Zendaya has provoked criticism from historians and archaeologists after wearing a pair of gold earrings, said to be around 3,000 years old, to promote her forthcoming film The Odyssey. Critics argue that using genuine ancient artefacts as celebrity fashion accessories trivialises cultural heritage and risks damaging irreplaceable objects, with some accusing the promotional stunt of "hijacking" treasures that belong in museums or their countries of origin rather than on a red carpet.

The row centres on the jewellery's age and provenance, with commentators questioning how such delicate, historically significant pieces came to be worn for a publicity campaign rather than preserved or displayed in controlled museum settings. The backlash reflects wider ongoing debates about the use, ownership and handling of ancient artefacts, particularly when they are deployed for modern commercial or promotional purposes tied to major studio releases such as The Odyssey.