it does not appear to be that personal—she is currently following zero people. She and Holland met on the set of the Spider-Man films, where they played love interests Peter Parker and MJ. Rumors of an off-screen relationship began following them in 2017, though it was not confirmed until 2021, when they were photographed sharing a kiss at a stop-light in Los Angeles.
Though they are now open about dating, they continue to keep things fairly private. Holland told The Hollywood Reporter last summer, “Our relationship is something that we are incredibly protective of and we want to keep as sacred as possible. We don’t think that we owe it to anyone, it’s our thing, and it has nothing to do with our careers.”
The Euphoria actress said something similar in an interview with ELLE a few months later.
“Parts of my life, I accept, are going to be public,” she explained. “I can’t not be a person and live my life and love the person I love. But also, I do have control over what I choose to share.”
She added, “It’s about protecting the peace and letting things be your own but also not being afraid to exist. You can’t hide. That’s not fun, either. I am navigating it more than ever now.”
In September, rumors that the pair had become engaged circulated after one of Zendaya’s Instagram Stories showed her wearing a flashy ring. In a rare statement, she clarified in another Story, “I can’t post anything, you guys. I posted it for my hat. Like not for the ring on my right hand, you guys, seriously…You think that’s how I would drop the news? You think, like, what!”
Aimée Lutkin is the weekend editor at ELLE.com. Her writing has appeared in Jezebel, Glamour, Marie Claire and more. Her first book, The Lonely Hunter, will be released by Dial Press in February 2022.