Tom Holland’s spidey senses aren’t always tingling perfectly.
After all, the Spider-Man star recently detailed how his diagnoses with dyslexia and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can sometimes inhibit his craft, and how he overcomes it.
“I have ADHD and I'm dyslexic, and I find sometimes when someone gives me a blank canvas that it can be slightly intimidating,” Tom told IGN in an interview published Sept. 1. “Sometimes you are met with those challenges when developing a character.”
But the Cherry actor noted that he pursues evoking his inner child through “play” in order to get himself prepared for any given part.
“Any way that you can, as a young person or as an adult, interact with something that forces you to be creative and forces you to think outside the box and make changes,” he continued. “I think that the more we do that sort of stuff, the better.”
And while this is the first time Tom—whose engagement to Zendaya was confirmed earlier this year—has opened up about his struggles with ADHD, he previously shared insight into how he combats his struggles with dyslexia, which he was diagnosed with at age 7.
The learning disability can affect reading and spelling, but the 29-year-old previously shared that he most struggled with the latter.
“My dyslexia, it’s really just my spelling,” he explained during a July 2023 appearance on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast, crediting his parents Dominic Holland and Nikki Holland for their support. “My spelling was really the biggest hurdle. I worked really hard at school. I didn’t do particularly well but my parents said, ‘As long as you try your best.’”
Considering Tom has managed to not only overcome his disorders, but also thrive with them, he also shared some advice to fans struggling with similar endeavors.
“It’s about taking your time,” he explained in an interview with Jazzys World TV in 2021. “Giving yourself the appropriate amount of time to do the things you need to do. The better prepared you are for anything the more you’ll be able to do and accomplish things that are fantastic.”
Of course, for Tom, it also helps having Zendaya by his side. Quite literally these days, as the actors and couple will costar in the upcoming Odyssey and Spider-Man: Brand New Day films in 2026.
“It's a saving grace,” Tom said of working with his fiancée last year on The Dish podcast. “Best thing that's ever happened to me.”
For a deeper look into Tom and Zendaya’s bond, 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.”