On the cover of Vogue Brazil, Zendaya says: “I like complex and interesting characters.”

With five premieres in 2026, Zendaya speaks to Vogue about her intense professional year, her predilection for complex characters, and the fundamental role of fashion in building her career.

“I think this is one of the most intense years of my life,” Zendaya told me in a brief phone call in April, as she was saying goodbye to the season of events promoting Kristoffer Borgli’s film *The Drama* and the third season of *Euphoria*. “It was only less intense than last year, when I was filming all these releases,” she added. She’s referring to the arrival on the big screen of Christopher Nolan’s epic *The Odyssey*, in which she plays the goddess Athena, and also to Michelle Jones-Watson in *Spider-Man: One More Day*. Finally, she releases *Dune: Part 3* in December.

So many releases mean that the name of the American actress, one of Hollywood’s biggest fashion icons, will be circulating on social media throughout the year, with dresses borrowed, reused, or new ones designed in partnership with Law Roach, her personal stylist and also the stylist behind the photoshoot accompanying this article. Away from the red carpets, she says her main occupation is resting, and that’s why pajamas have become her fashion obsession. Below are excerpts from our brief conversation with the charming Z, as her representatives refer to the actress.

Vogue: What does 2026 mean for your career?

Zendaya: This has been a year of concluding chapters with some characters I’ve grown with, of finishing their journey in a really beautiful way. That’s been interesting, revisiting a character like Spider-Man. But what’s interesting about this whole story is that I’m revisiting them at very different points in their lives. In practically all of them, there’s been some kind of time jump since the last time we saw them. So, being able to understand a character in a new context has been interesting.

Vogue: How do you choose your characters?

Zendaya: I like complex and interesting characters that challenge me and unfold. When I’m choosing roles, I get a lot of inspiration from the script. For me, it’s not easy to maintain attention for very long; I get distracted very easily when I’m reading. When you read a script that really captures your imagination and attention, when you really enter the world that’s being built and want to know what happens to these characters, that’s when I know I’m kind of on the right track. It’s important that the work is exciting, but also a little scary—like, a little healthy fear about whether or not I’ll be able to embody the character is always good. It’s a challenge for me to complete. And, of course, filmmakers. Working with specific directors motivates me.

Vogue: Among these characters debuting this year, which one is most like you?

Zendaya: What’s interesting about any character, actually, is that they teach you a lot about yourself. And even though the characters might seem very different, there’s still a lot of personal emotion, my own, that I use in each of them. And they all teach me something new about the world, and about myself, you know? They’re all parts of me or facets of me. It’s inevitable that they influence me in some way. Especially when I get attached to them, which happens to me quite a lot. It’s kind of inevitable to take a little bit of them home with me. But I usually believe in separating that, ultimately, these are characters and I try to keep their emotional lives just on screen, on set. When the director says “cut,” I usually try to detach myself from them somehow.

Vogue: Speaking about The Odyssey, in which you play Athena, that means embodying a mythological figure. How do you find humanity in a character who is literally a goddess?

Zendaya: Good question. I think it really depends on how the character was written, and I can’t say too much about it because when you watch it, it will make more sense. But the character’s humanity was already on the page and is a big part of her story. I didn’t need to do much more than follow the beautiful material that was already there for me.

Vogue: What attracts you to stories that reveal the more uncomfortable sides of intimacy, as happens with your character in The Drama?

Zendaya: That’s exactly it: that uncomfortable nature. It’s important to have art that explores difficult conversations. When I read it, I was moved and morally conflicted, with many questions and thoughts. I thought: if I’m feeling this way just reading it, imagine how someone watching it will feel. In the end, you hope that people take something away with them, that they can discuss, debate, and provoke real conversations with friends or the community. That’s a good thing. It was a text I couldn’t stop thinking about.

Vogue: Regarding Dune, what interests you most about Chani’s evolution throughout the trilogy?

Zendaya: What’s beautiful about the character is that, unlike many others, she doesn’t have superhuman abilities. She doesn’t foresee the future or control people. In the end, she’s human and often acts as a moral compass in that world. She has no ulterior motives; she just wants to protect her planet and her people. There’s something very beautiful about that: in a world full of power, she doesn’t want to be seduced by it. She prefers to dedicate her life to the greater good. That’s admirable.

Vogue: And speaking of fashion, how does your creative process work with your stylist Law Roach?

Zendaya: It’s different with every look. Sometimes it starts with a reference. Often, we use the worlds of the characters I play as a base. I have a lot of source material: sometimes the references are literal, other times more metaphorical. It’s about experimenting and building a continuous story. Promoting a film isn’t always the most fun part, so I try to stay creative and extend that visual language to the red carpet, which sometimes can be less stimulating.

Vogue: At what point in your career did you realize that fashion could also be a form of power and positioning?

Zendaya: Very early on. Law and I always used fashion to differentiate myself and create my identity outside of work. It gave me confidence and was very important in building my career.

Vogue: Can you give an example of a look that made you feel especially powerful?

Zendaya: She wore a look inspired by Joan of Arc. It was like wearing a knight’s armor, literally. It made me feel very powerful and confident. It was one of my favorites.

Vogue: Is there anything you would never wear?

Zendaya: I don’t have strict rules. The most important thing is how the clothes make me feel. I’ve learned that if I like it, that’s enough. I can’t control what other people think. In the end, the only opinion that really matters is our own. If you feel beautiful, you are beautiful.

Vogue: Do you have any current obsessions?

Zendaya: I’m in relaxed mode right now, so I practically only wear pajamas. My current obsession is pajama sets.

Vogue: What memories do you have of Brazil?

Zendaya: Every time I’ve been there it’s been for work, and I wish I could stay longer. What I take away most from Brazil is the love I receive. There’s so much joy, and the fans have a very strong presence. People are welcoming and enthusiastic. That spirit is beautiful. I remember a promotional event for Dune – I had never felt such a strong energy from the audience. It was incredible, very memorable.

Vogue: If you could talk to your 16-year-old self, what advice would you give her?

Zendaya: I would say to trust yourself. That I’m doing the right thing and I’ll recognize when something is right. Follow your instincts. When we’re young, we don’t know much – and, in fact, nobody knows completely. But it’s important to listen to yourself and follow your heart. I know that many young people follow my work, and that’s a great responsibility. I don’t take it lightly. I want my art to be free, but I’m also aware of how I present myself to the world. I try to do my best, even knowing that I won’t always have all the answers. In the end, I can only give my best.

Vogue: Aside from film, television, and fashion, what helps you remember who you are outside of your public persona?

Zendaya: Being with my family. We’re very close. I’m an aunt, and watching my nephews and nieces grow up is very important to me. They bring so much to my life, even without realizing it. Sometimes it’s simple things, like helping to redecorate my niece’s room. At that moment, I’m just Aunt Daya – and that’s everything.

Via: Vogue