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Updated Jul 7, 2026 · 17:07
Hollywood News Updated Jul 7, 2026

Zendaya Recalls 'Embarrassing' Freezing Moment on First Day of 'The Odyssey'

Zendaya revealed she "froze" on the first day of filming 'The Odyssey' in Iceland, unable to deliver her lines due to cold weather and nerves. She admitted to putting immense pressure on herself before stepping onto director Christopher Nolan's set. Nolan later praised her performance as "always perfect," sparking playful complaints from co-stars Tom Holland and Matt Damon. The star-studded film, also featuring Anne Hathaway and Robert Pattinson, is set for release on July 17.

"My mouth would not move": Zendaya recalls 'freezing' on first day of 'The Odyssey' shoot

Washington DC, July 7

Actor Zendaya has recalled an "embarrassing" moment from her first day filming 'The Odyssey', revealing that freezing temperatures in Iceland left her unable to deliver her lines while portraying the Greek goddess Athena, according to People.

Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, Zendaya admitted that she had also put immense pressure on herself before stepping onto the set of director Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic.

"Here's the thing. I had my lines and I wanted to have them so down," she said. "I think I kind of psyched myself out a little bit."

The actor said the nerves, coupled with Iceland's harsh weather, made the first day particularly challenging.

"It was particularly cold. It was in Iceland," she added. "My mouth was just frozen. There is nothing coming out. My mouth would not move. Literally. It came out like, 'Blah blah blah.' So embarrassing."

Despite the awkward start, Zendaya described working alongside the film's star-studded ensemble as a rewarding experience. The cast includes Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o and her husband, Tom Holland.

"It's such a pleasure and a gift to be able to share scenes with people you admire," Zendaya said. "Part of you has to compartmentalize to a degree. Lock in, we're working. But I was so moved and so just excited to be there and wanted to do my best work," according to People.

Her performance also earned high praise from Nolan, who described her work as flawless during a recent interview with Fandango.

"She was always perfect. Always perfect," the Oscar-winning filmmaker said, according to People.

Nolan's glowing endorsement became a talking point among the cast, with Holland joking, "Still waiting for mine."

Damon also chimed in, saying Nolan's praise for Zendaya "was a topic of discussion," according to People.

Responding to the playful complaints, Nolan quipped, "I felt guilty when I first heard they were complaining about it, but then I realized that's kind of on them and not me."

Holland also admitted that his own first day on the film was intimidating because of the project's scale.

"I think my first day, for me, was probably one of the most daunting experiences of my career, just being a part of a movie of this scale," he said, according to People.

Directed by Christopher Nolan, The Odyssey is slated to release in theatres on July 17.

— ANI

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