Unlike some celebrity couples, Zendaya and Tom Holland are universally adored. They met filming the latest Spider-Man movies, where Holland is the web-slinging hero and Zendaya his love interest MJ. The couple keeps their relationship private, but they share occasional sweet moments with the public.

For Holland’s 26th birthday, Zendaya gave fans a rare glimpse into their love by posting a cute couple’s photo on Instagram. Her caption read “Happiest of birthdays to the one who makes me the happiest <3.” Holland responded with a flurry of red heart emojis, mirroring the love fans showered on the post.

This isn’t the first time they’ve shared birthday love on social media. Last September, Holland posted a sweet picture for Zendaya’s 25th birthday – a behind-the-scenes mirror selfie from the Spider-Man set. His playful caption said “My MJ, have the happiest of birthdays. Gimme a call when [you’re] up xxx”.

INSTAGRAM / @TOMHOLLAND2013

Though they met on Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2016, their relationship stayed under wraps until 2021 when leaked photos of them kissing went viral. This intrusion into their private lives left them frustrated.

Tom Holland spoke to GQ about the incident, saying, “Fame can be a double-edged sword. A special moment between two people can become public news in an instant. I try to keep my personal life private, but sometimes it feels impossible.”

Zendaya echoed his sentiment, describing the public interest as “strange, weird, and invasive.” She believes “love is something sacred and special, best experienced privately by the two people involved.”