Zendaya shares Serena Williams‘ reaction to her latest film. The actress revealed the tennis legend had an honest yet satisfactory response to Challengers, a fictional story with the sport at its center. Speaking with ET, the 27-year-old revealed whether or not the movie had the athletic icon’s approval.
“She was like, ‘I know there definitely weren’t real [tennis] balls,” detailed the Euphoria star. “She knows. She’s the best of the best.”
She continued to explain, “She did say that it was great considering that I had never, never touched a tennis ball before.”
“I felt like it was a good step into a more, I guess you could say, ‘grown-up’ role and into that next phase,” relayed Zendaya last year. “It was a little bit scary to take on, which I think is a good feeling. To be like, ‘Ooh, can I do this?’ You could run from that feeling and stay safe and comfortable, or you can go, ‘You know what, f**k it.’”
She continued, “What was important to me was that she was unapologetic about it. Sometimes characters who are messy and conflicted and wield power over other people are reserved for [actors] who don’t look like me, so when I get an opportunity to play a character like that, I’ma take it!” the Golden Globe winner expressed.
Challengers is due in theaters on Friday (April 26). The official synopsis reads as follows:
“From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Challengers stars Zendaya 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. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist – West Side Story), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor – The Crown) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.”
Watch the trailer below.
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A paid for ad feature for viagogo
A new initiative created to help boost fan confidence for those who are going to gigs alone has been launched ahead of Taylor Swift ‘Eras’ tour.
Created by viagogo, their first ‘Solo Socials’ event ahead of Swift’s Eras Tour shows in London – and her series of UK shows throughout June and August with support from Paramore, is designed to both boost confidence and bring like-minded fans together in an effort to help them gain confidence in attending a gig on their own and make memories before the tour. Neither Swift nor her team are involved with the venture.
The free Viagogo ‘Solo Socials’ event aimed at Swift fans will be hosted by drag queens Margo Marshall and Vicki Vivacious (from Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK) and will conduct a series of games, quizzes, and performances throughout the night.
Fans will be treated to a complimentary cocktail, friendship-bracelets and food, alongside a line-up of music, entertainment and comedy.
The event will take place on Wednesday, May 22 at Mrs Riot in Covent Garden, central London. Click here to book free tickets to the event. A limited amount of tickets will also be available to walk-ins on the night.
Viagogo’s ‘Solo Socials’ events were created after the data from a survey of 2,000 gig-going Brits commissioned by the ticketing company revealed that fans would rather miss out on attending major concerts than go on their own due to the anxiety of attending alone.
As per a press release, the data revealed that 24 per cent of fans said they lacked confidence in their own company with another 24 percent adding they wouldn’t feel safe. Twenty-two per cent of fans said that they felt ‘far too anxious’ to attend solo.
One in five (17 per cent) confessed to feeling uneasy about travelling alone to a show, while a further one in seven (13 per cent) said they’d feel ‘judged’ by others for enjoying an act by themselves.
Candy Fortescue, Head of Supply And International Ticketing for viagogo said: “From travelling solo, dining solo to dancing solo – the solo revolution is officially here. We’re witnessing a global trend where music fans are increasingly drawn to experiencing concerts by themselves, so they never have to compromise on seeing the acts they love. The data shows that while fans want to revel in their freedom, over a fifth (23 per cent) of the nation just want a chance to meet other like-minded gig-goers.”
She continued: “To play our part and inspire fan confidence before one of the decade’s biggest tours, we’ve created the first ‘Solo Socials’ event, complete with a doctor-approved, solo gig-going guide. With our help, we want more gig-lovers to create unforgettable experiences they can carry with them forever.”
The ticketing platform has also teamed up with an NHS doctor and gig-going aficionado, to share her expert tips and tricks to empower fans before one of Swift’s eight big nights at Wembley.
Dr Ally Jaffee said: “Taylor Swift fans are some of the most passionate in the world, yet the thought of many not going to see the superstar live as they’re worried about being on their own just didn’t sit right with me. Feeling nervous in a big, new environment is natural, studies show that your cortisol levels will begin to spike. However, as the viagogo study shows, leaving your comfort zone can be liberating! Almost two in five (38%) fans noted a rise in self-confidence after their first solo gig – and that could be you.
“To help more fans, I’ve pulled together seven top-tips in an easy acronym for any Swifties heading to Wembley by themselves. They could be the difference between sitting at home and getting FOMO or having the best night of your life”.
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