Zendaya found herself in an awkward situation when her parents watched her steamy scenes in her latest movie, Challengers, at the film’s premiere.
In a recent interview with ET’s Denny Directo, Zendaya and her co-stars, Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor, delved into the intriguing dynamics of filming intimate scenes for their latest movie, Challengers, and the comical aftermath of Zendaya watching it with family in the room.
Zendaya didn’t hold back when discussing the experience of viewing the film alongside her parents, especially considering its steamy content. “It was hilarious,” Zendaya chuckled when asked about the encounter. “Yeah, I thought it was hilarious,” she emphasized, noting that her family members were well aware of the movie’s rating and premise beforehand.
Acknowledging her previous work on Euphoria, Zendaya highlighted that her family was accustomed to boundary-pushing content. “They’ve all seen Euphoria, you know, so it’s not like our first rodeo or anything,” she remarked with a grin.
Recounting the screening, Zendaya shared the amusement she derived from observing her family’s reactions. “It was funny ’cause, 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, ‘Oh god,'” she recalled with amusement.
Despite the absence of explicit sex scenes in the film, Zendaya joked about the level of discomfort it still induced. “It’s still enough to not want to watch with your aunt,” she quipped, highlighting the awkwardness of such moments.
Transitioning to the topic of filming the movie’s sensual scenes, Faist and O’Connor offered a glimpse into the practicalities behind the on-screen chemistry. Faist described the process as “really practical,” emphasizing the collaborative nature of filmmaking.
O’Connor echoed Faist’s sentiments, emphasizing the behind-the-scenes intricacies that shape the final product. “That’s the magic of filmmaking, is what comes out of the screen,” he remarked. Reflecting on the intensity of certain scenes, O’Connor revealed the logistical challenges they faced. “On the edge of your seat. In reality, you know, we laughed,” he admitted, referencing a particularly memorable three-way kiss scene.
Zendaya elaborated on the intricacies of such sequences, emphasizing the coordination required among the cast and crew. “It’s a dance,” she remarked, highlighting the synchronized movements necessary to execute such scenes seamlessly.
Concluding the discussion, Zendaya emphasized the collaborative effort involved in bringing these moments to life on screen. “It’s not just the three of us,” she emphasized. “It’s a whole crew also who’s a part of the scenes,” she added, underscoring the collective endeavor that underpins every aspect of filmmaking.
The Spider-Man actress stars as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Tashi meets Art (Faist) and Patrick (O’Connor) as teenagers, and the trio spend a tantalizing time together before a crushing injury on the court cuts Tashi’s rising career short.
Now, as Tashi strategizes her husband’s redemption after a losing streak, her plan takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick — his former best friend — in the Grand Slam. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win?
Challengers will hit theaters April 26.
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