The 2026 Academy Awards ceremony will be remembered by viewers not only for the triumph of filmmakers but also for the subtle details of the main Hollywood stars’ looks. One of the most discussed personalities of the evening was Zendaya, who, without even walking the red carpet, managed to capture everyone’s attention. Appearing on stage to present an award, the actress demonstrated not only impeccable taste in clothing but also an intimate detail of her style – a tiny tattoo in the shape of the letter ‘T’ on her ribs. This laconic symbol, first noticed by the public back in 2025, once again provoked a wave of discussion on social media and among tattoo industry experts.
For her triumphant appearance, Zendaya chose an exquisite one-shoulder brown dress from the fashion house Louis Vuitton. The elegant cut with a deep side slit allowed fans and photographers to see the miniature tattoo located on the right side of her rib cage. This symbol was first spotted at the Golden Globes in 2025 and has since been considered a touching dedication to her beloved, actor Tom Holland. When Zendaya took the stage with Robert Pattinson to present the award for “Best Director,” the flashes of cameras captured this small reminder of personal affection, which instantly went viral online.
Art in Details: The Story Behind the Tattoo
The story of this body art dates back to January 2025. It was then that Zendaya and Tom Holland decided to solidify their relationship with matching tattoos. While Zendaya’s ribs bear the letter ‘T’ (Tom), Holland got a symmetrical ‘Z’ (Zendaya) in the same spot. The artist behind these works was the talented tattoo artist Lily Yarnrid from the renowned Boston Tattoo Company, located on Newbury Street. In an interview with People magazine, Lily noted that working with the star couple was a real pleasure: “They were very sweet to work with, and it was a really fun experience.”