Zendaya’s profound insights offer not just a window into her life but a masterclass in emotional intelligence.
Image: Instagram/@zendaya
When it comes to navigating relationships, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula.
But actress Zendaya, 29, celebrated for her grounded perspective and artistry, recently opened up about the red flags she’s learned to spot, offering fans insight into what healthy love truly looks like.
In an era where relationships are frequently romanticised, Zendaya’s reflections serve as a reminder of the importance of recognising the signs that something might not be right.
Red flags, as psychologists explain, are behaviours or circumstances that suggest potential issues in a relationship.
While they’re not always immediate dealbreakers, they are signals worth paying attention to.
“A red flag is behaviour that indicates that a partner may not be right for you,” experts say. These could range from dishonesty and manipulation to subtler signs, like how someone treats others.
Zendaya shared her take during a candid conversation with Robert Pattinson for "Interview" magazine.
“As I’ve matured, I think a red flag is a red flag, you feel me?” she said. Her perspective is refreshingly simple yet profound: the way someone treats others, particularly those in less glamorous roles, speaks volumes.
“One that works for us at work is how people treat their crews. I admire people who are kind to everyone, not just the 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 aren’t rolling.”
This advice is particularly poignant for Zendaya and her fiancé, Tom Holland, who share a notoriously private but evidently respectful and supportive relationship.
She has been with her fiancé since 2021 after meeting on the set of "Spider-Man: Homecoming". They got engaged in late 2024. Their foundation of mutual kindness and humility is a stark contrast to the often chaotic dynamics seen in Hollywood headlines.
Zendaya opens up about vital relationship red flags in a candid conversation with Robert Pattinson, offering insights that remind us of the importance of kindness, respect, and authenticity in love.
Image: Social media/X
Beyond how people treat others, Zendaya touched on a universal truth about relationships: humans are layered.
“Yes and no,” she said when asked if you can instinctively know someone upon meeting them. “People are layered and complex, and they make mistakes. There are cultural differences. But there are also things that are just kind of, ‘Well, that’s rude. That’s mean'.”
Her comments show that relationships are emotionally complex. Sometimes you think you know someone, but later you find out more about them, for better or worse. It’s a reminder that relationships require ongoing growth and understanding, not just quick judgments.
For Zendaya, not liking her dog, Noon, is a dealbreaker. “I would get into a fight over my dog, for sure,” she joked. Still, there’s truth in her humour; she believes pets can sense character in ways people can’t.
“Dogs are a good judge of character,” she said, which many pet owners would agree with.
Noon, her miniature schnauzer, is more than just a pet; he’s family. “They get their fancy meals with the vitamin supplements,” she admitted with a laugh. “It sounds ridiculous, but I love my child.” Holland, too, has formed a special bond with Noon, further solidifying the couple’s shared values of care and kindness.
In 2024, Zendaya shared with "Vanity Fair": “His favourite place is probably anywhere my mom is, Darnell [Appling, my friend] is, or Tom is.”
Despite their fame, Zendaya and Holland manage to keep their relationship grounded by prioritising privacy.
“At the end of the day, you’re a public figure, and there’s nothing you can do, but some things are meant for yourself and your loved ones,” Zendaya explained.
Zendaya’s insights offer a masterclass in emotional maturity and self-awareness. Her reflections remind us that relationships, whether romantic, platonic, or professional, are defined by respect, kindness and authenticity.
These are universally applicable lessons, whether you are observing how a person treats others or choosing to trust a pet's instincts.