Oscar-winning Halle Berry has renewed her hopes of working with Zendaya after the Euphoria star paid tribute to one of Berry's most recognisable red carpet looks at the 2026 Emmy Awards.
Speaking at Create & Cultivate's On Her Own Terms event in Los Angeles on Sunday, 20 September 2026, Berry said she and Zendaya are in touch and that she would 'love to find something to do with her someday'. Days earlier, Berry had also shared a clip in which she said she wanted to play Zendaya's mother after Zendaya's silver Prada gown and cropped pixie at the Emmys drew directly from Berry's early 2000s style.
Berry's reaction turned the fashion reference into another chapter in a years-long exchange of admiration between the two actors. Zendaya's stylist, Law Roach, confirmed Berry was the inspiration behind the look, while Berry publicly celebrated the homage across social media.
Halle Berry Wants a Mother-Daughter Role With Zendaya
Berry, who became the first Black woman to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for Monster's Ball, has been open about wanting to share the screen with Zendaya. During a February appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, she named the Euphoria and Dune star when asked which actor she most wanted to work with.
'There's an actress that I love with every fibre of my being. I love her, and I would love to play her mother. Zendaya,' Berry said. She then added, 'I could play her mom, right? I could play her mom 100%.'
Watch here: Halle Berry says she would love to play Zendaya's mother on The Drew Barrymore Show.
After Zendaya's Emmys tribute, Berry resurfaced that clip on her Instagram Stories, connecting her long-standing casting wish with the fashion moment. At Sunday's Los Angeles event, the 60-year-old actress again made clear that the interest in collaborating remains, calling Zendaya 'my little sweetheart' and saying she hopes they eventually find a project together.
Zendaya's Emmys Look Paid Homage to Berry
Zendaya, 30, arrived at the 78th Emmy Awards on 14 September 2026 in a custom silver sequinned Prada gown with sheer detailing and a long, sweeping train. She paired the dress with Mikimoto jewellery, a Rolex watch and a newly cropped pixie that echoed Berry's signature hairstyle from the early 2000s.
Roach made the reference explicit by sharing an image of Berry and calling her 'The original'. Comparisons centred on Berry's appearance at the 2002 Los Angeles premiere of the James Bond film Die Another Day, where she wore a shimmering Collette Dinnigan minidress with her famous short haircut.
Zendaya cut her hair short for the Emmys. The room said Halle Berry before she even sat down.
— Modern History (@modernhistory) September 16, 2026
Law Roach posted the original. Halle Berry answered: "She murdered the night."
Same sparkle.
Twenty-four years later. pic.twitter.com/rsTLg4LZ1F
Berry responded by reposting images comparing the two looks and praising Zendaya's appearance. In one Instagram Story, she wrote, 'She murdered the night,' while a separate post shared on X simply called Zendaya 'my girl'.
Their Mutual Support Goes Back Years
The Emmys moment was not the first time Berry had singled Zendaya out. In early 2021, Berry described the younger actress as evidence of progress for Black women in Hollywood. Later that year, she praised Zendaya's talent, authenticity and willingness to take risks.
Zendaya has returned that admiration, previously saying Berry had always been supportive whenever they crossed paths and had taken time to offer encouragement. Their public exchanges now span career praise, red carpet inspiration and Berry's repeated hope that they can eventually work together onscreen.
For now, no film or television project starring both women has been announced. Berry's latest remarks nevertheless show that the idea remains on her mind, with a mother-daughter pairing still the most specific role she has publicly proposed.
