After Zendaya’s longtime stylist Law Roach casually hinted during The Actor Awards red carpet that she and her rumored fiancé Tom Holland had already gotten married, and we all “missed it,” the internet did what it does best — spiral with theories.
While there’s no confirmation of the truth of his statement — neither actor nor their reps have come out to confirm or deny Roach’s declaration — one thing is certain: Gen Z has been choosing ceremonies that are small and private.
And yes, some are even in secret.
Myha’la just recently revealed that she and her longtime partner, Armando Rivera, have actually been married for over a year. The Industry star posted a carousel of photos showing her low-key ceremony at home with just family and close friends in attendance.
Back in 2021, past EBONY cover star Issa Rae only revealed she had married businessman Louis Diame after the fact, through a few stylish posts on Instagram.
“I do think there’s a quiet shift happening. We’ve watched an entire era grow up online where everything is shared, displayed, and often performed. In that context, their decision to be intentional and private about their relationship feels thoughtful. It reads less like secrecy and more like discernment,” explained Dr. Riana Elyse Anderson, clinical psychologist and Associate Professor at Columbia University’s School of Social Work.
“There’s a mindfulness in choosing what to keep sacred, especially in a world that encourages constant visibility. That feels like a pendulum swing from the past decade of living life in real time on social media. By being deliberate about what they share, they’re protecting their relationship from external expectations and outside influence. It’s a boundary-setting move that reflects maturity more than anything else.”
With smaller, more intimate ceremonies, Gen Z and late-millennial couples are taking control of who has a say in their wedding and how the news of their union is shared with the world. That’s not just a mental shift, but one that affects the visual imagery that accompanies a smaller celebration.
“There is something incredibly powerful about standing in a room filled only with the people who truly matter,” Yemi Osunkoya, the Nigerian-British bridal designer behind Kosibah, told EBONY.
“For many celebrities and high-end clients, intimacy is now the ultimate luxury. It allows the couple to design a wedding that reflects who they are rather than what is expected. Smaller does not mean less. It often means deeper, richer and more meaningful.”
In addition, with costs soaring, many Gen Z couples are forgoing the large expense and putting it towards what they really need within the union after the wedding: home, family, and future life investments.
Marriage is an intimate act between two people that hopefully lasts a lifetime, and that’s never been guaranteed by the size of your wedding party or how many photos are uploaded online leading up to the big day. For Next Gen, it’s become less about making the “I do’s” a big spectacle and more about focusing on commitment for commitment’s sake.