Hollywood star Zendaya is facing significant online backlash after appearing at the London press event for Christopher Nolan's upcoming film The Odyssey wearing a pair of gold earrings reportedly crafted from ancient Iranian artefacts dating back to approximately 700BC.
The actress, who plays the goddess Athena in the highly anticipated film, has drawn widespread attention throughout the press tour for her bold fashion choices — styled by her longtime collaborator Law Roach. Her so-called "method dressing," designed to complement the film's ancient Greek themes, has previously earned widespread praise. But her latest jewellery selection has ignited a far more contentious conversation.
The earrings and their controversial origins
The earrings in question are believed to trace back to the Ziwiye hoard, an extraordinary archaeological find unearthed in northwestern Iran in 1947. The hoard comprised gold, silver, bronze and terracotta objects and was initially looted by shepherds who discovered it. According to a 2015 research paper, surviving pieces were sold through antique markets outside Iran during the 1960s and are now dispersed across museums and private collections worldwide.
The specific gold medallion plaques worn by Zendaya were acquired by British jeweller Glenn Spiro before passing into the collection of Mayfair-based dealer Barron London. The dealer's website describes them as "a pair of Ziwiye gold medallion plaques, circa first millennium BC Iran, mounted by Glenn Spiro with diamonds in yellow gold."
Zendaya does not own the earrings. Barron London has stated that the ancient gold discs are held within a simple, non-invasive claw setting that does not alter or damage the original objects in any way.
Experts and critics raise ethical concerns
The reaction online has been swift and divided. Many critics have labelled the decision to wear the earrings "hypocritical," particularly in the context of ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran. "American audacity at its best," one TikToker commented. Others argued the controversy was overstated, noting the artefacts remain preserved.
However, several experts have voiced serious concern. Sussan Babaie, an Iranian-born art history professor, described it as "shocking to see that no one thought maybe this is not a good idea," expressing outrage that the pieces were being used as fashion accessories in the promotion of a major Hollywood production. Some experts went further, characterising the move as a "hijacking" of Iran's contribution to the arts.
Archaeologist Dr Annelise Baer, whose own video commentary on the earrings drew criticism from some who felt she was condoning their use, was careful to draw a distinction. "The earrings themselves are made out of looted antiquities" — that, she said, was the central ethical issue. Zendaya wearing them, she added, was "kind of a secondary fact."
"But because she has worn them on a red carpet for a major international movie premiere, this has suddenly put all of that into the public eye in a way that we haven't really seen before," Dr Baer said.
Context: Iran, looted antiquities, and Hollywood glamour
The controversy touches on a broader and long-running debate about the trade in looted antiquities and the responsibilities of those who wear or display such objects publicly. The Ziwiye hoard pieces, having passed through private hands for decades, are now legitimately held within a private collection — but their origins in an uncontrolled excavation remain deeply problematic to many in the academic and cultural heritage communities.
This story also arrives against a charged geopolitical backdrop. For readers following recent events surrounding Iran, the symbolism of 3,000-year-old Iranian cultural objects being worn as jewellery at a Western film premiere carries particular weight.
Despite the controversy surrounding the earrings, Zendaya's broader appearance at the London photo call — which also featured co-stars Lupita Nyong'o, Anne Hathaway and Samantha Morton — drew considerable positive attention for her overall styling.
