Zendaya Recalls Meeting Tom Holland at a Chemistry Read, Says She Feels 'Extra Safe' Working with Him

Zendaya doesn’t mind mixing the personal and professional.

In Vanity Fair’s annual Hollywood Issue, the Challengers actress, 28, opened up about working with boyfriend Tom Holland, 28, whom she met at a chemistry read for 2016’s Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Asked if it is “weird” to act opposite Holland, her costar in three Spider-Man movies and an upcoming film from director Christopher Nolan, Zendaya said it was actually “strangely comfortable.”

“It’s like second nature, if anything. You feel extra safe with the person you’re acting beside. I love working with him,” she continued. 

“He’s so talented, and so passionate about what he does. He always gives things one thousand percent, even if he’s absolutely worn down. I really appreciate that about him. It feels pretty normal. That’s how we met. Literally, at a chemistry read,” Zendaya added.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Though rumors about a romance between Zendaya and Holland followed the two for years, the pair did not confirm they were in a relationship until 2021.

In an interview with GQ that November, Holland opened up about the challenges of dating Zendaya while both are in the public eye.  

"One of the downsides of our fame is that privacy isn't really in our control anymore, and a moment that you think is between two people that love each other very much is now a moment that is shared with the entire world," he said.

For her part, Zendaya stressed in the same interview that they try to keep some things private.

"The equal sentiment [we both share] is just that when you really love and care about somebody, some moments or things, you wish were your own," she said at the time. 

"I think loving someone is a sacred thing and a special thing and something that you want to deal with and go through and experience and enjoy amongst the two people that love each other,” she added.

That said, the two have offered some glimpses into their relationship — including how Holland likes to be the handyman around his girlfriend’s home.

"If something breaks in Zendaya's house, I take huge pride in fixing it," he said on The Rich Roll Podcast last month. "The other day, she has this guest room, which was ... it wasn't the greatest room, like it needed some love."

"I built her these cupboards and put a new wardrobe up for her and fitted it in so it looked like it was part of the wall. And I was very proud of myself,” he added.