Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Zendaya Reveals Heartbreaking Reason She Never Hung Out In Public With 'Challengers' Costars

Josh O'Connor, Zendaya and Mike Faist
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images

The actor explained how she opted not to join in the fun with her 'Challengers' costars Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor' because she didn't want to ruin their nights due to the paparazzi hounding her.

In her 27 years of life thus far, Zendaya has made quite the career for herself. But with great fame comes lots of sacrifices.

Zendaya's Challengers costars found that out when she revealed she often forewent hanging out in public with them for fear of "making it a not so fun night" due to her celebrity status and the inevitable paparazzi party crashing.


Challengers began filming in 2022—arguably at the height of the Dune star's career up to that point—but wasn't released by its August 2023 target date due to the SAG-AFTRA strike last year.

At the time, Zendaya—already a star for more than a decade—had just finished Dune and Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021. Soon after, she picked up a second Emmy for Euphoria, and began a private—with a very public interest—relationship with her Spider-Man costar Tom Holland.

So, yeah, we can see how her presence anywhere could cause a public frenzy, but it's still unfortunate that it resulted in her missing out on quality time with her Challengers costars.

While speaking with New Zealand magazine Coup de Main alongside Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor, Zendaya opened up about the sacrifices she made in order for the rest of the cast to enjoy their nights out.

Talking about her star status, Zendaya first shared:

"I will say grocery shopping for me has gotten difficult.”

You can watch below.

Zendaya continued:

“My life was starting to change a little bit more while we were shooting, and I remember everybody was going out, and I was like, ‘You know what, I’m not gonna join you because I think it might make your night not so fun, you know?’”

Faist chimed in:

“We would have enjoyed having you regardless."
“We were always like..."

And Zendaya interjected, laughing:

“‘You’re welcome to come!’”

Faist nodded:

“Of course!"

Zendaya then acknowledged:

“Yeah, I know.”

People shared their disappointment that Zendaya's success makes it nearly impossible for her to experience any sense of normalcy, especially in regards to her friends.












Just last week, Zendaya told Vogue she is learning she "can say no."

But she still is learning to balance life and career.

"You have to say yes, because you need to be grateful that you’re here."
“And while I still feel that way, I also have learned that I can say no, and I can say kindly that I’m having a day off, or I’m just trying to be to myself today, and I don’t actually have to perform all the time.”

While she loves the work she does, Zendaya admitted it may not always be the best path for her.

"I don’t necessarily want my kids to have to deal with this."
“And what does my future look like? Am I going to be a public-facing person forever?”

More from Entertainment/celebrities

Sabre; Nancy Mace
@bottleneckloser/Instagram, Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Congressional Integrity Project

Trans Influencer Speaks Out After She's Randomly Targeted By Nancy Mace Online

A trans influencer fired back at MAGA Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina for mocking her about her trans identity on social media and subsequently making her vulnerable to attacks.

Sabre, whose Instagram handle is @bottleneckloser, posted a video stating that the lawmaker "bullied" her recently for being "hot on Twitter.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Elon Musk
Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

YouTube Becomes Unlikely Hero After Play Button Is Perfectly Placed Over Musk's Face

Call it kismet or divine intervention, but sometimes the fates align to inadvertently create something wonderful.

Or hilarious.

Keep ReadingShow less
Elon Musk and Jim Jordan
Terence Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

GOP Account Hit With Blunt Reminder After Shaming Dems For Celebrating Tesla's Downfall

Minnesota Democratic Governor and former vice presidential candidate Tim Walz joined many Americans in a bit of schadenfreude regarding White House advisor Elon Musk’s recent reversal of fortune.

Musk, the self-described leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has seen protests against his actions on behalf of Republican President Donald Trump. Part of those protests include Tesla owners getting rid of their vehicles, buyers boycotting the brand, and stockholders dumping their shares.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rachel Zegler
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/GettyImages

Rachel Zegler Claims 'White Executives' Questioned Her Latina Heritage During 'West Side Story' Casting

Actor Rachel Zegler claimed that skeptical producers questioned her Latina heritage during the casting process for the 2021 West Side Story remake directed by Steven Spielberg.

In the remake of the classic 1961 film adaptation, Zegler starred opposite Ansel Elgort as the star-crossed lovers, Maria and Tony.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trump Hilariously Melts Down Over Awful Portrait Of Him Hanging In CO State Capitol—And People Can't Stop Trolling Him

People can't help but troll President Donald Trump after he complained about a truly awful portrait of him hanging in the Colorado State Capitol building.

On Sunday night, Trump lashed out against Colorado Governor Jared Polis for hanging what he called a "purposefully distorted" portrait of him in the Colorado State Capitol building.

Keep ReadingShow less