Zendaya led a star-studded crowd at The Drama premiere in Los Angeles on March 17, turning heads by rewearing the silk Vivienne Westwood gown she first wore to the 2015 Oscars. The fashion moment and the actress’s candid talk about filming in Boston have given the film extra buzz ahead of its wider rollout.
Who showed up and what Zendaya wore
Alongside co-star Robert Pattinson and guests including singer Kehlani, Zendaya arrived in a full-length white gown with an off-the-shoulder draped neckline, corset waist, column skirt and a small train. She completed the look with a bob and sideswept bang, chandelier Chopard earrings and the engagement ring from fiancé Tom Holland.
Zendaya’s longtime stylist, Law Roach, framed the choice as more than a fashion callback — noting the dress now carries a renewed, wedding-like symbolism as the actress portrays a newlywed opposite Pattinson in the film.
From Boston streets to late-night TV
The premiere followed a publicity wave that began while the cast was filming in Boston in 2024. Zendaya appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to share a lighthearted anecdote about being spotted on Newbury Street during production — and about how a short, unscripted cameo clip turned viral when local anchors didn’t immediately name her.
“Somebody’s like, ‘Yeah Newbury!’ Love it,” Zendaya told Kimmel, recounting the moment. She laughed that her mother would be annoyed at the surprise airtime: “My mom is going to hate that. She’s going to be like, ‘Why am I on TV?’”
Addressing wedding rumors and AI images
The Jimmy Kimmel segment also gave Zendaya a chance to directly address persistent tabloid chatter that she and Holland secretly married. She blamed AI-generated images for fueling the rumors. “Many people have been fooled by them,” she said, adding that fans who thought they’d seen wedding photos were being misled: “Babe, they’re AI.”
Why this matters now
The combination of a high-profile fashion moment, candid late-night promotion and viral on-location clips has amplified interest in The Drama before critics’ reactions or a broad release window are available. Zendaya’s choice to rewear an iconic gown underscores a recurring trend in celebrity fashion: reusing signature looks to add narrative weight at premieres.
Fan and industry reaction
Social feeds lit up after the premiere, with fans praising Zendaya’s gown and debating its symbolic resonance given her onscreen role. Industry commentators also noted the publicity value of a star-led premiere: the fashion headline, the viral Kimmel clip and the AI-wedding clarification all kept the conversation about the film active across platforms.
What’s next for the film
At the premiere, cast and producers did not announce a wide release date. Audiences can expect more promotional appearances and clips in the coming weeks as The Drama moves from festival and premiere playdates toward its distribution plan.
For now, Zendaya’s reimagined Oscars gown and her offhand Boston stories have become part of the film’s early cultural footprint — a reminder that star moments off-screen can shape how audiences see a movie before they’ve even bought a ticket.