{"id":49894,"date":"2024-03-27T09:20:03","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T05:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/?post_type=articles&p=250295"},"modified":"2024-03-27T09:48:25","modified_gmt":"2024-03-27T05:48:25","slug":"zendaya-challengers-premiere-sydney","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/me\/articles\/zendaya-challengers-premiere-sydney\/","title":{"rendered":"Winner Takes All: Zendaya Serves In Custom Loewe At The Premiere Of “Challengers” In Sydney"},"content":{"rendered":"
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 26: Zendaya attends the Australian premiere of “Challengers” at the State Theatre on March 26, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images) (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hollywood superstar Zendaya<\/a> is currently serving looks all the way Down Under in Sydney, Australia, sauntering across the red carpet for the global opening premiere of her latest film, the sports romance Challengers<\/em>.<\/a><\/p>\n

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 26: Zendaya attends the Australian premiere of “Challengers” at the State Theatre on March 26, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by James Gourley\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Given Melbourne plays host to the first major tennis championship on the world\u2019s tournament schedule with the Australian Open<\/a>, it was only fitting that the cast, including The Crown\u2019s<\/em><\/a> Josh O\u2019Connor and breakout Broadway star Mike Faist, select Sydney to introduce the deliciously physical drama to the world.<\/p>\n

Directed by Luca Guadagnino\u2014which should be enough to hint at the throughline of sensuality and carnal desire that underpins the film, if the trailer didn\u2019t convince you already\u2014Challengers<\/em> sees Zendaya helm and produce her first official leading role as Tashi Duncan.<\/p>\n

After suffering a career-ending injury, Tashi switches her focus (but not her intensity) to coach her meekly-ambitious husband Art Donaldson (Faist). But when the Donaldsons are inadvertently forced to confront their shared past through a ‘challengers’ match with Tashi\u2019s ex-boyfriend and Art\u2019s former best friend, Patrick Zweig (O\u2019Connor), the tethers that bind them together wrap and unravel in a beautiful display of adrenaline, athleticism and intoxication only Guadagnino is capable of.<\/p>\n

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 26: Zendaya attends the Australian premiere of “Challengers” at the State Theatre on March 26, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But if this competitive dynamic is explored in the film, there was only palpable camaraderie discerned between the cast. A shared press tour wardrobe of statement LOEWE pieces<\/a> was evidence of this synergy.<\/p>\n

As the Spanish luxuriate\u2019s creative director Jonathan Anderson on board as the costume designer for the project, Zendaya looked to his tongue-in-cheek design approach for a custom piece to present Challengers<\/em> to the world. As the 27-year-old is in the business of sartorially referencing her films through fashion<\/a>, Zendaya brought home her own grand slam in a lawn green crystal-encrusted dress adorned with a tennis player and ball motif.<\/p>\n

The plunging neckline and diamantes glistened under the lights of one of Sydney\u2019s oldest institutions, with her celebrity stylist and image architect Law Roach close by to ensure the racket and thigh-high split were, to borrow a tennis term, down the line. A serve indeed.<\/p>\n

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 26: Zendaya attends the Australian premiere of “Challengers” at the State Theatre on March 26, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by James Gourley\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But the literal embodiment of the movie\u2019s themes wasn\u2019t the only ace. Rather, her freshly dyed blonde bob<\/a> that she styled into an updo. Zendaya had been teasing her interpretation of tennis-core<\/a> with her courtside attire at the 2023 US Open and, more recently, her date with Tom Holland at the Indian Wells Open.<\/a> But who needs that when you can come dressed as the court itself? Game, set, match.<\/p>\n

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 26: Zendaya attends the Australian premiere of “Challengers” at the State Theatre on March 26, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by James Gourley\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before the movie, the cast gathered to address the audience before what was the first time they ever watched the film in a cinema with a live gallery. \u201cI always cherish being [in Australia] with everyone and the warm and loving environment and reception we get every time we get to be here,\u201d Zendaya gushed to onlookers. \u201cThis could not be a better place to start this film. I\u2019m always worried that no one is going to come to watch the movie but there are people here, so this is great!\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking on her role, including her work producing, Zendaya also added that the experience was \u201cincredibly special and grateful\u201d. \u201cTo have an experience with someone who is clearly a very talented filmmaker and being able to watch how [Guadagnino] works and creates\u2026it\u2019s very special to collaborate in that very real way, behind the camera as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 26: Zendaya attends the Australian premiere of “Challengers” at the State Theatre on March 26, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 26: Zendaya attends the Australian premiere of “Challengers” at the State Theatre on March 26, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Challengers will be released in Australian theatres on April 18. Before then, ensure you watch the trailer for the film below.<\/em><\/p>\n