Tom Holland Rescues Zendaya From Swarm of Paparazzi, Proving He's the Ultimate Protective Boyfriend

Tom Holland proved he's a real-life superhero as he helped save girlfriend Zendaya from a large group of paparazzi and autograph-seeking fans in New York City on Oct. 24. 

By Sabba Rahbar Oct 25, 2024 10:58 PM
| Updated Oct 26, 2024 12:54 AM
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Watch: Superhero Boyfriend Tom Holland Rescues Zendaya From Swarm of Paparazzi

Tom Holland is clearly real-life superhero. 

The Spider-Man actor came to the rescue of girlfriend Zendaya on Oct. 24 when the Dune actress found herself swarmed by fans and paparazzi as the two exited a car together in New York City.

An online video shows Tom and Zendaya, both 28, holding hands before the couple got split up, with Zendaya getting circled by photographers taking pictures and fans asking for autographs. Tom quickly jumped in to save her from the crowd, and can be heard saying, "No, no, no," while pushing his way through to her. He then protectively grabbed Zendaya's hand as they headed inside together.

The duo, who tend to keep a low profile with their relationship, had been out and about in New York City for the launch of Tom's non-alcoholic beer BERO. They'd even coordinated outfits for the occasion, with Tom donning a burgundy shirt and black pants, while Zendaya opted for a fitted, custom, burgundy Louis Vuitton dress. 

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Tom and Zendaya first met on the set of 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming, and although they were rumored to be dating at the time, their relationship wasn't made public until 2021. And as their costar Marisa Tomei recently revealed, getting to experience the two coming together was one of the most memorable behind-the-scenes moments for her.

"I think some of the favorite things were really just watching Tom and Zendaya grow up and watching them fall in love," the Oscar winner, who played Aunt May in the films, said at a fan convention event in August. "And seeing their phenomenal talent and being blown away from the get-go."

But despite many fans being curious about their romance, Tom and Zendaya are very careful about what they do not and do not share publicly. 

XNY/Star Max/GC Images

"Our relationship is something that we are incredibly protective of and we want to keep as sacred as possible," Tom explained to The Hollywood Reporter in 2023. "We don't think that we owe it to anyone, it's our thing, and it has nothing to do with our careers."

To see more of the duo's love story over the years, keep reading.

July 2016: Comic-Con Fun

Tom Holland and Zendaya shared a laugh during the Marvel panel event at San Diego Comic-Con International 2016 in San Diego, Calif, ahead of the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming.

May 2017: MTV Movie & TV Awards

The Spider-Man: Homecoming stars spoke onstage at the award show in Los Angeles.

June 2017: Promoting in Spain

Tom and Zendaya attended a photo call for Spider-Man: Homecoming in Madrid.

June 2019: Par-tay

The duo appeared at the after-party for the premiere of Spider-Man: Far From Home in Hollywood, Calif.

September 2021: Birthday Shoutout

Months after their romance was confirmed, Tom gushed over his onscreen and offscreen girlfriend.

 

"My MJ, have the happiest of birthdays," he wrote, referring to Zendaya by her character's name, in his Sept. 1 post. "Gimme a call when your up xxx"

December 2021: Back to London

The two attended a photo call for Spider-Man: No Way Home at The Old Sessions House in London.

December 2021: Promoting Spider-Man: No Way Home

Tom and Zendaya spoke during SiriusXM Radio's Town Hall with the cast of Spider-Man: No Way Home in New York City.

December 2021: Spider-Man: No Way Home Premiere in L.A.

The actress, in a custom Valentino gown, and Tom, in a Prada suit, posed for pictures at the premiere of Spider-Man: No Way Home in Los Angeles.

December 2021: Celebrating a Dream Fulfilled

After their third Spider-Man film hit theaters, Zendaya heaped praise over her leading man.

"My Spider-Man, I’m so proud of you," she gushed, "some things never change and good thing @tomholland2013."

February 2022: Taking in a New York Minute

The duo dressed to impress as they enjoyed a belated Valentine's Day night on the town in NYC Feb. 16.

June 2023: Tom's 27th Birthday

Zendaya shared this sweet shot of her boyfriend enjoying the water in honor of his birthday.

June 2023: Tom's "Sexiest" Pic Ever

Tom unveiled this beauty for his 27th birthday, joking on Instagram, "A gift from me to you. I thought I'd share possibly the sexiest picture ever taken of me!" Zendaya was into it, reacting with a heart-eye emoji.

March 2024: Acing a Tennis Date

Zendaya channeled her inner Tashi Duncan ahead of her movie Challengers' release during a tennis outing with Tom and her longtime assistant Darnell Appling at the Men's Final of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif.

April 2024: All Smiles

The two enjoyed a night out in London.

May 2024: In Fair Verona

Zendaya supported Tom after the debut of his play Romeo and Juliet in London, where the pair were seen holding hands following the show.

October 2024: Bero Launch Party

As Tom debuted his non-alcoholic beer company, Bero, Zendaya was by his side in a coordinating burgundy look.

November 2024: Low Key Date Night

While visiting Zendaya in Newbury, Massachusetts, where Zendaya was filming her movie The Drama, the duo popped out for a pint of Bero.

“I’m heading out to a bar to have my first Bero in the wild,” Tom, wrote on is Instagram story alongside a shot of his longtime girlfriend smiling in the background. “I’ll let you know how it goes.”

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