Variety: On June 20, 2022, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor sat at the edge of a motel bed on either side of Zendaya, kissing, licking and biting her neck. As Art and Patrick, their respective “Challengers” characters, they were desperate for more of Tashi, played by Zendaya, and desperate to mask their desperation.
Zendaya’s mind was elsewhere. “The only reason I really remember is because Beyoncé came out with ‘Break My Soul’ that day,” she said. “I was having a great day, like, ‘Y’all. Beyoncé’s single just dropped.’ That’s what I was focused on, to be honest.”a
Variety: In Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film “Challengers,” sex, lies and betrayal happen both on and off the tennis court.
Zendaya plays Tashi Duncan, a tennis prodigy who is lusted after by fellow players Patrick (Josh O’Connor) and Art (Mike Faist). As she’s about to enroll at Stanford, Tashi hooks up with Patrick; she later marries Art. When Patrick reenters the couple’s lives 13 years later, Tashi must reckon with the choices she’s made. So must the guys.
“Tennis, by its nature, is a very erotic sport,” says screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes. “It’s about being at a distance from somebody. Trying not to touch them, trying to just miss them, trying to make them think the ball is gonna go one place, and then go another place... It’s very sexy. And you usually play tennis against somebody of the same gender, so tennis, by its nature, then becomes almost homoerotic.”
In their Variety cover story, the cast and team behind “Challengers” unpack the steamy love triangle and the movie’s journey to the big screen.
Zendaya: A little bts dump in honor of @challengersmovie coming out in a couple days. This is my first time leading a film in this way so ya girls been nervous but everyones excitement and encouragement has meant the world to me. I’m so honored that I get to do this beside these incredibly talented, brilliant (and hilarious) people and on behalf of all of us, we hope you enjoy the film and again…try not to judge the characters too much lol but also #teamtashi
zendayacollective: zendaya photographed in nyc today while arriving at the goodmorningamerica live taping to promote challenger along with her co-stars mike faist and josh o’connor🎾♥️
she’s wearing custom erdem, paired with bulgari jewelry and louboutinworld heels - styled by luxurylaw