How Long Have Zendaya and Tom Holland Been Together: What Most People Get Wrong

If you’ve spent any time on the internet in the last decade, you’ve probably seen the "Tomdaya" edits. You know the ones. Slow-motion clips of Tom Holland looking at Zendaya like she’s the only person in a crowded room. It’s enough to make even the most cynical person feel a little bit single.

But here is the thing.

The timeline is messy. While everyone wants a neat answer to how long have zendaya and tom holland been together, the reality is a mix of "best friend" denials, car-kissing pap shots, and a very private engagement that finally went public in early 2025.

We aren't just talking about a couple of years. We are looking at a ten-year saga that started with an awkward hug and ended with a $280,000 diamond ring.

The Chemistry Read That Started It All (2016)

It’s June 2016. Tom Holland is the new Spider-Man, and Zendaya is the Disney star trying to break into "serious" acting. They meet at a chemistry read for Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Honestly? It wasn't love at first sight.

Tom remembers it as an "awkward hug-shake thing." Zendaya, being Zendaya, was cool as a cucumber. But the spark was there. Within months, they were all over each other's Instagram feeds. Most fans assume they started "dating" right then and there.

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Actually, they probably did.

Insiders at the time told People that they started seeing each other while filming that first movie. They were "super careful" about it. They went on vacations together. They made each other laugh. But for the next four years, they would tell every reporter who asked that they were "just homies."

The Breakup We Don’t Talk About (2019-2020)

People like to think they’ve been inseparable since 2016. That’s not quite true.

There was a distinct "gap" year. Around 2019, things seemed to cool off. Zendaya was spotted getting very cozy—and sharing a kiss in NYC—with her Euphoria co-star Jacob Elordi. Meanwhile, Tom was linked to Olivia Bolton and later "went Instagram official" with actress Nadia Parkes during the 2020 lockdown.

It felt like the end of an era.

But then 2021 happened.

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The Red Light Kiss That Changed Everything

July 2, 2021. Los Angeles. A red light.

That’s when the paparazzi caught them in Tom’s Audi, sharing a kiss that effectively broke the internet. No more "he's my best mate" captions. No more dodging questions.

Since that moment in 2021, they have been "officially" together for roughly four and a half years as of early 2026. If you count the early "secret" years from 2016 to 2019, the total "Tomdaya" era spans nearly a decade.

So, How Long Have They Actually Been Together?

To answer how long have zendaya and tom holland been together, you have to decide which "start date" you believe.

• The "Official" Public Relationship: 4.5 years (Since July 2021).
• The "First Try" Secret Romance: 3 years (2016 to 2019).
• The Total History: 10 years of knowing each other, with about 7.5 to 8 years of active dating across two "stints."

By January 2025, the relationship reached a new level. Zendaya showed up at the Golden Globes with a massive 5-carat Jessica McCormack ring on that finger. Shortly after, Tom’s dad, Dominic Holland, basically confirmed it on his Patreon. He mentioned Tom had even asked Zendaya’s father, Kazembe Ajamu Coleman, for permission.

It’s about as "for real" as a Hollywood couple gets.

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Why They Are Still Going Strong in 2026

Privacy. That’s the secret sauce.

Tom told Men’s Health in 2025 that they rarely do red carpets together because he doesn't want to steal her moment. "If we go together, it becomes about us," he said. They’d rather be caught grocery shopping in London or hanging out at home than posing for the cameras.

In late 2025, Tom even publicly corrected a reporter who called Zendaya his "girlfriend," quickly interjecting with "fiancée."

Key Moments in the Tomdaya Timeline

1. June 2016: They meet. Tom is awkward; Zendaya is unimpressed.
2. July 2017: First dating rumors fly during the Homecoming press tour.
3. 2019 - 2020: The "Breakup." They date other people.
4. July 2021: The car kiss confirms they are back on.
5. January 2025: The engagement is soft-launched at the Golden Globes.
6. Today (January 2026): They are reportedly living together and supporting each other on sets (Tom was a constant fixture on the Euphoria Season 3 set).

What’s Next for the Couple?

If you’re waiting for a massive, televised wedding, don’t hold your breath.

Zendaya’s stylist, Law Roach, hinted in late 2025 that wedding planning "hasn't even started" because they are both too busy. Zendaya has The Drama and Euphoria coming out in April 2026, and they are both filming Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey for July 2026 releases.

They are in no rush.

The biggest takeaway for fans? This isn't a PR stunt. They’ve outlasted almost every other "super couple" of their generation by keeping the world out of their living room.

Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to keep track of their progress without falling for "clickbait" breakup rumors, watch their social media for subtle "support posts." Tom usually posts Zendaya’s movie posters with a simple "All hail the queen" or heart emojis. Also, keep an eye on the July 2026 press tours for Spider-Man: Brand New Day—it will be their first major movie tour as an openly engaged couple.