After Zendaya and Tom Holland were spotted kissing in a car in 2021, fans lost their collective minds.
Some were convinced the duo were dating, while others suggested the sighting was purely a publicity stunt for Spider-Man: No Way Home film.
WATCH: Relive Zendaya’s iconic Critic’s Choice Awards look from 2020:
What we were certain of is, when the initial snaps were published (view them here via Page Six), it was like someone had finally pulled the Spider-Man mask from over our eyes and we could see the world clearly. The grass looked greener, the sun was rising and Tom Holland and Zendaya were kissing – five years after they first sparked dating rumours.
So what events led to this grand reveal? And what has their relationship been like since then? We’ve investigated
How did Zendaya and Tom Holland meet?
In 2016, Zendaya and Tom Holland were both confirmed to star in the new film Spider-Man: Homecoming. Whispers of a romance were immediate.
The pair continuously popped up on each other’s social feeds, spoke super highly of each other and, well, they simply just looked like a stunning new couple. No doubt.
Of course, one’s imagination can run wild here. But when PEOPLE reported from a source that the couple were in fact a couple, a few things happened.
Firstly, the world combusted into fits of glee (well, those of us who were day one stans) with the source’s insight on the sweet young couple.
“They’ve been super careful to keep it private and out of the public eye but they’ve gone on vacations with each other and try and spend as much time as possible with one another,” the source told PEOPLE.
Secondly? Well, the pair completely denied the claims. Ah.
Zendaya referenced the article via Twitter, making light of the situation she and Tom clearly wanted to shut down.
“My favorite is when it says we go on vacations together HA! I haven’t been on a vacation in years!😂😭🤣hbu @TomHolland1996 ???”
Tom meanwhile opened up about Zendaya in an interview, saying: “I’m a little worried [about dealing with fame … but] Zendaya is super famous and she’s been through this and I just call her up and say, ‘How do I manage being famous?’ I’m very glad I have a friend like her.”
Friend. Yes. Okay.
How long have Zendaya and Tom Holland actually been dating?
Zendaya and Tom’s denial that they were dating in 2017 didn’t stop the internet from basking in every single sign that proved these two had a good thing going.
In 2018, Zendaya literally slayed the Met Gala red carpet, and Tom was one of the first to call it out on Instagram: “All hail the queen. Killing it mate,” he wrote next to a picture of Zendaya dressed as Joan of Arc on the infamous steps.
And then there was the other Instagram moment in 2019 where Tom posted a picture of himself, Zendaya and their Spider-Man co-star Jacob Batalon.
In the cute pic, Zendaya stands with her arms around both men, but Tom appeared to tag her name over… well… his crotch.
Zendaya didn’t miss a beat.
“I’m assuming because you don’t know how to work ig, that’s the reasoning behind my name placement,” she cheekily teased in the comments.
Tom took it on the chin: “Thanks @zendaya for making me aware of my obvious blunder” he wrote, before fixing up the tag.
Fast forward through a pandemic, a Space Jam reboot and a rumoured fling with Jacob Elordi (more on that here), the year turned to 2021, and with it a shining beacon of hope in the form of pictures of Tom Holland and Zendaya making out in public.
Yes, in July, the pair were seen macking on in Tom’s luxe Audi while driving the streets of LA. In the pics, Tom and Zendaya were playing about and looking at each other with that face. Hold us!
So what’s happened since then? A lot.
Zendaya and Tom are spotted at a wedding together
A month later, when the internet was just starting to calm down about those car pics, Zendaya and Tom were spotted at a mutual friend’s wedding in Oakland, California.
Fellow guest Esteban Camarillo shared the above shot of Zendaya’s head resting on Tom’s. BRB, crying.
Tom pens Zendaya the sweetest birthday tribute
Just a month later, Tom sent Tomdaya fans into yet another frenzy when he posted a birthday tribute for his co-star.
Sharing a picture of the pair of them from behind the scenes shooting Spider-Man, Tom wrote on Instagram: “My MJ, have the happiest of birthdays. Gimme a call when your up xxx.”
Sorry… did he say My MJ? (Referring, of course, to Zendaya’s Spider-Man character, Mary Jane). Don’t play with us, Tom…. That’s so cute that we’re even going to ignore the incorrect use of “you’re” 🥰.
Zendaya soon replied to the tribute, commenting: “Calling now ♥️.” Anyone know how to tap a phone line? Kidding, of course.
Zendaya reveals what she appreciates about Tom
In an interview with InStyle, Zendaya was asked what she appreciates about Tom “as an actor and as a chap”, to which the Emmy Award winner sung his praises.
“In an actor way, I appreciate that he really loves being Spider-Man. It’s a lot of pressure — you take on the role of a superhero wherever you go. To the little kid who walks by, you are Spider-Man. I think he handled that so well. And seeing him at work, even though he’s not a Virgo [laughs], he is a perfectionist.”
She went on to emphasise how dedicated Tom is when it comes to his fight sequences, saying he would do the moves over and over again until he got the perfect shot.
On a personal level, Zendaya called the actor a “fun time”.
“Very charismatic, can make anybody feel comfortable and have a good laugh and a good chat.”
Tom “Supportive King” Holland strikes again
Clearly Tom confused his public Instagram account with his fan account dedicated to Zendaya (we’re just speculating he has one) because on October 19th 2021 he shared the above black-and-white shot of the goddess.. we mean… actress at the premiere of her film Dune, which she stars in alongside Timothée Chalamet.
The Spider-Man actor simply wrote “Dune 😍” alongside the photo.
Zendaya commented not six minutes after Tom posted (who’s the fan now?) with an adorable: “🥺”.
And, honestly, that emoji pretty much sums up how we’re feeling about the post.
A confirmation finally??
Tom and Zendaya definitely seemed to confirm they are more than friends in a November 2021 interview with GQ when the Spider-Man actor was straight up asked about those OG kissing pictures.
“One of the downsides of our fame is that privacy isn’t really in our control anymore,” Tom responded to the query. “And a moment that you think is between two people that love each other very much is now a moment that is shared with the entire world.
“I’ve always been really adamant to keep my private life private, because I share so much of my life with the world anyway,” he said, before added they “sort of felt robbed of (their) privacy”.
The actor also emphasised that he respected Zendaya too much to speak about their relationship without her, and that they’ll share their story if and when they’re ready.
“The equal sentiment [we both share] is just that when you really love and care about somebody, some moments or things, you wish were your own.… I think loving someone is a sacred thing and a special thing and something that you want to deal with and go through and experience and enjoy amongst the two people that love each other.”
Tom and Zee are spotted in Paris (pronounced with a silent ‘s’… so it rhymes… never mind)
As 2021 came to a close, the pair were spotted together at the 2021 Ballon D’Or Ceremony (annual football awards) in Paris, France. Ooh La La.
Both draped in all black, Zendaya donned a custom spine Roberto Cavalli gown with gold accessories, while Tom opted for a black-and-white tuxedo. We’re no experts… but it’s definitely giving Cher.
New year, new house??
In early 2022, The Mirror caused many a stan scream when they reported that Tomdaya had plans to move in together.
The publication alleged that the actors had purchased a six-bed property in Richmond, South West London, which they planned to renovate to include a gym, cinema and a man cave. Must be nice.
“They are over the moon about the property and getting their first home together,” a source told the publication. “They are very much in love and wanted their first home to be in London where Tom grew up. Everyone is thrilled for them.”
The renovations will cost a rumoured £250,000 (good thing they’ve got that Spider-Man and Euphoria coin).
Apparently Tom is also keen for “hi-tech security” around the place… Tony Stark has entered the chat.
“The plan is for them to move in after renovation is completed, probably late summer.”
We can’t wait to see if this rumour is confirmed!
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