How Those Zendaya Sex Scenes In ‘Challengers’ Went Down

Everyone take some deep breaths… because on April 26 we get to witness what will surely be the greatest sports movie of the century. I would know because I’ve seen lots of sports movies. So many. In Challengers, Zendaya plays Tashi, a tennis legend-turned-coach who navigates her husband playing in a challenger event against her ex-boyfriend. If you’ve seen the A++ trailer, you know that things get rather steamy, and there’s low-key sexual tension between all three main characters. It’s no surprise given that the film was directed by Luca Guadagnino, the man who gave us Call Me By Your Name and Bones and All. (G-rated, family friendly films.)

Although Zendaya’s madly in love with Tom Holland in real life, she’s a Hollywood pro and does have experience with on-screen relationships and intimate scenes. Yes, I’m obviously referring to Shake It Up. Fortunately, it sounds like the Challengers team made sure that everyone was comfortable with the more sensual parts. Zendaya’s commented on the sex scenes here and there, so I’ve rounded up her quotes on the extremely important subject.

Does Zendaya Have A Threesome In Challengers?

The first trailer does show Zendaya kissing both gentlemen on a bed… but we’ll just have to wait and see if that makeout sesh leads to more.

What Has Zendaya Said About Her Challengers Sex Scenes?

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During an interview on the red carpet of the Italian premiere, the Euphoria star revealed that there was an intimacy coordinator on set. “We had an intimacy coordinator which was fantastic and very helpful, because it was important that we felt safe,” she said. Zendaya also made sure to get to know her co-stars before those *special* scenes. She added, “I spoke with my colleagues so that we could find a way to feel at ease. We played tennis together, we went out together, we rehearsed together. We got to bond and feel good with each other.” Love that for my favorite tennis players.

She Previously Admitted That The Role Was “Scary” To Take On

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Is this… Zendaya’s Bangerz era? Her JoJo Siwa “Karma” era perhaps? (Im kiddingggg.) “I felt like it was a good step into a more, I guess you could say, ‘grown-up’ role and into that next phase,” she told Elle about Challengers. “It was a little bit scary to take on, which I think is a good feeling. To be like, ‘Oh, can I do this?’ You could run from that feeling and stay safe and comfortable, or you can go, ‘You know what, fuck it.’” I support this message and cannot wait to see this cinematic masterpiece.