Zendaya’s upcoming sports drama ‘Challengers’ is making waves for its sizzling on-screen moments. The film, directed by Luca Guadagnino, delves into the world of competitive tennis, presenting a steamy and captivating narrative. However, it’s not just the gripping storyline that’s turning heads; it’s the actress’s candid reactions to watching those intimate scenes with her family.
During the film’s screening, Zendaya, alongside her co-stars Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor, openly discussed the challenges of filming the intimate scenes and the amusing familial reactions that followed. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Zendaya addressed the potentially awkward situation with her signature humor. “Hilarious. Yeah, I thought it was hilarious,” she quipped. “I mean, I had family there. I’ve said this before. They all know the rating of the movie, they know what it’s about; they’ve been forewarned.”
Zendaya’s lighthearted and straightforward approach reflects her ability to handle uncomfortable questions with grace and charm. She further mentioned that her family’s familiarity with boundary-pushing content, thanks to her role in HBO’s ‘Euphoria,’ made the experience less daunting. “They’ve all seen ‘Euphoria.’ You know, so it’s not like our first rodeo or anything. But it was funny because, you know, obviously, I’ve seen the movie many times, so I know what’s coming, and they were all sitting behind me, and I got to like watch them watch and slowly just be like… [hides her face in hands] ‘Oh, god!'”, she said.
Despite the film’s lack of explicit content, Zendaya humorously remarked on the discomfort caused by the sensual scenes. “It’s still enough to not want to watch with your aunt!” she joked.
‘Challengers’ follows Patrick and Art, lifelong best friends and avid tennis players, whose lives take a dramatic turn when they encounter Tashi, a talented young tennis prodigy. The trio forms a close bond during their teenage years, sharing thrilling and intense experiences until a sudden injury cuts short Tashi’s burgeoning career. Later, as Tashi masterminds her husband’s return to form after a series of losses, her plans take an unexpected turn when he must compete against Patrick, his now-struggling former best friend, in a pivotal Grand Slam match.
Early reviews praise the film’s visually stunning and emotionally engaging portrayal of the tennis world, despite some criticism of its portrayal of the sport. Tennis legend Serena Williams, who attended the premiere, gave Zendaya’s performance a nod of approval, despite noticing the use of CGI tennis balls in the film.
Catch Zendaya heating up the tennis court in ‘Challengers,’ coming to theaters on April 26th. Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News.