Zendaya has opened up about what she admires most about her husband Tom Holland's portrayal of Spider-Man — and it has less to do with the on-screen acrobatics than with how Holland carries the character's weight in his everyday life. The actress, 29, made the remarks ahead of the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, in which she stars alongside Holland.

What Zendaya Said About Holland's Spider-Man

Speaking to Fandango's Big Ticket, Zendaya was candid about the quality she finds most compelling. 'My favourite thing about Tom's Spider-Man is how Tom handles Spider-Man outside of Spider-Man,' she said. 'So many people connect to this character — to Peter Parker, to Spider-Man. Especially young people, especially children.'

She added that Holland has managed the enormous emotional responsibility that comes with playing one of Marvel's most beloved heroes with remarkable composure. 'He's just handled that weight with such grace, and really loves and cares so much about the character and what the character means to other people,' she said. Addressing Holland directly, she noted: 'I just love seeing what and how you carry Spider-Man through your life in real life.'

Holland's Sobriety and Career Turnaround

Tom Holland, 30, has been equally candid about a personal struggle that once threatened to overshadow his professional ascent. The actor quit drinking in January 2022, describing alcohol as an 'incredibly dangerous thing.' In a separate interview with USA Today, Holland reflected on the years since: 'I've been so lucky in the last four years that my career has really blossomed in a really lovely way, and I really love what's happening and what I have to come in the future. And I don't know how much of that would've come to fruition had I still been drinking.'

Holland was direct about the link between his sobriety and his sense of self. 'Drinking was something that was ultimately really getting in the way of my professional life,' he said. 'Being an actor and living your life on the big stage can be really stressful. And I think that alcohol, for me personally, really compounded that issue. And, since getting rid of the booze and feeling more like myself and waking up clear-headed every day and fresh to start the day, I just feel so much more confident in myself as who I am as a person.'

The Pressure of Playing Spider-Man

Holland has long been one of the most scrutinised young actors in Hollywood, having taken on the Spider-Man mantle while still a teenager. The role brings with it a global fanbase that skews young, meaning public appearances — particularly with children — carry a heightened sense of responsibility. Zendaya's comments suggest that it is precisely this off-camera conduct that she finds most admirable.

Notably, Holland and Zendaya's relationship developed on the set of the Spider-Man franchise before the two publicly confirmed they were a couple. Their shared professional history adds a layer of first-hand credibility to Zendaya's assessment of how Holland navigates the demands of the role.

What to Watch

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is among the most anticipated Marvel releases on the horizon, with both Holland and Zendaya reprising their roles. As the promotional cycle intensifies, the couple's candid interviews are already drawing significant attention — and Holland's sobriety journey is emerging as one of the more compelling personal narratives surrounding the film's release.