Actor Zendaya, who has grown up in the public eye and is among Hollywood’s most closely watched stars, has opened up about how she evaluates relationships and recognises red flags in people. In a rare, candid reflection, the actor spoke about the importance of kindness, behaviour away from the spotlight and personal boundaries.
Speaking in a recent interaction quoted by E! News, Zendaya said that observing how people behave when the cameras are off matters deeply to her. “One thing that works for us at work is how people treat their crews,” she said. “I admire people who are kind to everyone, not just actors, directors or producers. A very telling thing is how a crew feels about a particular actor, because they get to see how people are when the cameras are not rolling.”
The actor also said she often judges a person’s character by how they treat animals. “I would get into a fight over my dog, for sure,” Zendaya said, adding, “Dogs are a good judge of character.”
Acknowledging that relationships are rarely simple, Zendaya noted that people are shaped by layered experiences and personal growth. “People are layered and complex, and they make mistakes,” she said, pointing out that cultural differences and evolving perspectives can influence behaviour.
At the same time, she stressed the importance of recognising unacceptable conduct. “There are cultural differences, but there are also things that are just rude or mean,” she said, adding that drawing those boundaries is essential.
Zendaya, who has been in a relationship with actor Tom Holland since 2021, has largely kept her personal life private. However, in a previous interview, she spoke about what drew her to him.
“I’m more shy and kind of quiet, so it takes a little bit more to pull me out of my shell,” she had said. “But he’s great at talking to people and getting to know them,” she added, as quoted by E! News.
Zendaya is currently seen across major global film franchises and in the HBO series Euphoria, where her performances have earned critical acclaim. She will next be seen in The Drama, co-starring Robert Pattinson.
