Zendaya and Robert Pattinson began promoting A24’s upcoming movie The Drama with a unique joint interview in Interview magazine released on February 18. This marks their first shared public discussion about the film, directed by Kristoffer Borgli, which the magazine describes as a “twisted romance” centered on a couple facing unraveling circumstances. The conversation offers a candid glimpse into their dynamic while highlighting the challenges of defining a project that defies easy categorization.
An Unconventional Interview Setting
In late 2023, the two actors conducted a relaxed and candid interview separated by location—Pattinson was on a caffeine-fueled vacation, while Zendaya was surprisingly occupied with household chores, confessing she was
deep cleaning my bathroom right now.
This informal atmosphere sets the tone for their open exchange about fame, first impressions, and the awkward realities of promoting a project they are still interpreting themselves.
How Tom Holland Influenced Zendaya’s View of Pattinson
During the conversation, Zendaya discussed how her fiancé Tom Holland shaped her initial perception of Pattinson. She admitted that, at first, she saw him as reserved and mysterious, explaining,
Truthfully, I met you because we had common friends, and you were always pretty quiet and chill,
she said.
You didn’t say much, and I was like, ‘Ooh, mysterious!’ Then I talked to Tom, and he was like, ‘No, he’s super fun and always laughing and joking,’ and I was like, ‘Really? I haven’t experienced that side of him, I guess.’
Responding with mock disappointment, Pattinson reflected on this public misconception:
I wish I could stay in the mysterious,
he remarked.
I’ve learned again and again that if you just don’t speak, people are like, ‘Wow. You’re really intimidating,’ but I just can’t f—ing maintain it.
Zendaya countered,
You maintained it for a while, until we made a few movies together.
The Actors’ Views on Fame and Professional Boundaries
The dialogue expanded to the difficulties of balancing public identity with privacy, and the professional qualities they each value, especially regarding how people treat their crews. Zendaya emphasized the importance of kindness behind the scenes, stating,
One that works for us at work is how people treat their crews,
continuing,
I admire people who are kind to everyone, not just the actors, directors, or producers. A very telling thing is how a crew feels about a particular actor, because they get to see how people are when the cameras are not rolling.
Zendaya expressed admiration for Pattinson’s ability to guard his private life, particularly as a parent, while Pattinson revisited his struggle to maintain personal identity after the massive attention brought by the Twilight series. He reflected,
I didn’t want to get my personal identity caught up in that, so I tried to push forward my individuality a little, and that kind of stuck with me,
illustrating the effort required to evolve beyond a breakout franchise.
Close Collaboration and Future Projects
Following The Drama, both actors collaborated on high-profile projects, including Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three. This concentrated period of work has deepened their professional relationship, making their conversations about the complexities of fame and artistry especially relevant.
Anticipation Builds Ahead of Film Release
With its April 3 theatrical debut approaching, The Drama remains a challenging film to define neatly, a notion both Zendaya and Pattinson acknowledge throughout their discussion. Their willingness to explore the film’s themes thoughtfully, alongside candid reflections on fame and privacy, adds depth to the audience’s anticipation. As they continue to navigate joint promotions and new projects, their evolving partnership will likely offer further insights into their artistic chemistry and personal growth.
