There are six months between Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet. They began their careers and found success almost simultaneously. Now an iconic cinema couple dune by Denis Villeneuve, these two representatives of Generation Z have reached the status of superstars.
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Both Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet are child stars. Born in 1996, Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman co-starred on the series Shake It Up from 2010 to 2013, which aired on the Disney Channel. Timothée Hal Chalamet, for his part, got his first major role in the series La Law and Order in 2009. While the teenager has had a parallel career as a model since childhood, the actor, whose father is French and mother is American, concentrates on acting. As a child, he directed several commercials and two short horror films.
Zendaya in “Shake It Up” in 2010. Photo provided by Disney Channel.
Timothée Chalamet in the 2009 episode of Law & Order, “Pledge.” Screenshot from the NBC show
The gratitude
The Disney actress was then chosen to play the character of MJ in the relaunch of Spiderman, Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), where she starred alongside Tom Holland, who would become her husband, a role they two shared Years later, she took over again in Spider-Man: Far from His Family, then in Spider-Man: No Return in 2021. But it is the remarkable series Euphoria, broadcast by HBO from 2019, that elevates her to the rank of a serious actress raises. As Rue, the series' main character, she plays a teenager coming out of detox and trying to stop using drugs. The role will earn Zendaya a Primetime Emmy, a Golden Globe, an MTV Award and numerous nominations.
Zendaya in “Euphoria” in 2022. Photo provided by HBO
In 2013, Timothée Chalamet's agent, Brian Swardstrom, had the idea of introducing his client to Luca Guadagnino, the director who had been working unsuccessfully for several years to bring Call Me By Your Name to the big screen. The feature film was finally released in cinemas in 2017 and earned numerous nominations. Young Chalamet was nominated for the Oscars, BAFTAs and Golden Globes. He will leave empty-handed every time, but that doesn't matter, he's a star now.
Timothée Chalamet was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor on March 4, 2018 for his role in Call Me By Your Name. Photo Michael Baker / AMPAS
dune…and the red carpets
Timothée Chalamet was the first and only actor chosen by Denis Villeneuve for Dune in 2021. “Timothée has incredible charisma, and I needed that for the audience to believe that this young man is capable of building and leading an army and then an entire planet,” explained Denis Villeneuve in the pages of USA Today at the time of publication of the first work. Zendaya, who was cast before “Euphoria” aired, had “undeniable chemistry” with her co-star, explained Francine Maisler, the film's sales executive. “Zendaya was one of five actresses who auditioned. She had an incredible presence.”
Zendaya wears her Dune-inspired outfit to the film's world premiere on February 15 in London. Photo MEGA/IF
But it's Zendaya who explains to Timothée Chalamet the art of method dressing for the red carpet, that is, wearing outfits that match the film being presented. For Dune, the duo wears matching or complementary clothing. Because Zendaya has used the services of Law Roach, who advises her on every one of her public appearances. Timothée Chalamet, who dresses alone, nevertheless learned quickly and made a splash on the red carpet of the Oscars in 2022, opting for an outfit created for women by Louis Vuitton director Nicolas Ghesquière. And this approach led to Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya quickly becoming recognized as fashion icons.
Timothée Chalamet at the world premiere of “Dune” in London in mid-February. Photo MEGA/IF