Actress Halle Berry has expressed her deep admiration for Zendaya's work ethic and fashion style, revealing that she hopes to collaborate on a future project with her younger colleague.
Speaking to PEOPLE magazine on Sunday, September 20, on the sidelines of the Create & Cultivate panel event titled On Her Own Terms: Halle Berry on Menopause, Aging, & Women’s Health, the 60-year-old Hollywood star discussed her close relationship with Zendaya.
The conversation took place six days after Zendaya appeared at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony on September 14, where the 30-year-old actress drew direct visual inspiration from Berry for her red carpet look.
Halle Berry is an Academy Award winning actress who made history in 2002 as the first Black woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in Monster's Ball. Known for her starring roles in the X-Men movie franchise and the James Bond film Die Another Day, Berry is also celebrated for popularizing textured pixie hairstyles on Hollywood red carpets throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
Zendaya is an Emmy winning actress who gained global acclaim for her portrayal of Rue Bennett in the drama series Euphoria. The Primetime Emmy Awards, organized by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, are held annually to honor the finest achievements in American television.
Red Carpet Tribute and Fashion Details
At the 78th Emmy Awards, Zendaya walked the red carpet in a Prada gown covered in silver sequins, accessorized with a Rolex watch and Mikimoto pearl jewelry. She paired the outfit with a short pixie haircut styled similarly to Berry's classic look.
Hairstylist Corey Moreno noted that the event marked one of Zendaya's first public appearances with the redesigned pixie cut. He explained that the haircut featured texture and volume, delivering a modern and editorial take on the iconic hairstyle.
Prada is an Italian luxury fashion house known worldwide for haute couture and red carpet designs. Mikimoto is a historic Japanese jewelry brand famous for pioneering cultured pearls, while Rolex is a Swiss manufacturer of luxury timepieces.
Statements on Friendship and Collaboration
Berry told PEOPLE that she and Zendaya remain in touch, describing Zendaya as the sweetest person and her little sweetheart. She added that she would love for them to find a project to work on together someday.
Berry stated that she hopes a collaboration will happen in the future, noting that for the time being she is simply a passionate supporter of Zendaya's career.
Berry praised Zendaya's impact on the entertainment industry, stating that she loves everything her colleague does and believes she is changing the game in many ways for her generation. She added that she could not feel prouder of anyone or more honored that someone she knows chose to pay tribute to her in that way, calling the gesture deeply sweet.
Social Media Reactions and Past Interviews
Berry's comments to PEOPLE followed previous public messages of support on social media after Zendaya's Emmy appearance. Berry had reposted an Instagram Stories graphic originally published by image architect and stylist Law Roach.
Law Roach's post featured side-by-side images comparing Zendaya's September 14 Emmy look with Berry's arrival at the 2002 movie premiere of Die Another Day.
Law Roach is a prominent American fashion stylist and celebrity image architect who has worked extensively with major Hollywood stars to craft historic red carpet fashion moments.
In a follow-up Instagram Story, Berry wrote that Zendaya had completely killed it that evening. She also shared an interview Roach gave to fashion publication Refinery29, in which the stylist formally confirmed that Berry served as the inspiration behind Zendaya's ensemble.
Berry subsequently posted a video clip from a previous guest appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, where she had previously discussed her affection for Zendaya.
During that television appearance, Berry declared that she loves Zendaya with every fiber of her being and revealed that she would love to play Zendaya's mother on screen in a future film or television role.
The Drew Barrymore Show is an American syndicated daytime talk show hosted by actress Drew Barrymore, featuring celebrity interviews, human interest stories, and entertainment news.
