Tom Holland says Zendaya is essential to both his personal life and career.
During his appearance on the latest episode of the Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast, the 30-year-old star was asked about working alongside Zendaya, 29, and what he learns from her as an actress and collaborator.
“I think what I love about watching her work as an actress is she's just fearless. She's just like absolutely 10 toes down. Like, ‘I'm going to give this everything,’” Holland said near the 57-minute mark in the video linked here.
“I think when you watch her as Rue in [Euphoria], she could not be more different to who she is in real life. Then if you see her as Emma in The Drama, it's just such a different performance, but with no less intent or passion or drive.”
He added, “I think she's I think she's the best actor going. I really think she has something special.”
Poehler and Holland also discussed how helpful it can be when partners share the same profession since they understand each other's pressures. Holland described the instability and visibility of working in the film industry from shoots to high-pressure press tours. He described having someone who truly understands that experience is grounding.
“It's so nice to have someone that understands that in such a personal way so that you can talk each other down, or you can big each other up,” he explained. “It's a lifeline. It really is. I couldn't imagine doing what I do without her.”
Holland then shared an example from filming the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day with Zendaya and director Destin Daniel Cretton.
He recalled questioning a scene during Zendaya's coverage, saying, “Do you think that this scene is working?" and she replied, "No, I don't think this scene is working at all." He also surveyed producers on the set, who also agreed with their instincts.
Holland said he brought the concern to Cretton, who listened and agreed that the scene needed to be changed. The team ultimately paused production and rewrote the scene before reshooting it the next day.
“I'm so glad that we did because it sings in the movie, it really does,” Holland said of the scene. “It was just so funny, like, I was thinking about if this wasn't Zendaya that I was sitting across from— imagine [being] on someone else's coverage being like, ‘Do you think this is working?’”
Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which stars Holland and Zendaya, hits theaters on July 31.
