Tom and Zendaya’s Last Stop (for now)

Tom Holland and Zendaya have been on a full-time press tour for a couple of months now with both The Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Last night’s LA premiere was the last red carpet and they can head back inside soon… for now. Because for her she has Dune 3 coming up in the fall but for both of them, if The Odyssey is an Oscar contender, and I can’t imagine that it won’t be, they’ll likely be working the campaign circuit in some capacity later this year. Still, it won’t be like what we’ve seen in the final days of the Brand New Day promotional cycle – cute little moments, them celebrating a whole decade of being involved in this version of Spider-Man, and how it’s also, really, their origin story.

For Zendaya, her look for the last carpet is Ashi Studio, a dramatic black gown with giant puffs and a puffy tail, and dark makeup, her hair also styled with some edge. Which some people are reading to mean that some sinister sh-t is happening to MJ in this movie.

@entertainmenttonight Should we be scared that Zendaya has been wearing a lot of black dresses on the ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ press tour? 🫠 #zendaya #spiderman ♬ original sound - ⋆˙⟡♡

I’m not convinced that it’s necessarily about MJ as it is about transition. Because my first thought when I saw this dress is that it’s the perfect fashion bridge to her next project which, as noted, is Dune 3. And doesn’t part of her dress look like the sand worm?

@varietymagazine #Zendaya brings an iconic look to the #SpiderManBrandNewDay ♬ som original - exclusivity

That would be so Zendaya and Law Roach, to connect the two movies in this way. But, obviously, we’ll know soon enough if there’s any truth to those theories about MJ and what might happen to her. So far the reviews for Brand New Day are looking strong, currently over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, although I have seen a couple of critics here and there express how disappointed they are with where the story goes. Sarah screened it last night and her review will be posted Friday which is when I’m seeing it and I am SO excited – to see it and to wear my Spider-Man tee that I bought last year at CCXP and have been saving just for this. Where I live it’s showing a lot of full theatres. Like I said yesterday, the box office will be massive for this movie, it’s just a matter how huge this historic achievement will be for Tomdaya, likely the first couple in box office history to be together in the top two movies at the box office.

Back to the fashion – Tom was actually asked about Z’s looks, and the way we all anticipate the looks. Or, rather, he was asked about his “wife’s” looks. I see what you’re doing there, and I like the game, but I’m also not sure we have to keep playing it because it’s a firm fact now.

@entertainmenttonight Tom Holland getting to see all of Zendaya’s press tour looks before they hit the red carpet is husband perks #tomholland #zendaya #spiderman#spidermanbrandnewday ♬ original sound - Entertainment Tonight

And here’s her response about how he knows in advance what the looks will be. As an observer, not an active participant because translation: his opinion is not necessary!

@entertainmenttonight Of course, Tom Holland gets a sneak peek at Zendaya's red carpet looks. And of course, he has no notes. #zendaya #tomholland #spiderman #spidermanbrandnewday ♬ original sound - Entertainment Tonight

For Zendaya, though, it’s important to keep in mind that she approaches it as part of her work, and takes the responsibility very seriously in order to support the work of the entire team. She had a great answer about this while doing a roundtable with the women of The Odyssey – Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, and Anne Hathaway. Charlize was gagged, she was like your style, the fits, so f-cking good and we don’t need a reason, just serve! And Z was like, yes, I do… but there’s also strategy!

Charlize saying Zendaya’s red carpet fashion makes her want to buy a ticket to the film Zendaya elaborated that a large part of her approach is about keeping the moviegoing experience alive, using fashion to build excitement. https://t.co/FuFYwhYayF pic.twitter.com/5ROPRmtWNO

— Ara (@lefilmara) July 27, 2026

That entire interview is worth the watch, half an hour, so if you have time, or want to save for later, it’s here. I love this about her, that she somehow manages to balance thoughtful and silly and style and glamour all at the same time.