Entertainment
Zendaya Is On Running’s Newest Brand Ambassador: ‘It’s A Full Circle Moment’
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission.
Game, set, match: On Running has scored Zendaya as its newest brand ambassador. The buzzy Swiss shoe brand is the first company that the actor has partnered with since her starring role in “Challengers.”
The partnership makes perfect sense given her role as pro tennis player in the MGM film, on which she also serves as executive producer.
“It’s no secret that I’ve been a big fan of On for a long time,” Zendaya said in a statement. “I’m always wearing them on set, or when I’m traveling, rehearsing or running around with my dog. So it’s a full-circle moment to make this partnership official.”
To announce the ambassadorship on Thursday morning, the brand released a slate of campaign photos and videos starring Zendaya and directed by C Prinz. Titled Dream Together, the creative campaign is intended to “open a conversation about how movement brings people together,” according to the press release. In the photos, she’s seen wearing the brand’s newest Cloudrunner 2 sneaker, currently 30% off on their website.
The campaign video begins with the “Euphoria” star sitting on the bleachers of a track before the lights turn on and the camera pans to a group of people, all donning On sportswear. While they move in unison, Zendaya chants motivating phrases to them: “move, learn, dream, win, lose, fail. Dream, together.”
“I owe so much to the people around me for getting me to where I am and this film recognizes and appreciates those who support and uplift us every day,” Zendaya said. “This feeling of collaboration and inclusiveness shines through in what we’ve created.”
“We’ve been massive admirers of Zendaya’s ability to inspire a generation and dream big,” David Allemann, On’s cofounder, continued in a statement. “We can’t think of a better partner to help us grow, evolve and connect with people around the world than Zendaya. This film is the beginning of more stories to come and we are eager to bring in new and distinctive voices alongside Zendaya to continue our mission to dream together.”
Zenday’s most recent film “Challengers” follows the rivalry between tennis pros Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) and Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor), who are vicious competitors on and off the court as they pine for the love tennis prodigy turned coach Tashi (Zendaya). The film is now available to stream on MGM+, in addition to rent/purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV+.