If you’ve spent any time on the corner of the internet that obsesses over HBO’s Euphoria, you know that the off-screen drama usually rivals the on-screen chaos. While the world is currently (and understandably) obsessed with the fact that Tom Holland and Zendaya are basically the gold standard of "couple goals"—seriously, the man recently popped the question and they're engaged—there was this weird, hazy period where everyone was asking: when did Zendaya and Jacob Elordi date?
It feels like a lifetime ago. Back when the first season of Euphoria was melting our brains, Zendaya and her co-star Jacob Elordi were the subjects of one of the most low-key, "are-they-or-aren't-they" romances in Hollywood. They never officially posted a "hard launch" on Instagram. They never walked a red carpet as a couple. Honestly, they spent most of their time telling the press they were just "besties."
But the cameras don't lie. Or at least, the paparazzi lenses don't.
The Timeline: When It All Actually Happened
To pin down the exact window, you have to look at the receipts from 2019 and 2020. Based on sightings and industry chatter, the two were a thing for roughly a year, starting in the summer of 2019 and fizzling out by the time the world shut down in the spring of 2020.
The Greece "Soft Launch" (August 2019)
The rumors officially caught fire in August 2019. Fans spotted them vacationing together in Athens, Greece. It wasn't a solo trip—Zendaya’s stylist Law Roach and her friend Darnell Appling were there too—but people noticed them looking way too comfortable in the background of a tourist’s photo at the Acropolis.
Zendaya later told E! News she was just "chilling" with family. Sure. But when Jacob was caught on camera cuddling Zendaya’s dog, Noon, fans knew it was deeper than just two coworkers grabbing a gyro.
The "She's Like My Sister" Phase (Late 2019)
This is where it gets funny. In December 2019, Jacob Elordi did an interview with GQ Australia. When asked about the dating rumors, he pulled the classic Hollywood move. He called Zendaya his "sister."
"She’s like my sister. Zendaya is an amazing creative, you know? She’s super dope to work with."
Usually, when a guy calls a girl his sister in the press, they are either actually siblings or they are definitely dating and trying to hide it. Given they were spotted in Australia together for Thanksgiving right around that time, the "sister" excuse didn't really fly with the fans.
The PDA That Changed Everything
If 2019 was about being sneaky, early 2020 was when they stopped caring as much. This is the peak of the Zendaya and Jacob Elordi date timeline.
In February 2020, they were photographed in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. These weren't blurry fan photos. These were high-def shots of Jacob leaning in to kiss Zendaya on the side of her head while she laughed. They were also seen catching the Broadway show Dear Evan Hansen. An onlooker told People that while Zendaya didn't introduce him as her boyfriend, it was "very obvious" they were together.
They were basically doing that thing where you try not to hold hands because you know people are watching, but you end up hovering so close that it’s even more suspicious.
Why Did It End?
The breakup was as quiet as the beginning. Most insiders point to the spring of 2020 as the end of the road.
Why? Well, the pandemic probably didn't help. When Euphoria Season 2 production shut down in March 2020, Jacob reportedly headed back to his home in Australia while Zendaya stayed in California. Long distance is hard enough, but long distance during a global lockdown when you can't even fly to see each other? That's a relationship killer.
By September 2020, it was pretty much confirmed to be over. Jacob was spotted out with model Kaia Gerber, and Zendaya was busy winning her first Emmy. Jacob actually posted a very sweet message on his Instagram Story congratulating her, calling her "Captain," which suggests they ended things on relatively good terms—even if the internet loves to invent drama about why they don't follow each other anymore.
Key Dates to Remember
- August 2019: The Greece trip that started the fire.
- November 2019: Jacob spends Thanksgiving with Zendaya's family in Australia.
- February 2020: The famous NYC "head kiss" and Broadway date.
- Summer 2020: The rumored split as Jacob moves on with Kaia Gerber.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of people think Jacob "cheated" or that it was a "rebound" for Zendaya. Honestly? There’s no real evidence for that. The timeline between Zendaya and Kaia Gerber was close, sure, but that’s just how Hollywood works sometimes.
Also, despite what the "Tomdaya" shippers want to believe, Zendaya and Tom Holland weren't actually together during this time. Tom was linked to Olivia Bolton in 2019. It seems like both Zendaya and Tom needed a little detour before they finally realized they were meant to be in 2021.
The Takeaway for Fans
If you're still looking for a "confirmation" quote where one of them says, "Yes, we were boyfriend and girlfriend," you're never going to get it. Both actors are notoriously private. Zendaya especially has always kept her personal life behind a thick curtain.
The reality is that they were a short-lived, pandemic-thwarted romance that happened during the height of their initial fame. It’s a bit of a time capsule now.
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To keep up with what's happening now, your best bet is to look at the Euphoria Season 3 updates. With the show finally moving forward, it'll be interesting to see how the dynamic on set works between the two, though their characters rarely interact anyway. You can also follow Zendaya's current engagement news, which is much more solid than the rumors of 2019.
Check out the latest filming schedules for Euphoria to see if Rue and Nate finally have more scenes together, or dive into Jacob's recent press for Frankenstein to see how he handles the spotlight these days.