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【London, Unit】Zendaya Faces Criticism After Wearing Ancient Earrings on The Odyssey Press Tour

Jul 18, 2026

Editor’s Note

**Editor’s Note:** Zendaya’s choice to wear 3,000-year-old earrings on *The Odyssey* press tour has sparked debate over the line between cultural appreciation and commodification. As ancient artifacts become red-carpet accessories, we examine the ethical implications of treating history as fashion.

Zendaya is facing backlash after wearing 3,000-year-old earrings on the The Odyssey press tour, with critics questioning whether ancient artifacts should be used as fashion statements.

Controversy Over Ancient Artifacts as Fashion Accessories

Zendaya has come under fire after wearing a pair of 3,000-year-old earrings while promoting her new film, The Odyssey, with some critics calling the move “disrespectful.”
The 29-year-old actress, who plays the goddess Athena in Christopher Nolan’s Hollywood adaptation of Homer’s Greek epic, wore the historic jewelry during a photo call in London earlier this month. The Iranian 18-karat yellow gold medallion discs are believed to date back to the first millennium B.C., according to CNN. The pieces are linked to the Ziwiye hoard and were originally discovered in the 1940s, nearly a century ago.
London-based jeweler Glenn Spiro designed the earrings, which are bordered by diamonds and were later acquired by Barron London.
Her appearance comes after she officially wrapped Euphoria.

Jeweler’s Defense and Cultural Context

The company defended the design, telling CNN,

“The ancient gold discs are held within a simple, noninvasive claw setting that does not alter or damage the original objects in any way. Cultural heritage rightly inspires important conversations, and we welcome informed dialogue about provenance, preservation, and the appreciation of exceptional craftsmanship.”

The jeweler also said,

“At a time when Iran is frequently viewed through the lens of contemporary events, we hope these earrings can serve as a reminder of the country’s enduring artistic, cultural, and historical legacy.”

Zendaya, styled by Law Roach, paired the earrings with a white Jacquemus dress featuring draped detailing down the back.

Public Reaction and Online Debate

Despite the explanation, the look quickly sparked debate online. One person wrote,

“Exhausted with the continuous ‘disrespect’ to other Countries,”

while another said,

“As an archeology student. I HATE THIS. They should be in a museum.”

A third added,

“While I’m glad they’re preserved, shouldn’t ancient artifacts be in a museum? I think these should be in a museum but thats my opinion.”

The conversation continued on Reddit, where one user posted,

“I love zendaya but i don’t think 3,000 year old jewelry should be lent out to anyone. Like, that’s actually crazy lol.”

Another commented,

“Cool, but something feels off about wearing an artifact like that. Unless those were commonly found,”

while someone else questioned,

“Why not just wear a replica?”

Not everyone agreed with the backlash. One fan defended the actress, writing,

“This is a non-issue that people need to get over.”

In the comment section of an Instagram post shared by user @northwitch69, one person wrote,

“I love her, but the designer should’ve been more responsible and not used such as a valuable historical piece as an earring for a movie premiere. We should take care of history, even when the historical remains aren’t in their original places.”

Another added,

“Well, to be fair, there’s only really going to be one team that will have respect for them, and that’s Zendaya and Law.”

Others raised concerns about cultural ownership. One person wrote,

“As an Iranian, I find this whole situation deeply upsetting. This piece is a part of Iran’s history and cultural heritage, and it should not be in the hands of anyone other than Iran and its people. It was taken from Iran and transformed into an earring, while if it had stayed in its homeland, it would have been protected and preserved in a museum.”

Another said,

“Love Zendaya, but wearing artifacts that were likely looted is not a good look.”

Representatives for Zendaya have been contacted for comment, but have not responded.

Comparisons to Past Controversies

The moment has drawn comparisons to past controversies over historic fashion pieces. Kim Kardashian faced criticism after wearing Marilyn Monroe’s 1962 “Happy Birthday” dress to the 2022 Met Gala, and later admitted to the risks involved.

“I can’t sit in a car, I can’t risk it. It’s so fragile, you guys. No one can touch me. So if anyone touches me and gets their oils on the dress… It’s too risky to get in the car and leave from the hotel and do it,” Kardashian said at the time.

She added,

“So, all of this – losing the weight, dying the hair for 30 hours, leaving the hotel in a robe, getting there, changing on the red carpet, just walking to the top of the red carpet, then changing again into a replica of the dress. Because we can’t risk sitting in it and eating dinner, it’s all for maybe 10 minutes of my life, just on the red carpet. Like, that’s it.”

Zendaya has otherwise been praised for her fashion choices throughout the press tour for The Odyssey, ahead of the film’s July 17 release. She stars alongside Tom Holland, who plays Telemachus. The couple will also appear together in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, set to hit theaters on July 30.

The project has already received strong reactions, with some viewers calling it “god-tier” and a “masterpiece.”

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⏰ Published on: July 18, 2026