Zainab Jiwa, a 29-year-old content creator, attended the London premiere of The Odyssey this year in a custom gold gown with a hood, an outfit that reportedly caught the attention of actor Zendaya. A clip capturing the moment, in which Zendaya appeared visibly struck by the look, has since been viewed 19 million times on TikTok.
Jiwa recounted the encounter, describing a brief but memorable exchange with the Hollywood star.
"She just walked past, and she saw me there. Her jaw just dropped, so did mine," Zainab tells me.
"It was just a stare-off for a minute, and she was like, 'Oh my god, amazing, amazing,' and then she just walked off."
"I'm still in shock," she adds. "The thought of her noticing my outfit blew my mind."
Following the viral clip, Jiwa says her phone has not stopped buzzing with notifications.
Was Zendaya at the same event dressed for a different film?
Notably, Zendaya's London appearance was actually tied to the premiere of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, where she wore a long black leather trench coat styled over a tuxedo-inspired outfit, according to a fashion outlet's video coverage. Zendaya has been a fixture of the 2026 press-tour fashion cycle more broadly, with a July 2026 style feature from a major outlet spotlighting her "Grecian goddess" gown worn during promotion for The Odyssey, according to a national broadcaster's style report.
Zendaya's red-carpet choices have drawn significant attention throughout 2026 beyond this single moment. One of her looks at CinemaCon in April sparked a mixed reaction online after going viral, according to a report on the divisive appearance. In a separate interview published in July 2026, Zendaya admitted to occasionally feeling nervous about her red-carpet fashion choices, telling an interviewer, "Sometimes, for sure."
Zendaya's approach to red-carpet dressing has increasingly leaned into "method dressing," a trend in which stars coordinate their outfits with themes from the films they are promoting. Jiwa's own style suggests independent creators are now applying similar strategies with comparable success, carving out visibility alongside major celebrities on the same carpets.
How does Jiwa balance modest dress with red-carpet fashion?
Jiwa, who is Muslim and wears a hijab, is frequently one of the only attendees at these events covering her hair, but she says working within that framework has become a creative challenge she enjoys rather than a limitation.
"Even though you're covered, you can still find a way to be on theme."
When she arrived for an interview at Broadcasting House this week, her outfit — an olive shirt, tie and brooches — reflected the same attention to detail. "I put in effort today," she says. Her enthusiasm for fashion, she explains, goes back further than she can remember. "From the womb," she says, describing when her passion began.
How did Jiwa's career in entertainment begin?
Film was initially a side interest for Jiwa rather than a career path. She began posting videos online for enjoyment, discussing favourite films and outfits she designed around them, and the content eventually attracted attention from major studios.
Disney was the first to take notice, offering her a junket interview opportunity for the series Moon Knight, where she interviewed cast members on the red carpet. She admits the early experience was rough. "I thought it was a scam," she says. "I can't watch that back. I was NOT good."
She now works full-time as a creator and presenter, having interviewed high-profile figures including Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal and Tom Hiddleston, typically while wearing outfits inspired by the films being promoted. She is part of a wider community of digital creators covering red carpets, alongside figures such as Amelia Dimoldenberg of Chicken Shop Date, Reece Feldman and social media personality Jake Shane.
What challenges come with last-minute red-carpet invitations?
Jiwa says invitations to premieres sometimes arrive only the night before an event, forcing a scramble to finalise her outfit before travelling — often by public transport. "And I look ridiculous," she adds. She works with a variety of designers and brands but also manages costs by reusing pieces where possible.
Her outfits are deliberately eye-catching, she says, partly because they help her start conversations with the stars she interviews. For the season two premiere of House of the Dragon, she wore a red gown designed by a student, featuring three faces depicted wearing hijabs.
"I'm a bit extra, but I like to add culture in everything I do," she says.
For the premiere of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, she incorporated spiderweb henna into her look, while for Gladiator II she wore gold armour.
Has dressing modestly affected her career prospects?
Jiwa acknowledges she has had concerns that covering her hair and body could limit her opportunities in the entertainment industry, but says she has come to see it as a source of creative satisfaction instead.
"I have a fun time working around the fact that I cover my hair or I cover my arms," she says. "I'd call it halalify the look. I'd always say, 'but how do I halalify this?'"
"I enjoy that bit the most because it shows there's no restriction really here."
What is life like away from the red carpet?
Despite her high-profile encounters with major stars, Jiwa's home life in Harrow, north-west London, is far removed from Hollywood glamour. "Oh my god, my house is chaos," she laughs, noting that storage space is limited and outfits often end up "shoved somewhere."
She shares her home with a cat and siblings who frequently visit, and her parents are often called upon to help resolve last-minute wardrobe issues. While her career path was not what her parents originally envisioned for her, Jiwa says they have become fully supportive of her work.
How does she respond to criticism of her outfits?
With 660,000 followers on TikTok and close to 400,000 on Instagram, Jiwa has established herself as a notable figure in entertainment content creation, though she says she does face criticism, including from people who argue her outfits are not modest enough.
"There's always hate in this industry," she says.
"For every negative comment, there's so many positive ones."
"If I'm doing it to inspire other people, or entertain other people, or educate other people, if that's still happening, then I really don't care about the rest."
What is next for Jiwa and the film industry she covers?
Jiwa says she is currently enjoying a particularly strong run of major film releases. "The summer's felt good for film — I think it's exciting," she says, adding that further high-profile titles are on the way. "And there's loads more coming. We've got Dune. We've got Doomsday," she says.
She describes her outlook on the industry, and her place within it, in simple terms. "I love film and TV. I think it's a really fun way to build community," she says. "I'm just a fan. At the end of the day, I'm just a fan."
Key Facts
- Zainab Jiwa, 29, is a content creator known for red-carpet interviews and themed outfits.
- A TikTok clip of Zendaya reacting to her gold hooded gown at The Odyssey's London premiere has reached 19 million views.
- Zendaya's London appearance was linked to the Spider-Man: Brand New Day premiere, where she wore a black leather trench coat over a tuxedo-style look, according to a fashion outlet.
- Jiwa has interviewed stars including Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal and Tom Hiddleston.
- She has 660,000 TikTok followers and nearly 400,000 Instagram followers.
