Zendaya’s latest The Odyssey press tour look has sparked a debate that goes far beyond fashion.
During a London photocall for Christopher Nolan’s movie on July 5, the actress wore a flowing white Jacquemus dress paired with striking gold earrings unlike anything seen on a modern red carpet.
It was later revealed that the earrings featured Iranian gold medallions dating back nearly 3,000 years, and the discovery quickly divided the internet.
While some netizens called the look breathtaking, others questioned whether ancient artifacts should ever be worn as jewelry.
“Imagine wearing earrings that have survived 3,000 years. That’s insane,” wrote one user.
Zendaya’s The Odyssey red carpet earrings were made using ancient Iranian gold medallions
The earrings were created by London jeweler Glenn Spiro using gold discs from the famous Ziwiye hoard, a collection of artifacts from the Median period dating back to the 7th century BC, per CNN.
The treasure was discovered in northwestern Iran in the late 1940s and is considered an important part of the country’s cultural history.
For the earrings, the ancient medallions were placed in an 18K yellow gold setting surrounded by diamonds, including a 62-carat Colombian emerald and gold from the West African Baoulé tribe, per Only Natural Diamonds.
They later became part of Spiro’s Materials of the Old World collection, which transforms rare historical objects into modern jewelry.
Speaking about his designs in a previous interview, Spiro told Galeria magazine in 2025, “You can wear something around your neck that dates back thousands of years but is still contemporary and cool.”
Barron London, the jewelry company that later acquired the pieces, stressed that the medallions were held in a “simple noninvasive” claw setting so the original artifacts were not altered or damaged.
The company also said it hoped the earrings would remind people of Iran’s rich artistic and cultural history, especially at a time when the country is often discussed only in relation to current events.
As photos from the London event spread online, many people questioned whether historical objects should be turned into luxury accessories
Some detractors argued that artifacts thousands of years old belong in museums rather than celebrity wardrobes.
One person wrote, “These 3,000-year-old Iranian earrings should be returned to Iran, or at the very least be preserved in a museum.”
Another criticized the entire styling decision, adding, “Mind you there are actual ethical heritage institutions from these respective nations that would’ve gladly loaned them some artifact to showcase in the press tour… this team is way too big and established to be this culturally incompetent.”
Others connected the debate to broader conversations about cultural heritage and ownership.
One commenter wrote, “Wearing looted ancient artifacts from the very country that your country is bombing is disgusting.”
However, not everyone focused solely on the earrings.
Zendaya’s white dress also received mixed reviews.
@odysseymovieZendaya in London. Experience The Odyssey in cinemas July 17.♬ original sound – The Odyssey Movie
“She’s gorgeous, but that dress is atrocious,” one person wrote, while another joked. “They look like tinfoil.”
Some also criticised what they saw as excessive luxury surrounding the press tour.
“So they flew a dress on a plane for her and gave her ancient artifacts to wear. Ok. Sounds like someone’s getting a little bougie,” wrote one.
While critics questioned the decision, many others thought the earrings were a brilliant way to connect history with fashion
Supporters praised Zendaya and stylist Law Roach for creating a look that matched the themes of The Odyssey, which is based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic.
One fan wrote, “3k-year-old drip and still slaying. Mad respect,” while another added, “It’s amazing that something crafted millennia ago can still look timeless today.”
Others believed wearing the artifacts helped introduce more people to ancient history, with one saying, “She should be the face of history.”
Law Roach purchased, maybe rented, Zendayas earrings from a white jeweler based in london who loots countries in africa and the middle east of ancient artifacts to sell for upwards of half a million dollars!! typical of the british but extremely low for two black ppl to support pic.twitter.com/K4UyQ79DcB
— isabel fka persephone (@themeulemeester) July 14, 2026
Another added, “Zendaya really knows how to make a fashion statement. Wearing pieces with thousands of years of history adds a whole new level of elegance — this isn’t just a look, it’s a connection between ancient art and modern culture.”
One netizen felt the styling perfectly matched the movie. “That’s such a bold move wearing literal ancient artifacts on a red carpet. Really ties her role to something timeless.”
Law Roach has turned Zendaya’s The Odyssey press tour into a fashion story of its own
The controversial earrings are only one part of a carefully planned press tour.
Working with longtime stylist Law Roach, Zendaya has embraced goddess-inspired fashion while promoting Nolan’s film.
For the New York premiere, she wore a dramatic white Matières Fécales gown completed with oversized angel wings, a feather-inspired train, and Chopard diamond earrings.
Earlier that day, she stepped out in an antique gold pleated Grecian gown by Pamela Rolland before changing into another white look inspired by classical mythology.
zendaya in alberta ferretti ss08 and sophia webster metallic leather clementine lace-up knee high gladiator sandals at “The Odyssey” press tour in new york pic.twitter.com/40Pcm5nL9k
— lunika (@fashionitgirl) July 13, 2026
the fact there’s only less than 2 weeks apart of these looks, she’s truly one generational run with fashion, nobody does method dressing like THE Zendaya pic.twitter.com/DqoUyOx97Y
— Zendaya Fan Account🇵🇸 (@zendayacomz) July 14, 2026
zendaya at the premiere of the odyssey pic.twitter.com/WljjW5GluP
— ˖᯽ ݁˖ pop backup ˖᯽ ݁˖ (@popbackupp) July 14, 2026
She also debuted a curly bob hairstyle while wearing a vintage Alberta Ferretti dress paired with gladiator-inspired heels, continuing the ancient Greek theme throughout the tour.
For the Paris premiere, she changed direction once again in a custom Louis Vuitton lace gown and matching bolero that reportedly took 800 hours to create.
Long before The Odyssey, Zendaya and Roach had already built a reputation for turning movie promotions into carefully planned fashion stories.
While promoting Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Zendaya wore vintage outfits inspired by the superhero, including a 1997 Versace look and a John Galliano gown with chain details resembling Spider-Man’s web.
“3000 years old and still serving looks,” wrote one user
Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards’ daughter, Sami Sheen, has pushed back against the idea that she’s living an easy life because of her famous parents.
The 22-year-old recently addressed the “nepo baby” label in a candid TikTok video, saying people have the wrong impression about her finances.
Sami insisted she has been paying her own bills since she turned 18 and claimed her father has not financially supported her in years.
Her comments have reignited public interest in her relationship with Charlie Sheen, her successful OnlyFans career, and the very different paths she and her younger sister have taken.
Charlie Sheen and Deni Richards’ daughter claimed she’s been supporting herself since she turned 18
Sami responded after seeing comments from people who assumed her father was funding her lifestyle.
She made it clear that wasn’t the case.
“Look, if I had Daddy’s money, I would own it, okay? I would let you guys know.”
She then claimed that Charlie Sheen has not financially helped her in more than four years.
“These comments make me so frustrated because this man has not given me a dime in over four years. I have been fully financially supporting myself since I was 18 years old.”
Sami said she understands why people assume she receives financial help because she comes from one of Hollywood’s best-known families. However, she insisted that her income comes from her own work rather than her father’s success.
Sami further alleged that her father brought a car for her sister but refused when she requested a horse
Sami also shared a recent conversation with her father that she said left her feeling hurt.
According to her, Charlie bought her younger sister Lola a brand-new car with cash.
After learning about the gift, Sami said she asked if he would buy her a horse that cost roughly the same amount.
Instead, she claimed the conversation ended their communication.
“I found out that he bought my sister a car in cash, okay? A lot of f***ing money.”
She continued, “So I asked him if he could buy me a horse for the same price, and that was the last time we spoke.”
Sami said the situation showed exactly where she stood with her father.
“So if that doesn’t put it in perspective that my father doesn’t f***ing help me with anything, I don’t know what does.”
She also dismissed claims that Charlie helped pay for her current lifestyle.
Pointing toward herself, she joked, “So yeah, my dad did not get me the beach house.”
Then she added with a laugh, “These t*ties did.”
Sami’s OnlyFans career has been her main source of income
Sami launched her OnlyFans account shortly after turning 18 in 2022.
The decision immediately attracted headlines because of her famous parents, but the page has since become her primary source of income.
Although Sami has referred to herself as a “s*x worker,” she has previously explained that people misunderstand what she means.
She said she does not film explicit scenes or meet subscribers.
“I am not a p*rn star, and I don’t meet up with people. I don’t film myself having s*x.”
She explained that she uses the term because OnlyFans is how she earns her living.
@samisheen Replying to @user3404962211197 ♬ original sound – sami sheen
Industry sources have also claimed that Sami’s content is far less explicit than many people assume, describing it as teasing rather than full n*dity.
A source shared with People that Sami earns tens of thousands of dollars every month while “barely showing anything.”
The insider also suggested that some of Sami’s public comments may be intended to generate attention and keep people talking about her page.
“She’s not really doing any n*dity at all. So this is just her titillating people by saying that,” the source added.
Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards responded very differently to Sami’s decision to join OnlyFans
When Sami first announced she was joining OnlyFans, her parents reacted in completely different ways.
Charlie Sheen publicly admitted he was unhappy about it.
“I do not condone this,” he told E! News.
He added that although he could not stop his daughter from making her own decisions, he encouraged her to remain “classy, creative and not sacrifice her integrity.”
Sheen also pointed out that Sami was living with Denise Richards when she created the account.
Richards, however, defended her daughter from the beginning.
She said Sami was legally an adult and had every right to make her own choices.
“All I can do as a parent is guide her and trust her judgment,” she told People.
Denise Richards later joined OnlyFans herself to support her daughter Sami
The debate around Sami’s OnlyFans account only grew louder after Denise Richards made a surprising decision of her own.
Just weeks after defending her daughter, the actress launched an OnlyFans page herself.
A source close to the family said Denise wanted to support Sami rather than criticise her.
The insider claimed Richards saw OnlyFans as a modern version of the modelling work she had done earlier in her career, including posing for Play*oy.
The source also said Richards’s page wasn’t particularly explicit and suggested that joining the platform helped shift some of the attention away from Sami.
At one point, Richards and Sami even promoted photos featuring the two of them together, which sparked backlash online.
Some critics accused Richards of crossing a line by mixing her own account with her daughter’s public image.
Richards later denied they had ever created adult content together.
“Did I collaborate with my daughter for, like, a s*xual OnlyFans shoot? Abso-f***ing-lutely not,” she said during an interview on The Viall Files.
She also revealed she had never even visited Sami’s page.
“I haven’t even been on my daughter’s site.”
Instead, Richards said she simply wanted to protect her daughter from the harsh judgment she knew came with working in the entertainment industry.
“I was protecting her as a young woman coming into this industry and being judged.”
She added that because of her own experiences with P*ayboy and Wild Things, she understood better than most how quickly public opinion can turn against women.
Sami and Lola recently patched things up after a public family feud
While Sami has often found herself making headlines, one of the biggest family stories this year involved her younger sister, Lola.
In January, Sami accused Lola on TikTok of secretly seeing her ex-boyfriend behind her back.
“Imagine finding out your sister and ex-boyfriend have been seeing each other behind your back this whole time.”
Lola quickly denied the accusation.
“This is not true at all.”
She explained that Sami’s former boyfriend had simply been hired by Richards to help around the house and care for the family’s dogs.
Because Lola had temporarily moved back home, they ended up living under the same roof.
“I am single, I am not talking to anyone, and I’m definitely not dating her ex-boyfriend,” Lola said on her own TikTok.
@samisheen we could make 500 of these @lola 💛🌻 ♬ original sound – sami sheen
Months later, Richards shared a much happier update.
She revealed that the sisters had recently reunited and even had a sleepover together.
“They called me on FaceTime, and I was so happy,” she told People.
She added that seeing her daughters laughing together again meant a lot to her.
“It was so fun as a mom to see my daughters hang out and have a sleepover.”
The sisters were also later seen together at the premiere of Billie Eilish’s concert movie.
Although Sami and Lola grew up in the same family, they have taken very different paths
Sami has built her career on social media and OnlyFans, openly embracing the spotlight and discussing cosmetic surgery, modelling, and adult content.
Lola, meanwhile, has stayed away from that world.
She has described herself as a devoted Christian, regularly shares Bible verses online, and has said she wants to focus on positive messages rather than drama.
Unlike her older sister, Lola has also worked regular hospitality jobs and has largely avoided reality television and celebrity culture.
Their different lifestyles have often fueled comparisons online, especially because they are so close in age.
Even so, Richards has repeatedly expressed hope that both daughters will continue supporting each other despite their different choices.
“Maybe she should get a job,” wrote one user
