Zendaya and Tom Holland have addressed their height difference and it’s honestly one of the stupidest things ever and grounded in toxic masculinity. Now, there have been talks about their height difference since the moment they entered the Spider-verse. Zendaya is 5ft 10in and Holland is 5ft 8in. That’s a 2-inch height difference. That’s it.
But knowing the internet…they haven’t let it go. And it got to the point where Zendaya and Holland themselves had to address this continued questioning. For Zendaya, this is normal. “My mum is taller than my dad. I honestly never thought of it as a thing because my parents were always that way, so I didn’t know that people cared. I had no construct of it.”
Holland didn’t mince words and said that the assumption that their height difference would affect their relationship was “stupid.” He also added during the interview that, “She’s not that much taller than me, let’s just put this out there.” And he’s right. Both of them are. Their relationship is normal, just like everyone else’s and it’s ridiculous to assume otherwise.
That’s where toxic masculinity comes in.
If you have a problem with their height difference, if you question why a tall woman would be with a “short” man, then you need to check yourself. Because Holland isn’t short. And the mere thought that they should let their minimal height difference stop them from entering into what we assume is a loving relationship, speaks of deeper issues within those who think it’s an issue.
Because caring about if a man is taller than a woman speaks of dominance issues where the former is insecure with themselves and believes that they must be the lead in this relationship. They must be the protectors. They must be the providers. They must be larger than their dainty women who can’t take care of themselves or survive this world without men.
And this isn’t just a problem with men. It’s something that women think too. Speaking from personal experience, this writer has a family full of women who think it looks wrong, is wrong, for a woman to be stronger, more dominant, or even taller than her man. And it speaks of antiquated beliefs that we should crush in 2021 and hope it never comes back.
Because the truth is, men don’t have to be a specific height to be loved, cared for, or to be in a relationship in the first place. Instead, what matters is how they treat their partner. Are they loving? Are they kind? Are they considerate? Those should be the questions that are asked instead of ones about how they make their relationship work with a 2-inch height difference.
We should also ask: Is this man happy? Do they love their partner? Was this their choice? And is this a healthy option for them? If they are happy, if they are in love, if this is their choice, and if it’s a healthy relationship…who cares what height they are. That’s not what matters. Love, happiness, kindness, hope. All those things matter instead.
And we’re proud of Zendaya and Tom Holland for calling out this ridiculous conscious or sub-conscious standard that many have that limit who they love, who they see themselves with, or what they deem acceptable for others. It’s 2021, people. Get with the program that we’re over vapid standards of what women and men can or can’t do when it comes to their lives.
