In addition to her wide-ranging film résumé, Zendaya has become just as famous for her unforgettable red carpet appearances. It seems her latest one might, however, not be as well-received as usual.
Keep reading to learn more.
Her outfits rarely go unnoticed, often sparking both admiration for their boldness and criticism for their more unconventional risks.
Her latest look—worn at CinemaCon on Tuesday (April 14) while promoting Dune: Part Three—proved especially divisive. The ensemble featured a fitted blazer with exaggerated shoulder pads paired with a matching pencil skirt in a sand-toned fabric, seemingly inspired by the film’s desert setting.
While some appreciated the thematic nod, others were less impressed, drawing unexpected—and sometimes unsettling—comparisons.
“and people really called this fashion… the texture looks like a crumpled paper bag from afar. we’ve officially reached the “trying too hard” stage of method dressing. law roach i need answers because this aint it,” one person wrote.
Another wrote, “This looks like it’s made entirely of the crust of Italian bread” another added, “Its giving Silence of the Lambs”
Another posted, “Is Zendaya wearing someone’s skin?”
The 29-year-old star, now a global fashion force, is an ambassador for Louis Vuitton and a regular at the Met Gala, where the actress served as co-chair in 2024.
However, her rise in the fashion world wasn’t always smooth. According to her longtime stylist Law Roach, major luxury houses once refused to dress her. Before her breakout roles in projects like Dune, Challengers, and Euphoria, brands like Saint Laurent, Dior, Valentino, Chanel, and Gucci showed little interest.
Roach instead built her image using smaller labels and emerging designers. “I wanted to prove she didn’t need Valentino to become a fashion girl,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. Now that top brands are eager to dress her, he’s more selective: “Sometimes I say, ‘Not this season.’”
Beyond fashion, Zendaya recently addressed rumors about her personal life—specifically speculation that she had secretly married Tom Holland.
During an appearance with Jimmy Kimmel, she laughed off the claims, saying she hadn’t even seen the viral AI-generated wedding images. Kimmel also referenced a manipulated clip from her project The Drama, where her co-star Robert Pattinson appeared to be replaced with Holland.
“It was a beautiful day,” she joked.
Meanwhile, Dune: Part Three—directed by Denis Villeneuve—is set to premiere on December 18. Zendaya reprises her role as Chani alongside Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides. The cast also includes Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Javier Bardem.
Based on the novel by Frank Herbert, the final installment is described by Villeneuve as a more intense, emotional, and action-driven conclusion to the trilogy. At its core, he says, is a story of love—though a fractured one—between Chani and Paul.
Zendaya echoed that shift, explaining that her character is now in a very different place, having lost her youthful optimism.
Despite mixed reactions, her CinemaCon look once again proved one thing: whether praised or criticized, Zendaya’s fashion choices never fail to spark conversation.
Share this with others who like to keep up with the latest news from Hollywood.
READ MORE
