Zendaya, famed for her roles and now netting her first lead in a tennis movie, appears to have everything one could desire in life.
However, the former Disney star admits to grappling with her confidence and harbors concerns about raising children under the scrutiny of the spotlight.
Zendaya and Tom Holland, both 27, have been romantically involved since 2021, having initially met on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming five years prior.
In an interview with Vogue, Zendaya reflects on her future in the public eye, questioning if she desires perpetual fame:
“I don’t necessarily want my kids to have to deal with this [fame]. And what does my future look like? Am I going to be a public-facing person forever?”
Despite her prominence as a pop star, she expresses a desire to start a family eventually, citing her role as a devoted aunt to her nieces and nephews. She admires how her partner, Tom, gracefully navigates fame:
“I definitely watched his life kind of change in front of him. But he handled it really beautifully.”
Acknowledging her status as an A-lister, Zendaya remarks,
“You just kind of get used to the fact that, ‘Oh, I’m also one of these art pieces you’re going to take a picture of.’ I just gotta be totally cool with it and just live my life.”
She reminisces about her past experiences, feeling compelled to oblige every fan request for a picture but now recognizing the importance of setting boundaries:
“And while I still feel that way, I also have learnt that I can say no, and I can say kindly that I’m having a day off, or I’m just trying to be myself today, and I don’t actually have to perform all the time.”
Zendaya’s interview coincides with the promotion of her latest film, Challengers, marking her debut as the sole lead with her name prominently featured in promotions.
She admits feeling daunted by this new phase in her career, particularly considering her struggles with confidence stemming from her academic experiences.
She reflects,
“Now, when I have these moments in my career – like, my first time leading a film that’s actually going to be in a theatre – I feel like I shrink.”
Despite her reservations, Zendaya continues to navigate the demands of Hollywood promotion, including the upcoming tour for ‘Dune: Part Two’.
She acknowledges the importance of peer support in the industry, expressing a desire to see greater diversity among her colleagues:
“I would love to see more that look a little bit more like me around me. I think that is something that is crucial and necessary.”
The May issue of British Vogue, featuring Zendaya, will be available for digital download and on newsstands starting Tuesday, April 23.
