On Jan. 5, the Golden Globes welcomed thousands of pop culture icons to walk the red carpet and while many wore their finest jewels, only one left a lasting impression.
What caught people’s eye at this year’s award show wasn’t the famous actress Zendaya’s dress — it was the diamond rock subtly resting on her left ring finger.
Based on the size of the stone, the ring is estimated to be worth $200,000.
In typical Zendaya fashion, her looks never waver with her So Kate pumps and custom gowns. But this time, it had nothing to do with her stylist Law Roach’s talents.
Rapid speculation about her supposed Jessica Cormack cushion-cut, five-carat ring captured attention and generated buzz among fans and the media.
All she gave paparazzi was a coy nod and subtle smile, shrugging her shoulders in response to bubbling questions, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Zendaya and actor Tom Holland first met on the set of “Spider-Man: Homecoming” in 2016. Cast as love interests, Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, their connection on and off screen led to rumors of a possible relationship fueled by flirtatious interviews and chemistry-filled press tours.
Throughout the filming process, no relationship was confirmed and both actors dated other people after the movie. Zendaya with “Euphoria” star Jacob Elordi, while Holland was seeing British actress Nadia Parks.
Fans lost hope for a possible romance until a video surfaced of Zendaya and Holland kissing in a car in July 2021, exposing their relationship to the public.
The timeline for when exactly they transitioned from friends to lovers is blurry. But if not for the paparazzi, how long would it have stayed hidden?
In September 2021, they made their relationship official on Instagram when Holland made a post for Zendaya’s 25th birthday: “My MJ, have the happiest of birthdays, Gimme a call when your [sic] up xxx.”
This hard launch elevated their relationship to a new level of public attention, further pushing them into the spotlight.
Throughout their relationship, Zendaya and Holland have carefully limited what they share about their life together but are also publicly very supportive of each other’s careers.
Holland never hesitates to compliment his life partner on all of her work. He shows up, supports her in various roles and praises her any chance he gets.
In December 2021, he visited the “Euphoria” set “at least 30 times” during Season 2 production while promoting “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
Making each other a priority is one of the many reasons their relationship remains strong after four years. Zendaya spoke to ELLE Magazine in 2024 about how they protect the privacy of their life together while still acknowledging and appreciating fan support of their relationship.
“It’s about protecting the peace and letting things be your own but also not being afraid to exist,” Zendaya said. You can’t hide. That’s not fun, either. I am navigating it more than ever now.”
Finding a balance is key. The most successful relationships don’t need constant exposure or curated “intimate” moments for the tabloids.
The consensus for a thriving relationship in Hollywood is that less is more.
Feeling secure enough in a relationship to keep things private and not needing to prove your happiness suggests something
truly authentic.
Building a deeply committed relationship under the public eye of the press, overly emotional fans, and scrutiny is a feat in itself.
Both Holland and Zendaya are very close with their families. When it came time to pop the question, Holland reportedly got blessings from her parents who are thrilled to welcome him into their family.
Their relationship has brought romance back into Hollywood. I have high hopes that Zendaya and Holland will last and not dwindle in celebrity fashion.
I, for one, can’t wait to see their wedding looks.
