Zendaya showed up at the 2026 Emmys with a new pixie haircut and a date. Tom Holland was by her side for most of the night, and Saturday Night Live’s Marcello Hernández ended up inviting both of them over for dinner.
The star arrived solo on the blue carpet, wearing Prada with Mikimoto jewels. Inside Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, she presented the award for lead actress in a comedy series, which went to Jean Smart for her fifth Emmy win for Hacks. Later, Zendaya was spotted chatting with Mark Ruffalo, Odessa A’zion, Quinta Brunson, Ayo Edebiri, Chase Infiniti and others, with Holland beside her.
The Dinner Invite
Hernández took the stage to present an award and made the surprise public. “I wanna say hi to Zendaya! You’re a beast and you’re amazing, and I saw you and I wanted to play it cool and I’ve decided I can’t do that,” he said. “So I would like to invite you and Spider-Man to have dinner at my house.”
Zendaya and Holland laughed at the offer.
The Nominations
Zendaya was nominated for best actress in a drama series for the third and final season of HBO’s Euphoria, where she plays Rue Bennett. Her fellow nominees included Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age), Chase Infiniti (The Testaments), Keri Russell (The Diplomat) and Rhea Seehorn (Pluribus).
Seehorn took home the award.
This was the third time Zendaya has been nominated in the best drama actress category at the Emmys. The 30-year-old previously won the award in 2020 and 2022.
A Stacked Year
Euphoria season three premiered in March. Since then, Zendaya has released The Drama and The Odyssey, plus Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which also stars Holland.
Up next is Dune: Part Three, set for release in theaters Dec. 18.
What Actually Happened
Zendaya did not leave the ceremony with an award. She did leave with a story.
She wore Prada and Mikimoto on the blue carpet. Inside the theater, she presented the lead actress in a comedy series award to Jean Smart, whose fifth Emmy win for Hacks added to her tally.
The Couple Factor
Holland stayed close to Zendaya throughout the evening. They were photographed together as she chatted with other guests, including Ruffalo, A’zion, Brunson, Edebiri and Infiniti.
The couple laughed at Hernández’s joke.
The Night’s Other Moments
Jean Smart’s fifth Emmy win for Hacks was a notable milestone.
Key Facts Box
– Zendaya’s pixie haircut made its debut at the 2026 Emmys
– Tom Holland was her date for the evening
– Marcello Hernández invited the couple to dinner at his house
– Jean Smart won lead actress in a comedy series for her fifth Emmy win for Hacks
– Rhea Seehorn took home best actress in a drama series
– Zendaya was nominated for the third time in that category
– Her previous wins came in 2020 and 2022
– Dune: Part Three is set for release Dec. 18
The night belonged to Zendaya’s presence, even when the trophies did not. She presented, she chatted, she laughed at a dinner joke. The pixie cut got its moment. The date got its moment. And the invite got its moment.
It was a night of misses, but it was not a dull one. The laughter at Hernández’s joke suggested the couple enjoyed the moment, even if the invitation was a surprise.
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