Zendaya is facing a lot of criticism for the earrings she wore while promoting Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” in a photo shoot in London. The actress paired a white dress with earrings made from Iranian gold medallions dating back to the 1st millennium BC, making them about 3,000 years old, sparking a recent debate over culture and archeology.
Divided social media did
The internet seems to be very divided on Zendaya and her stylist’s decision to include earrings in the star’s media coverage of the film. Critics complained about the propriety of wearing antiques as jewelry. “These 3,000-year-old Iranian earrings should be returned to Iran, or put in a museum,” one netizen wrote. “No one has the right to use such antiquities, because they are very valuable and represent an important part of human culture,” said another.
Many netizens have criticized Iran’s 3,000-year-old gold medallions in museums, saying the artifacts should be protected and not worn as jewelry. Photo credit (Instagram)
However, some people who saw things changed their minds about the decision. A user commented, “Maybe they wore them TO CONVERSATION AND CONVERSATION. It’s a proper conversation” indicating that some saw the decision as a deliberate statement that was supposed to start a conversation about culture and conservation.
Some social media users agreed with Zendaya’s look, suggesting that the vintage jewelry encourages serious discussion about culture, culture and preservation. Photo credit (Instagram)
Opponents of the decision cite the simple way of hanging the objects and that the wearable display draws attention to the art of the past, rather than relegating it to a museum.
The history and rise of Zendaya’s controversial earrings
According to CNN, the medallions were part of the Ziwiye hoard, which is described as Median-era art from the 7th century BCE. The artifact was found in northwestern Iran in the late 1940s. The artifact was set by London jewelers with diamonds in 18K yellow gold and is believed to have been part of a collection that turned artifacts into jewelry.
The rings contain gold medallions from the Ziwiye hoard dating back to the 1000s BC, sparking discussions about cultural heritage, preservation and ownership. Photo credit (Instagram)
The jeweler who found the devices told the outlet that the discs were stored in a simple “clamp” designed to “not alter or damage the original material in any way.” The brand also seemed to speak to the ongoing tension in the region. “At a time when Iran is often viewed with contemporary events, we believe that these earrings can serve as a reminder of the country’s past,” he said.A London stonemason once told Galeria magazine in 2025 interview about the philosophy of turning old things into wearable pieces. “You can wear something around your neck that dates back thousands of years but is still modern and cool,” said the designer.The precious jewelry also answered the question of preservation, saying: “Cultural heritage encourages important discussions, and we welcome an informed discussion about the origin, preservation and appreciation of special skills.”
The actress starred as Athena in Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’, which is currently playing in theatres. Photo credit (Instagram)
Zendaya’s role in “The Odyssey”Zendaya plays Athena, daughter of Zeus and goddess of wisdom and war, in the highly anticipated adaptation of Homer’s epic. In a May interview with Elle, the Emmy winner revealed how she played. “I don’t know what it is, I just feel like I’ve been there before,” he said, explaining the connection to the character.‘The Odyssey’, which is in theaters, also has Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o and Cate Blanchett in the main roles. The film presents Nolan’s adaptation of the classic Greek myth.