Zendaya is ready to disappear for a little while, and honestly, our girl deserves it.
She’s already been on a jam-packed tour for her upcoming film, The Drama, opposite Robert Pattinson, which has people in a tizzy over its controversial anti-rom-com theme and tone.
So it was no surprise that in a recent interview with Fandango, she told the movie site, “I’m disappearing for a little bit. I’m going to have to go into hiding for just a little bit.”
The actress is pulling off a major schedule in 2026. Her releases include The Drama, out April 3. Euphoria returns to HBO for its third and final season on April 12. Then there are back-to-back features with Tom Holland: first is The Odyssey, set to premiere in theaters on July 17, and, as star-crossed lovers in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, set to open on July 31. And let’s not forget Dune: Part Three, slated for December 18.
Maintaining a hyper-visible, but hyper-controlled image is a feat in itself. At the Essence Black Women In Hollywood awards last month in Los Angeles, she deftly handled the red carpet calls to Mrs. Holland. Her stylist, Law Roach, had announced on the NAACP carpet that she and Holland had already gotten hitched—without so much of an engagement announcement—and we had all missed it. (For the record, neither Zendaya, Holland, nor their teams have confirmed or denied this statement.)
Taking time off in an industry that demands constant output, from your work to your social media standing, may seem like a radical choice, but it’s an important one, especially for Black women. Historically, we’ve been expected to work beyond our means, outperforming nearly all our peers, and given barely a pat on the back for our efforts. Zendaya may be number one on the call sheet, which means she’s calling the shots when and where, but it doesn’t preclude her from being expected to deliver an output at an almost impossible level, and maybe even more so since she’s leading the charge in the room.
During her 2024 Challengers press tour, Zendaya told EBONY, “Being a producer means … I’m looking after [the cast and crew] and they have what they need to feel supported.” That means she’s looking after everyone who works with her, and that, in itself, can be exhausting.
While Zendaya softened the blow with an appreciative, “I just hope people don’t get sick of me… I really appreciate everyone who supports any of the movies … supports my career in any kind of way.”
We totally understand the need for time off, to rest, recharge, and reset. And a little mystery does go a long way. If we know anything about Zendaya, she’ll come back stronger and more in demand than ever.