Marcello Hernández Flirts With ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Star Zendaya at the Emmys While Tom Holland Sits Right Beside Her

Awards shows have a funny way of turning even the most polished, scripted moments into something unpredictable the second a comedian gets handed a microphone. Presenters are supposed to introduce a category and step aside, but every so often someone decides the room deserves a little more entertainment first.

That’s exactly the energy ‘Saturday Night Live’ star Marcello Hernández brought to Monday night’s Emmy Awards. Making his first-ever appearance at the ceremony, Hernández took the stage to present the award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, but not before working the crowd with a string of shoutouts to some of the biggest names in the room.

He started by greeting Harrison Ford, who was nominated for best supporting actor in a comedy series for ‘Shrinking,’ before turning his attention toward Zendaya, who was seated with her husband and ‘Spider-Man’ co-star, Tom Holland. What followed became one of the most talked-about unscripted moments of the entire night.

“I want to say hi to Zendaya! You’re a beast and you’re amazing, and I saw you and I wanted to play it cool, and I’ve decided I can’t do that,” Hernández said, before delivering the line that had the whole room laughing. “So, I would like to invite you and Spider-Man to have dinner at my house.”

Both Zendaya and Holland burst out laughing at the invitation, with cameras catching their reaction in real time as it played out across the Peacock Theater. Hernández wasn’t finished, either, moving on to greet Oscar Isaac, nominated for best actor in a limited series for ‘Beef,’ joking that since Isaac’s real surname is also Hernández, “we could be cousins” before promising to see him at Christmas and cook whatever he wanted.

Marcello Hernández invites Zendaya and Tom Holland to dinner at his house while presenting at the #Emmys:

"I saw you and I wanted to play it cool, and I've decided I can't do that. So, I would like to invite you and Spider-Man to have dinner at my house."

(via NBC/EMMYS) pic.twitter.com/97ipJ8EQqu

— Variety (@Variety) September 15, 2026

The dinner invitation landed during what was already a significant night for Zendaya, who arrived at the ceremony serving double duty as both nominee and presenter. She had taken the stage earlier in the evening to present the award for Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, which ultimately went to Jean Smart for her historic fifth ‘Hacks’ win.

Zendaya herself was up for Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work on ‘Euphoria,’ marking her sixth and final nomination for the role of Rue after previously winning the category in both 2020 and 2022. While she didn’t add a third trophy to her collection this time around, the night still gave fans a rare look at her and Holland enjoying an evening out together in a more relaxed, unguarded setting.

Zendaya debuted a fresh pixie haircut for the occasion, styled in Prada and paired with Mikimoto jewels, before reuniting with Holland inside the venue for what played out as a genuine date night mixed with business. Holland, for his part, was making his own first-ever appearance at the Emmys, joining his wife as a guest for the evening.

Hernández’s bit capped off with one final greeting to Matthew McConaughey, referencing advice from his “Cuban tía metiche” about one day getting to hang out with the actor if he worked hard enough. The entire sequence fit neatly into a broader pattern of loose, unscripted celebrity interactions that tend to dominate award season conversation just as much as the actual wins themselves.

For a night packed with historic milestones and emotional speeches, Hernández’s playful dinner invite offered a welcome dose of levity, and it’s safe to say Zendaya and Holland won’t be forgetting the offer anytime soon.

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