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Zendaya has faced backlash on Instagram after starring in a tennis ad for sportswear brand On. The actress, 27, created so much hype with her 2024 Challengers movie earlier this year, she’s since landed herself a multi-year ambassador status with On. However, it looks like the brand’s social media followers aren’t welcoming her.
In early July, On shared a fun video of Zendaya playing tennis with former Swiss tennis player Roger Federer. Outfitted in a cute white outfit as she highlighted her toned figure on the court, Zendaya checked boxes for tennis girl style, but users following On seem convinced that the brand shouldn’t have hired a major celebrity as its face. Zendaya had also faced backlash of a similar nature when debuting her brand deal in June.
Zendaya Shows Off Tennis Girl Style On Instagram
Going head-to-head with 43-year-old Federer after casually spotting him in the On store while perusing sneakers, Zendaya kicked things off by peeping under her shades to make sure it was really him.
Giving a nod to her Tashi Duncan character in Challengers, Zendaya then slipped Roger a note, one reading: “‘Me & YOU, AIR TENNIS, 3PM.” He showed up.
Footage then switched to a tennis court, where Zendaya and the former World No. 1 player hit up a rally and kept the ball going. The footage ended with Zendaya throwing up her serve as “Dream On” appeared in text in the video. Keeping stylish in a form-fitting, sleeveless top in white, Zendaya looked ready for Wimbledon in her leggy white miniskirt. Of course, the actress was outfitted in a pair of sneakers from the brand she fronts.
Fans Making It Clear She’s Not Welcome
In a caption, On wrote: “Two icons. One match. @Zendaya and @rogerfederer go head to head in an epic game of air tennis.”
Over 140 fans have now agreed with a comment reading:
“Please On!!!!! How dare? Roger with that woman??? Who is she?? What’s next, Kardashian? On is an awesome company in other level [sic]… cool, stylish, etc…”
Meanwhile, over 200 fans liked a reply filled with eye-roll emoji. “I really don’t know what people sees in her….,” the user wrote. Amid the backlash, some users did come out to defend Zendaya, who plays a tennis player in Challengers.
Thinking that the hate wasn’t appropriate, one fan fired back, stating: “She’s an incredibly talented actress. In many films. Look her up.”
Zendaya has shot up fast, going from former Disney face to A-lister actress, complete with the A-lister boyfriend.
The girlfriend to Tom Holland has also climbed the fashion ranks. She now fronts luxury designer Louis Vuitton, plus high-end jeweler Bulgari. Zendaya does not, however, share her On promos to Instagram, where she seems to choose her posts carefully.
