Zendaya Faces Backlash for Wearing 3000-Year-Old Iranian Earrings to "The Odyssey" Event

Zendaya’s fashion choices rarely go unnoticed, but one accessory from The Odyssey press tour has sparked a conversation that goes beyond style.

While promoting Christopher Nolan’s epic in London, the American actress wore a pair of earrings incorporating approximately 3,000-year-old Iranian gold medallions. The historic pieces immediately drew attention online, with historians, cultural commentators, and fans debating whether ancient artifacts belong on the red carpet at all.

Ahead of The Odyssey’s London premiere, Zendaya arrived at a photocall wearing a custom white Jacquemus halter dress styled by longtime collaborator Law Roach. The minimalist look was punctuated by statement earrings featuring ancient Iranian gold medallions dating back to the first millennium BCE.

The discs are believed to originate from the Ziwiye Hoard, also known as the Ziwiye Treasure—a collection of artifacts associated with the ancient Median civilization that surfaced in northwestern Iran in the late 1940s. The medallions were later remounted by London jeweler Glenn Spiro in 18-karat yellow gold with diamond settings as part of his Materials of the Old World collection before being acquired by Barron London.

According to Barron London, the historic gold discs are secured in a “simple non-invasive” claw setting designed to avoid altering or damaging the original artifacts. The jeweler also said in a statement to CNN that it welcomes discussions surrounding “provenance, preservation and the appreciation of exceptional craftsmanship.”

The earrings complemented a look inspired by the film's mythological themes. Zendaya portrays Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war, in Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey.

Although the styling itself drew praise, the age and origin of the earrings quickly became the focal point of online discussion.

Some critics questioned whether archaeological artifacts should be worn as fashion pieces, particularly those from the Ziwiye Hoard in northwestern Iran. Associate Professor Peter Edwell, an archaeologist at Macquarie University, said artifacts with an “undisclosed origin” often raise concerns about illegal excavation and trafficking. He also described the Ziwiye Hoard as having been “plundered” rather than scientifically excavated before being dispersed into public and private collections. 

The conversation also extended to current geopolitics. Some social media users argued that an American celebrity wearing ancient Iranian artifacts during heightened tensions involving Iran created uncomfortable optics, while others said cultural heritage should be appreciated independently of contemporary conflicts.

Not everyone viewed the earrings negatively. Some social media users argued that incorporating the artifacts into a high-profile appearance brought attention to their historical significance and craftsmanship. Others pointed to Barron London's statement that the earrings were mounted using a “simple non-invasive” setting that does not alter or damage the original objects, and that the jeweler hopes the pieces can serve as “a reminder of the country's enduring artistic, cultural and historical legacy.”

Zendaya herself has not publicly addressed the criticism, and neither she nor Law Roach has commented on the discussion surrounding the earrings.