Zendaya sparks backlash for wearing 3,000-year-old earrings to promote The Odyssey as critics slam ‘disrespectful’ stunt

Zendaya sparked criticism for wearing 3000-year-old earrings during her recent press tour for The Odyssey.

The 29-year-old actress, who plays the role of goddess Athena in Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of Homer’s Greek epic, wore her jewelry during a photo shoot in London earlier this month.

Iranian 18 carat yellow gold medallion discs date back to B.C. CNN.

The pieces are attributed to the Ziwiye hoard and were discovered nearly 100 years ago, in the 1940s.

The diamond-encrusted earrings were designed by London-based jeweler Glenn Spiro and were later acquired by Barron London.

Barron London told CNN that “the ancient gold discs are held in a simple, non-invasive claw arrangement that does not alter or damage the original objects in any way.”

‘Cultural heritage rightly inspires important conversations and we welcome informed dialogue about its provenance, conservation and appreciation of exceptional craftsmanship.’

The jeweler also stated: ‘At a time when Iran is often viewed through the lens of current events, we hope these earrings will serve as a reminder of the country’s enduring artistic, cultural and historical heritage.’

Zendaya, whose stylist is Law Roach, paired the earrings with a white Jacquemus dress that featured flowing fabric that reached all the way down her back.

This week, some social media users gave their thoughts on the earrings.

One wrote: ‘I’m tired of the constant ‘disrespect’ towards other countries’, while another wrote: ‘As an archeology student.’ I HATE THIS. They should be in a museum.’

‘I’m glad they’ve been preserved, but shouldn’t ancient artifacts be in museums? I think these should be in a museum but that’s just my opinion,’ one fan wrote.

Someone on Reddit posted: ‘I love Zendaya but I don’t think 3000 year old jewelery should be lent out any. Like, this is really crazy hahaha.’

Another said: ‘It’s great but I feel bad wearing a piece of art like this. Unless these are widely available.’

Barron London told CNN that “the ancient gold discs are held in a simple, non-invasive claw arrangement that does not alter or damage the original objects in any way.”

The actress, whose stylist is Law Roach, wore the jewelry during a photo shoot in London earlier this month.

‘As an archeology student. I HATE THIS. One commenter wrote that these should be in a museum

Others also defended the star, calling him “problem-free”

‘Why don’t you just wear a copy?’ one Reddit user questioned.

But one fan also came to Zendaya’s defense, writing: ‘This is not a problem people should get over.’

In the comment section of a topic Instagram post In the photo shared by user @northwitch69, one said: ‘I love it but the designer should have acted more responsibly and not used a valuable historical artifact as earrings for a movie premiere.

‘We must protect history even if the historical ruins are not in their original places.’

But another wrote: ‘To be fair there will only be one team that will respect them and that’s Zendaya and Law.’

‘As an Iranian, I find this whole situation extremely sad. One fan wrote that this piece is a part of Iran’s history and cultural heritage and should not be in the possession of anyone outside of Iran and its people.

‘It was taken from Iran and turned into an earring. If it had stayed in its country, it would have been protected and kept in a museum.’

Another added: ‘I love Zendaya but wearing looted art is probably not a good look.’

The Daily Mail has reached out to Zendaya’s representatives for comment but has yet to receive a response.

Zendaya turned heads with her jaw-dropping look while promoting The Odyssey before the film’s official release on July 17; Spotted in New York on Tuesday

Other celebrities have previously reacted to their own fashion choices on the red carpet.

Kim Kardashian especially wore the iconic dress that Marilyn Monroe wore when she sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to President John F. Kennedy in 1962.

The reality star wore this ensemble while attending the 2022 Met Gala. She later expressed her regret over her appearance on an episode of The Kardashians.

The TV personality recalled that she had to change once she arrived at the event to avoid causing damage during the trip.

‘I can’t sit in the car, I can’t take that risk. Very fragile friends. Nobody can touch me. So if someone touches me and their oils get on my clothes… it’s too risky to get in the car and leave the hotel and do that.’

Kardashian added: ‘So all this; losing weight, dyeing her hair for 30 hours, leaving the hotel in a bathrobe, getting there, changing on the red carpet, walking to the top of the red carpet, then changing back into a replica of the dress.

‘Cause we can’t risk sitting there having dinner, all for maybe 10 minutes of my life, just on the red carpet. That’s it.”

Earlier this year in January, Margot Robbie chose to wear Elizabeth Taylor’s Taj Mahal diamond necklace worth $8 million.

Kim Kardashian wore the iconic dress that Marilyn Monroe wore when she sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to President John F. Kennedy in 1962; Seen at the 2022 Met Gala

Robbie also wore a replica of a 175-year-old bracelet made from the Brontë sisters’ locks at the London premiere of Wuthering Heights in February.

Zendaya recently turned heads with her jaw-dropping looks while promoting The Odyssey ahead of the film’s official release on July 17.

The actress played the role of goddess Athena in Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s Greek epic, while her husband Tom Holland played the character of Telemachus.

The project received rave reviews, with some hailing it as “brilliant” and a “masterpiece”.

In addition to Odyssey, the lovebirds will also appear on the big screen together in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which will be released on July 30.

talking last month Esquire UKHolland eventually confirmed that both he and Zendaya said ‘Yes.’

The actor was asked if some of his family members thought they missed the wedding after artificial intelligence-generated ‘wedding’ photos were filtered on social media and the internet.

“No, because they were all there,” he said simply. ‘That’s the only thing you can do about it.’

Margot Robbie wore a replica of a 175-year-old bracelet made from the Brontë sisters’ locks at the London premiere of Wuthering Heights in February (seen above)

Zendaya, who also starred in the third season of Euphoria and the movie The Drama this year, shared her plans to move away from the spotlight.

While we were talking recently Fun Tonight At the New York premiere of The Odyssey, the actor gave some insight into what he’ll do in his free time.

‘Oh girl, there’s nothing. Just mind my business, you understand? And stay on my own,’ he said. ‘It’s such a whirlwind that it’s like you’re in a new place every second and your brain is somehow everywhere.’

She added, ‘It’s fun and I’m grateful and I wouldn’t change a thing, but sometimes, you know, you just have to disappear for a while.’