🧐

Tom flew from Mumbai after two full days of press into NYC late in the evening. He then had a full day of press.

Today he has a full day of press and a premiere.

I don't even know how he's standing at this point. He's been on the go, no sleep, no days off, criss-crossing from country to country and continents for weeks now promoting two mega-blockbuster films.

But some y'all really expect him to be at a concert late into the evening? GTFOH.

Conversely, Z has had several days off and her mom is in town.

Let Tom rest

I've always wondered if Tom gives Z his opinions on her looks when she and Law are in the fitting stage. Has he ever persuaded her to go one way or the other on a look; or does Z not tell him what she's going to wear and it's all a surprise till she hits the red carpet.

Also, what's his favorite look of hers.

Conversely, does Z help Tom with his red carpet looks and makes suggestions to him.

What's her fave look of his.

@mariana-c

I take your point about Z not having the career she has if she didn't take the more traditional "white" roles and I agree. However, the only reason Z was offered those roles is because, as she herself has pointed out, she is "Hollywood acceptable black."

And, based on things Z has said, I do believe she wants to break down barriers. I don't think there is any direct correlation Z can make that proves taking white roles has made space for darker skinned women though.

And IMO, with Zs name recognition and star power, her taking on these traditional white roles has only elevated these white creatives and cast and their movies in ways black movies don't get elevated.

So to me, it has the opposite effect.

It'd be different if Z took on white roles, but had a team of black creatives behind the scenes. Which happens in reverse for a lot of black stories. (Ahem, Malcolm and Marie)

At least then Z could say she's flipping the script on the entire Hollywood creative process and lending opportunities to black voices, while still portraying a mixed women in predominately white space if that's the type of role she feels comfortable playing.

But I think that Z saying she wants to go for the white roles is myopic because the unintended consequence is that shes only elevating white voices in those roles.

Why not play a mixed race women in a more diverse cast?

Does Z feel because shes mixed race she can't realistically play a role where she's taking up space in a black cast?

Does she not feel a mixed cast can make a successful Hollywood film?

Mixed women marry dark skinned black men all the time. Mixed women grow up around black families all the time. There's nothing unique about Z being a mixed women in the stories she tells.

And most of the time, outside of ensuring the people cast to play her parents are a mixed raced couple, Zs race has no bearing whatsoever on the role she's playing. Which. I guess in some ways is the point.

I do agree that i wish she would work with more black creators. I hope Barry is a start.

She acknowledged that she's "Hollywood's acceptable version of black girl" but also stated that she wanted to use her privilege to show how much beauty is in our community. As of rn.. haven't seen much when it comes to projects. I believe she has her production company so I would love to see her produce content starring black artists. Like she doesn't have to direct a whole movie yet but maybe start with a short film. Help produce a TV show or movie starring a black girl. Put some money towards black theatre. I think her name attached to producing/directing a black project can get greenlight easily. But as of rn i don't think that's her focus. Maybe it will be in a couple of yrs

N as usual, respect to all opinions. I think this is a interesting convo that has a lot of opinions

So, Im going to admit something, I really went scrounging for Zendaya's quote on not taking roles from darker skinned black women, and I can not find a direct quote from her to that affect. If someone has it, please send it to me.

What I've found is comments from her BeautyCon fireside chat in 2018 where she says she's can't be the only acceptable version of black in Hollywood and she wants all skin tones to be celebrated.

And then there is this quote from Cosmopolitan:

“I feel a responsibility to be a voice for the beautiful shades my people come in. Unfortunately, I have a bit of a privilege compared to my darker sisters and brothers… Like people question, Would you listen to Zendaya if she wasn’t the same skin color? And that’s an honest question. Can I honestly say that I’ve had to face the same racism and struggles as a woman with darker skin? No, I cannot. I have not walked in her shoes and that is unfair of me to say. But I’m completely behind that woman. I want to be a part of the movement and growth. And if I get put in a position because of the color of my skin where people will listen to me, then I should use that privilege the right way.”

And this from her Hollywood Reporter Roundtable

But what Z has said directly is that she asks her theatrical agent to specifically seek roles out for her that call for white girls.

And then her most recent Elle cover story she said this:

“I want to expand the roles someone like me is allowed to do, or can do. As a Black woman, what I can do as an actress,”

So, with that all said, my point is Z says she wants to open doors for other black women, women darker than her. She certainly recognizes her privilage, but like I stated, she continues to take roles where shes one of one WoC in the cast. Where shes playing characters that exists in predominately white spaces and where the behind the scenes creatives are also predominately white.

I agree with you that I'd like to see start expanding her privilage to get more dark skinned women in front of the camera.. I think using her star power as an actress would be a really good start. She can co-lead with a darker WoC in a role. Using her name to get the project seen and produced.

I also recognize that for as much success Z has had, she's still pretty nacent in her career as a lead on-screen actress. I certainly do not believe Z has any maleficent intent when taking on those roles, but i do hope she starts expanding her aspirations in a tangible way to include more WoC in the projects she takes on.

This is a very nuanced discussion, but here's my take.

To me, when Z says that, it comes off as very elitist. I understand what she's trying to say, but I think it begs the question why does she feel the white role is the one more worthy of her talent? What barrier is she really trying to break down by playing a black women surrounded by an all white cast?. How is that supporting the cause?

Why can't a light skinned, biracial women be in a relationship with a black brother, or have grown up in predominately black spaces, or have predominately black friends. Why are those stories not worth Zendaya's energy to tell and make her own?

Is it only realistic if a light skinned black women is married to a white, English museum curator, but not if a dark-skinned woman is?

I think Zs take plays into the colorism argument that she's trying to fight against.

It also relegates black creators who are trying to elevate their movies to commercial success to B or C list status.

Because, let's be honest, Zs name as number one on the call sheet gets butts in seats, it gets studios motivated, it elevates a film beyond just being nothing more than a black story, but a story with mass appeal.

Additionally, while Z says that she wants to ensure darker skinned women are given opportunities, Z has yet to work with all black creatives even behind the scenes. She plays roles where she is one of the only black characters and all the supporting cast is white. She hasn't worked with a black director yet or a black writers room.