Zendaya is a robust presence as Tashi Duncan – her biggest departure yet – in her latest film. Tashi may be very independent with a laser focus, exuding confidence and sexuality, with a bent to be manipulative.

Not only does Zendaya capture this complex balance with expert precision, but she also does so by portraying the character at very different points in her life – from a pre-college teenager to a married mother in her 30s.

“I kept turning the pages,” Zendaya says of the film’s script. “It was like a challenge. The character was incredibly complex, chaotic and difficult.”

The tennis romantic drama directed by Luca Guadagnino and co-produced by Zendaya herself tells the story of the matches played each on and off the court between tennis prodigy turned coach Tashi and childhood friends and tennis partners turned distant enemies. Donaldson (Mike Faist) and Patrick (Josh O’Connor).

Married to Art and currently on a losing streak after achieving greatness because of her training, Tashi’s plans to redeem his profession are thwarted when the couple meets Patrick, Art’s former friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend. As the past and present collide, tensions mount and Tashi must decipher what it can take to win. From 2006 to 2019, we see Tashi in various stages of early maturity as she navigates her profession, family, and sophisticated love life.

“For me, it was just about keeping track of who she was emotionally,” the actress said of taking Tashi from her teens to her 30s. “Who is she, where is she and what is this injury doing to her. When she’s younger, there’s a certain level of carefreeness and joy in her – there’s a spark in her that fades over time and she becomes jaded and desperate to hold on as much as she can to keep her life together.”

Maintaining what Zendaya describes as a “false calm,” Tashi strives to attain goals and take responsibility – a state of being the actress says is all too familiar to many Black women.

The film never directly addresses Tashi’s racial identity, despite depicting a love triangle between a black woman and two white men. However, as Zendaya points out, her Blackness influences several key elements of the story.

“It’s something that’s been done in a sophisticated way,” he tells ESSENCE. “Her connection to tennis and why she is so obsessed with it is due to her access to it. Because he doesn’t come from the identical privileged background as these two boys. Because there may be nothing left to lean on. Because her family couldn’t afford the varsity they went to, and so they didn’t want her to go there anyway.

“There are certain aspects specific to her experience that I think seem very genuine and also inform her relationship with the boys,” Zendaya says. “It may not be the first conversation, but yes [woven] all the time in a very beautiful, nuanced way, because it’s true. This is her reality, her psyche and the reason why she goes through life the way she does.”

is already in cinemas across Poland.

It’s no wonder that Zendaya won fans over along with her stunning glamor (2024) premiere ahead of today’s nationwide release. Dyeing her hair honey blonde, the actress kicked off her latest romantic sports film – during which she plays tennis star-turned-coach “Tashi” – with striking hairstyles, viral tennis braids and bouffant ’70s hairstyles.

“One of the things I love most about working with Zendaya is the challenge,” celebrity hairstylist Urszula Stefan says ESSENCE. Using an intensive arsenal of hair care products, Stephen supports the actress in taking care of her hair health with low-temperature hairstyles. “I’m always finding alternative ways to create these fantastic red carpet and editorial looks using the right products.”

Game, set, match! Below, Stephen breaks down all the gorgeous moments from Zendaya’s tour.

‘Old Money’: Sydney, March 26

The first stop on Zendaya’s press tour was a blonde bob and a courtside ride. “We wanted to feel the atmosphere of old money,” says Stephen. Referring to the million-dollar tennis clubs in old Hollywood mansions, her fashion stylist Law Roach “wanted it to appear like she was dragging [her hair] she got up on her own. As if she was just walking off the court with a racket in her hand, Zendaya turned her perky bob right into a feathered hairstyle paired with a Loewe gown for the State Theater ballgame.

After shampooing and conditioning, Stephen prepped his hair with conditioner Heat protection foundation and drying with a SexHair dryer before you blow it out. “Once the hair was blown out, I added Velcro rollers to each section to add volume,” she says. “After styling my hair, I removed the rollers and brushed the hair to soften the look” – hence the feathery, flying details. Then she added volume with The Hair Shop 18 inch tight clip ins round her head, teasing her brown roots, before gathering her hair right into a low bun and securing the look with rubber bands and pins.

“Finally, I styled my fringe and left it down to frame my face for a casual look,” closing it with Big SexyHair And Play volumizing hairspray.

“The bomb explodes”: Paris, April 6

Heading to Paris, Zendaya visited town for the second time in two months (the primary for her premiere) and third time this yr. But it so happens that she showed three looks in someday. First, the old French money look with a white headband worn with Louis Vuitton by Marc Jacobs checkerboard coat. Then she livened up her upturned bob with a playful bang. She ended the night at UGC Normandie with a bombshell paired with Bulgari diamonds.

For that last look, Stephen stretched out Healthy Smooth Stunner Blowout sexy hair cream, blow-dry the actress’s hair straight for a silky finish. Then she added, from the neck to the temple clip-in clips from The Hair Shop so as to add length to your bob. “The Hair Shop has the best color selection to highlight Zendaya’s new blonde look,” he says, who looked like Sandy Blonde (#840). After application heat protectantStephen went through the spraying section by section Big Sexy Stay hairspray Intense hold before curling your hair with a big curling iron.

“Since we wanted a smooth and shiny look, I added a few drops The Hair Shop silk drops to enhance the shine,” she says. “I brushed my hair and tucked it behind my ears on both sides to make it effortless,” after which applied hairspray to carry it in place overnight.

“Sharon’s Stone in Rome”: Rome, April 8

“We wanted to create a strong but sexy effect. Think: Sharon Stone – she was our inspiration,” says Stephen. During the third stop of the tour, Zendaya showed off her claw-clip hairstyle in Rome. With Stone’s major 65-year power outage cleared, the 27-year-old stepped into the role of leading lady in . To do that, “we began with clean, damp hair and added SexoHair root and root pump– says Stefan. “This volumizing spray mousse will give us the firmness and lift we need to maintain all night long.”

Drying his hair away from his head, Stephen added volume after which curled the mid-sections with a big curling iron. Silk drops from her Parisian bombshell were massaged in, making her hair shine like Bulgari jewels. “Then we caressed the top of her hair, used a brush to tie it into a low bun, secured it with a rubber band, and pinned the loose hair close to her head.” As the ultimate detail, the hairdresser pulled and separated the crown, after which the style was set with volumizing hairspray.

‘Braid and Bow’: London, April 10

In London style, Stephen referenced Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova. It’s probably essentially the most overt nod to the “literal approach to the braid and bow,” she says. As easy because the look – combined with the custom Thom Browne a sporty halter-neck mesh dress and red lips – the execution had us wondering. A chunk the scale of 1 / 4 Strongly holding SexHair Hard Up gel the look began; apply to your complete length of the hair, hairline and nape for strong hold.

“Then we combed the hair into a ponytail and secured it with a rubber band,” she says before putting it on Wrapped ponytail in a hairdressing shop extension for an extended look. Holding the extension with hairspray, “we braided the ponytail, securing it with a tiny invisible elastic band.”

“Unfinished Do”: Los Angeles, April 16

“We didn’t want to compete with the dress,” says Stephen, referring to the deconstructed version of Zendaya Vera Wang ball gown. At home in Los Angeles, the actress’ lace bra mimicked underwear, and her hair complemented her bedtime outfit well. “We thought simplicity was the most sensible thing,” says the hairdresser. “The slightly open lacing matched the sex appeal of the corset.” The bedhead ballerina bun, prepared with blowout cream, was blow-dried with a voluminous root.

Adding narrow clips to the highest of her head, “I then tied all the hair into a ponytail, secured it with a rubber band, and then twisted and pinned the hair into a donut,” she says. The well-rested look would not be complete without some texturizing powder, which Stephen applied to the hairline and nape of the neck. While working with the product, she “used her fingertips to move the hair in circular motions to create a fluffy, airy, ‘messy’ texture.” In this manner, the unfinished “done” is the right style to finish a month-long press tour.

Spring has arrived and the remnants of growth and recent beginnings hang in the atmosphere. This is the time after we start spring cleansing and reorganizing our homes and wardrobes. In the spirit of renewal, it’s equally vital to activate your mind with each season that comes. And after all, books are an incredible approach to restore and refresh your pondering!

Our favorite must-read books for spring include the genres of fantasy, historical fiction, kid’s literature, kid’s romance, Southern Gothic, magical realism, and more. For those that enjoy positive depictions of black love, books like Etta Easton are on the list. For others preferring historical fiction, there may be bestselling creator Lauren Blackwood. And for others preferring suspenseful psycho-thrillers, there is a gripping recent novel by Alyssa Cole.

by Piper Huguley (April 2, 2024)

In , the very close relationship between Portia Washington and Alice Roosevelt, the daughters of Booker T. Washington and President Theodore Roosevelt. The twentieth century was a time of great changes. In many circumstances, racial and social constructs have attempted to be defined based on ethnicity and social status. But in this beautiful historical novel, the daughters of two powerful statesmen forged a real bond that transcended race and politics.

by Ciera Burch (April 2, 2024)

There is a clever and clichéd saying that what happens in the dark at all times involves light. And that is the case with Ciera Burch’s good young adult novel. The motion takes place in a haunted town bathed in secrets, where “echoes” of ancestral spirits flow through the atmosphere, family dramas, racial trauma and supernatural elements collide. If you’re keen on the Southern Gothic genre combined with magical realism, you will likely be enchanted by the pages of this nuanced and intriguing read. If you liked Kasi Lemmons’ Eve’s Bayou, you may be pleased.

by Etta Easton (April 9, 2024)

When Amerie Prince meets her ex and his recent girlfriend, she panics and pretends to be dating a hot guy she just met, and she or he happens to simply accept. However, this fake boy just isn’t an bizarre man, he’s an astronaut! And its gravitational pull on Amerie is powerful. With only three months left until his next start, Amerie must determine whether he desires to follow his heart or stay protected. This book is ideal for many who love positive depictions of black love. And what’s cuter than an astronaut combined with an event planner? Yes, opposites do attract in this fun read!

by Alyssa Cole (April 16, 2024)

Bestselling creator Alyssa Cole has masterfully written a riveting and fascinating book that intricately weaves the story of the good preservationist Kenetria Nash, who suffers from dissociative identity disorder, a historic estate on an isolated island in the Hudson River, and murder. Kenetra and her alter personalities are in for a surprise when a gaggle of strangers appear and disrupt her life on the island. is an intriguing read from start to complete, shedding light on the often misunderstood diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder.

(April 16, 2024)

is a fast-paced read that quickly transports the reader right into a well-crafted story that focuses on class, race, female friendship, grief, social justice, and the belief that nothing is because it first seems. Elizabeth Smith lives a seemingly perfect life, but after her best friend dies, her obsession together with his murder begins to unravel her. So he hires a private assistant, the very composed Brianna, who soon proves to be an incredible asset. Although Brianna is hired to distract Elizabeth from her preoccupation along with her friend’s death, she soon learns that Brianna also has her own reasons for searching for to find the truth behind the murder. Brianna desires to know who killed her black son, who in Elizabeth’s neighborhood called the police on him, and “why.” This gripping novel not only explores grief, but additionally justice, motives, and the deeply flawed nature of man, regardless that he often has good intentions.

by Myah Ariel (April 16, 2024)

Kaliya Wilson has at all times desired to make movies, but after a few years of working as a receptionist at a movie studio, she feels bored and like her dreams are out of reach. Until Danny Prescott, a former friend and now a renowned director, makes her a suggestion she will’t refuse. If you’re keen on second probabilities, see positive depictions of black love, and browse well-written, multi-dimensional characters, you may love Myah Ariel’s debut novel. Ariel has spent several years working in the entertainment industry and this real-life experience has contributed to the concise writing that is certain to make this book successful! It reads like a cute romantic comedy that may definitely make an interesting movie.

by Kellye Garrett (April 30, 2024)

When Bree wakes up in the fancy Airbnb that her boyfriend rented for a pleasant getaway, she quickly realizes that her boyfriend is not any longer there. And in the hall there may be the body of a dead white woman. A suspenseful, page-turning, honest talk from Black crime creator Kellye Garrett Missing white woman syndromehow social media currently affects the judicial system, and in the recent reality in which the rush to offer information first can negatively impact the integrity of journalism.

by Lauren Blackwood (May 14)

Named as “one of the most anticipated books of the year” by , is a historical fantasy novel set in Pennsylvania in 1863 and a fresh take on the Civil War. Jerusalem is a Saint working for the union who fought for her freedom and just isn’t easily moved. “War doesn’t frighten Jerusalem. She is a saint. With powerful reflexes, stamina, and demigod-style strength, she is fearless. And he has one goal – revenge. If you enjoy reading about demigods (think Percy Jackson and the Olympians), hatching vampires, and “love under the stars,” you may love reading the latest from this bestseller.

by Terah Shelton Harris (May 14, 2024)

delves into the current topic of huge corporations attempting to buy up historically black land. When King Solomon, the patriarch of Solomon’s house, lay on his deathbed, he had just one request. It reads: “Don’t let the white man take over the house.” After their father’s death, the 4 Solomon siblings return home to North Carolina on a mission to avoid wasting their ancestral land. Their worlds appear to collapse as intergenerational trauma, family secrets and facades crumble. This book is a force that lightly sheds light on the bonds that bind family, history, and so rather more.

by Renee Watson (May 7, 2024)

Newberry Award and Coretta Scott King Award winner Renee Watson comes from her recent adult novel, Skin & Bones, which follows 40-year-old Lena Baker, who’s finally getting married. She’s thriving, has an incredible group of friends, and is getting married in a number of weeks. Everything is high quality until her fiancé drops a bombshell that shakes her to her core and changes the trajectory of her seemingly balanced life. After her fiancé’s confession, Lena must now teach her daughter self-love while dealing along with her self-esteem and life. Skin & Bone skillfully explores sisterhood, motherhood, faith and love.

by Andrea Hairston (May 7, 2024)

Andrea Hairston’s book is out of this world, implausible and brilliantly written. This book is the epitome of the fantasy genre and more. The book’s description reads: “The water wars shook the world. Flood refugees flee. Disruptors and nostalgia militia roam the roads, wreaking havoc. The Invisible Lords of the Darknet troll the web, asserting their power, while Cinnamon, her three Circus Robots, and two dogs work with a community of farmers, Motor Fairies, and Wheel Wizards to offer housing, health care, and education to flood refugees. ” Hairston, who also wrote the books: , , , , has extensive experience in playwriting and theater, in addition to teaching African and African-American literature. All these elements come together and this book is certainly a must-read for spring!

by Vanessa Riley (May 21, 2024)

From the bestselling creator comes a masterfully written historical novel that sets high stakes, breaks convention and is stuffed with drama. When the prince learns that the woman he loves has been deceived into marrying one other man, he vows to assist her sisters marry and do the whole lot in his power to win her back. We discover Tony’s inner workings in this alluring Regency-era book, and this page-turner will keep you on the fringe of your seat.

by Claire Kann (May 21, 2024)

centers on a black heroine and takes place in an old Victorian mansion that seemingly has a mind of its own. In this supernatural romance, Lucy Hart falls in love on the set of a magical drama series. What sets this book aside from others is its eclectic mixture of genres, including romance, horror, suspense, and more. The creator presents a singular and suspenseful romance.

By Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar (June 4)

In , Former friends of Muslim Americans, Said and Tiwa reconnect to stop the destruction of an Islamic center in their hometown. This YA novel is ideal for teens, tweens, and young adults from all walks of life, but will especially be appreciated by those from different cultures. As sweet as this book is, it delicately weaves a narrative around faith and protecting what we imagine in most. This book can be an excellent tool for encouraging teenagers and young adults to fight for what they imagine in, and in this case Tiwa wants to avoid wasting the Islamic Center. This book is a fast and straightforward read.

by Riss M. Neilson (June 11, 2024)

Love Like the Sun beautifully shows that in many cases the richest and deepest love is first born in authentic friendships. Laniah is a homebody who loves her privacy. Isaac is known on the Internet and has a whole lot of influence. When Isaac returns to his hometown and realizes that his childhood best friend, Laniah, and her mom are struggling to maintain her natural hair shop afloat, he proclaims on social media that they’re dating. While this just isn’t true, Isaac knows the power of social media. In turn, not only do Laniah’s business take off, but she soon begins to comprehend that the strong feelings she had for Isaac as a baby are still present inside her. is the perfect read for many who love books whose important theme is friendship with lovers.