Tom Holland’s Dating History: Who Did the “Spider-Man” Star Date Before His Engagement to Zendaya?

Tom Holland, the Spider-Man of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has not been very public about his love life. His outlook on relationships has remained quite clear throughout his various romances and considering his dating history, the actor has not been confirmed in too many relationships. However, it can be said that Holland has learned to manage a long-term relationship over the years despite his busy schedule. 

Zendaya and Tom Holland in Spider-Man: No Way Home | Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing

The latest hype about Holland has been about his romance with his Spider-Man costar, Zendaya. The couple has been recently in the headlines when Zendaya left many with suspense after attending the 2025 Golden Globe Awards wearing a ring that sparked her engagement rumors. However, before getting into that, let’s take a look at Holland’s previous relationships that led him to this moment.

Tom Holland’s romance rumors with Elle Lotherington, Ella Purnell, and Olivia Bolton

Ella Purnell | via Ella Purnell on Threads

Before his global name and fame, Tom Holland’s first publicly rumored relationship was with his childhood sweetheart, Elle Lotherington. Lotherington has been an assistant director for many commercials, short films, and music videos like Strangers Within and Sucka Punch.

Their relationship became public when Lotherington congratulated Holland on X in June 2015 for landing the Spider-Man role, saying, “Couldn’t be a more proud girlfriend right now.. Tom Holland, I love you. #spiderman.” Their romance was allegedly off in May 2016 when they both unfollowed each other on Instagram.

In February 2017, after Lotherington, Holland was rumored to be dating English actress Ella Purnell. The Sun reported that at the BAFTA after party, the two were constantly seen together, with the publication quoting sources saying that Holland was “leading her around the dance floor by the hand.” But their potential love interest never really started and possibly ended immediately.

As per The Sun, Holland was seen getting close with family friend Olivia Bolton at London’s Hyde Park in July 2019. None denied the rumored relationship, but they were reportedly together until April 2020, which was one of the longest-known relationships of Holland before Zendaya.

Tom Holland’s lockdown love story with Nadia Parkes

Nadia Parkes | via Nadia Parkes’ Instagram

Holland’s rumored romance with Doctor Who actress Nadia Parkes was doing the rounds in May 2020 after people started speculating that the couple had started living together during the COVID-19 lockdown in London. Sources from Daily Mail earlier reported that the former couple’s decision to stay together early in their relationship “only made them stronger.”

Their relationship went public in July 2020 when Holland posted on his Instagram a picture of a woman wearing a COVID mask. Speculations were put to rest in August 2020 when both actors made their relationship Instagram official through playful golf photos. 

Holland kept sharing their photos, which showed a different side of him that was comfortable with sharing his personal life. The actor posted a picture of Parkes at a golf club with a witty caption that said, “How stunning…. are those golf clubs.”

Their love as a couple seemed quite healthy as both kept sharing their moments publicly. However, it remains unspecified just how long Holland and Parkes dated. Their last interactions came through social media, and it remains unknown how and when exactly they split apart.

Tom Holland and Zendaya’s dating history

Tom Holland and Zendaya | via Tom Holland’s and Zendaya’s Instagram

Tom Holland and Zendaya relationship rumors started in 2017 during Spider-Man: Homecoming promotions. Although both actors jokingly dismissed their dating rumors initially, fans rooted for them as their chemistry was undeniable. Their relationship was confirmed in mid-2021 when they were seen kissing in a car. 

In September 2021, the couple went Instagram official when Holland posted a birthday post for Zendaya with the caption, “My MJ, have the happiest of birthdays. Gimme a call when you’re up xxx,” to which she replied. “Calling Now” followed by a heart emoji.

What remains constant for the two is their protective attitude toward their relationship. Speaking to GQ in an interview back in November 2021, Holland had this to say about the concept of privacy.

One of the downsides of our fame is that privacy isn’t really in our control anymore, and a moment that you think is between two people that love each other very much is now a moment that is shared with the entire world.

Zendaya at 2025 Golden Globes | Credit: Golden Globes YouTube

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Holland talked about their commitment to keeping the relationship “as sacred as possible,” stating, “We don’t think that we owe it to anyone, it’s our thing, and it has nothing to do with our careers.”

This belief has defined their relationship history throughout. However, the couple has been more relaxed about sharing their love story over the years. Zendaya was seen with Holland’s initials inscribed on a ring in March 2023, and the two started getting comfortable and appearing together more often during events and movie premieres.

Their relationship from on-screen boyfriend and girlfriend to real-life partners hit a notch higher in January 2025, at the Golden Globe Awards, where Zendaya was seen with a “t” tattoo and a ring on her left ring finger, which is speculated to be her engagement ring. According to TMZ‘s reports, the couple has been engaged. It is said that Holland proposed to Zendaya between Christmas and New Year at one of her family homes.

Tom Holland’s relationship history, from his low-profile childhood love to his high-profile affair with Zendaya, reflects his own words about being a “relationship person” (via Elle). Holland has respected privacy throughout with enough desired glimpses for his fans, maintaining a balance between private and public life.