“Humiliation Ritual”: Zendaya And Robert Pattinson’s New Photoshoot Sparks Intense Backlash

The Drama co-stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson have set the internet abuzz with their highly conceptual, gender-bending new photoshoot promoting their latest film.

The two portray a seemingly blissful couple whose lives unravel in the week leading up to their wedding, in a story that reportedly shifts from a traditional romantic comedy into a psychological thriller.

While some praised the creative visuals, others had strong negative reactions, calling the imagery “unsettling,” “eerie,” and “extremely disturbing.”

“Part of the humiliation ritual process in Hollywood if you want to stay relevant,” one social media user wrote.

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson promote their new film The Drama with a gender-bending Interview Magazine photoshoot

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in a gender-bending photoshoot posing together against a dark, neutral background.

Image credits: A24

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson teamed up for a cinematic photoshoot to promote their upcoming film, featured in Interview Magazine’s March 2026 issue, unveiled on February 17.

Titled Robert Pattinson and Zendaya Enter the Unknown, the spread captured the duo in a series of colorful images loosely inspired by the 1962 psychological thriller What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in a provocative gender-bending photoshoot on Interview magazine cover, sparking frenzy.

Image credits: Nadia Lee Cohen/Interview Magazine

The images were captured by celebrity photographer Nadia Lee Cohen on a retro house set.

The shoot was styled by Law Roach for Zendaya and Mel Ottenberg for Pattinson, featuring a mix of luxury fashion and costume pieces.

On the cover, the two wore matching ivory lace-trimmed bodysuits by Chloé, while Pattinson paired his look with brown pants sourced from the costume rental house Palace Costume.

Woman with vintage hairstyle and bold makeup wearing a lace-trimmed dress in a gender-bending photoshoot look.

Image credits: Nadia Lee Cohen/Interview Magazine

Tweet reacting to Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s gender-bending photoshoot, comparing them to Joker and Harley Quinn.

Image credits: U3uuu

The Twilight heartthrob was seen holding onto Zendaya as she posed curled around his back, with both staring directly into the camera.

Both stars wore matching clown-like white face makeup with a pale base, creating an eerie porcelain-doll effect, complete with bright red lipstick, intentionally smeared around Robert’s mouth.

It marks the first time Zendaya and Robert have shared the screen in a film, although they also have two other productions set to be released later this year

Robert Pattinson and Zendaya in a vintage room during a gender-bending photoshoot capturing an extremely disturbing vibe.

Image credits: Nadia Lee Cohen/Interview Magazine

In other photos from the campaign, the two wore coordinated blue floral dresses, with Pattinson’s face scratched out as he crouched on one knee beside Zendaya.

They also opted for twinning black menswear-inspired suits, where the 29-year-old actress lay on the floor between Robert’s legs as he kept his gaze fixed on her face.

Robert Pattinson in a gender-bending photoshoot wearing a blonde wig and red lipstick, creating an extremely disturbing vibe.

Image credits: Nadia Lee Cohen/Interview Magazine

Tweet from Sam replying to FilmUpdates, humorously suggesting calling Robert Pattinson "Bob Pattinson."

Image credits: Bigfatsammy

While the bold aesthetic aimed to draw inspiration from 1960s and ’70s Hollywood as a marketing tool for their upcoming “dark rom-com,” directed by Kristoffer Borgli, it didn’t land the way the team likely intended online.

Many users criticized the visuals, with one writing, “Gross so terrible and ridiculous so not cool at all.”

Zendaya in a gender-bending photoshoot with dramatic makeup, vintage hairstyle, and various expressive poses.

Image credits: Nadia Lee Cohen/Interview Magazine

Another commented, “Another humiliation ritual to show you who has sold their souls.”

“Oh wow Robert they got you to… He is gone, they made him dress like a woman,” added a third.

The March 2026 issue featured gender-bending, retro-inspired imagery, including Robert in a lace cami top, a floral dress, and bold red lips

Split portrait merging feminine and masculine features in a vintage style, highlighting gender-bending photoshoot concept.

Image credits: Nadia Lee Cohen/Interview Magazine

Tweet by Tennis pro trader joking about Spider-Man’s girlfriend meeting Batman, sparking discussion on gender-bending photoshoot frenzy.

Image credits: TennisProTrader

“Why is Robert Pattinson wearing women’s clothes???” questioned one disappointed user, while another wrote, “Hollywood is weird lol.”

“I thought he was done embarrassing himself and was trying to be a real actor now.”

While The Drama marks Zendaya and Robert’s first-ever collaboration on screen, they will also be starring in two other films, The Odyssey and Dune: Part Three, both set to be released later this year.

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in gender-bending photoshoot wearing matching floral dresses in a minimal room setting.

Image credits: Nadia Lee Cohen/Interview Magazine

The Interview Magazine cover story also served as the duo’s first promotion for the film, and Zendaya shared with the outlet, “This is our first interview, which is why it’s going to be all over the place, because it’s our first time trying to talk about making the movie, and the first interview is always so hard because I don’t know.”

The 39-year-old actor and Zendaya joked that the theme of the photoshoot was “I don’t know” in their accompanying cover interview

Robert Pattinson in a gender-bending photoshoot, sitting barefoot on the floor in retro clothing with a contemplative expression.

Image credits: Nadia Lee Cohen/Interview Magazine

Tweet from Mel reacting to Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s gender-bending photoshoot as extremely disturbing.

Image credits: RabbitholeGirl

The actress also revealed that in her initial meetings with Pattinson, she found him “mysterious” due to his “pretty quiet and chill” demeanor.

However, her fiancé, Tom Holland, who worked with Robert in the 2020 film The Devil All the Time, told her, “No, he’s super fun and always laughing and joking.”

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in a gender-bending photoshoot sparking extremely disturbing reactions and intense social media frenzy.

Image credits: zendaya

Zendaya added, “I was like, ‘Really? I haven’t experienced that side of him, I guess.’”

To this, Pattinson jokingly added, “That’s so depressing. I wish I could stay in the mysterious. I’ve learned again and again that if you just don’t speak, people are like, ‘Wow. You’re really intimidating,’ but I just can’t f**king maintain it.”

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in an extremely disturbing gender-bending photoshoot for a magazine cover.

Image credits: AnyOne1725850

He further described Zendaya as “a good example to the youth” and “a really nice” person and co-star.

Talking about their photoshoot, which has largely been labeled “extremely disturbing” online, Pattinson said, “They see this interview in combination with the photo shoot and it’s like, what are they talking about?”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Interview Magazine (@interviewmag)

As for the film, The Drama is scheduled for theatrical release on April 3, 2026, and also stars Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, and Zoë Winters in supporting roles.

“My brain trying to process Pattinson in a full glam wig and red lipstick: Error 404: Sparkly vampire not found. Please reboot,” joked one netizen

Social media post praising Nadia Lee Cohen’s bold and artistic approach in a gender-bending photoshoot with Zendaya and Robert Pattinson.

Image credits: thescreenwire

Screenshot of a tweet discussing Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s gender-bending photoshoot sparking an online frenzy.

Image credits: WandileNdaba_

Tweet from 32 Too reacting to Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s gender-bending photoshoot, calling it edgy with emojis included.

Image credits: ThirtyTwoToo

Tweet by Oyeniran Michael reacting to gender-bending photoshoot of Zendaya and Robert Pattinson sparking frenzy.

Image credits: MikeAgrow

Screenshot of a Twitter reply mentioning Tom Holland, related to Zendaya and Robert Pattinson gender-bending photoshoot frenzy.

Image credits: herbertyang

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson pose in a gender-bending photoshoot sparking online frenzy and discussion.

Image credits: mmwalk

Tweet text discussing Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s gender-bending photoshoot blending old Hollywood and modern styles.

Image credits: ChariRyann

Tweet screenshot showing user @Poove_Unakkaga commenting on a film update about Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s gender-bending photoshoot.

Image credits: Poove_Unakkaga

Tweet showing excitement about Zendaya and Robert Pattinson's chemistry amid gender-bending photoshoot buzz in 2026.

Image credits: joshcryp12

Tweet showing user reacting to Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s gender-bending photoshoot sparking online frenzy.

Image credits: xxxxx253050

Tweet by Joelyn Jane praising Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s gender-bending photoshoot energy and chemistry.

Image credits: Joelyn45205201

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson posing in a gender-bending photoshoot sparking a social media frenzy and strong reactions.

Image credits: ThotGoss

Tweet from user Raven praising a drama, posted February 17, 2026, sparking discussion on Zendaya and Robert Pattinson gender-bending photoshoot.

Image credits: ravenblackk

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson pose in a striking gender-bending photoshoot sparking major social media frenzy.

Image credits: TheLucasToday

Tweet from Mina praising Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s gender-bending photoshoot for unique main character energy.

Image credits: minuvovn

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in a gender-bending photoshoot creating an extremely disturbing visual frenzy.

Image credits: uhohspag00

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!