Zendaya’s Paris Fashion Week etiquette misstep has prompted criticism after she remained seated while greeting France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron, at a Louis Vuitton show in the Louvre.
The actress, 30, was seated in the front row at the house’s spring/summer presentation on Tuesday when Mrs Macron, 73, approached her. Footage of the exchange has sparked debate online over whether Zendaya’s response was discourteous.
Zendaya appeared engrossed in conversation and did not initially notice Mrs Macron, who extended her arm and said hello. After Mrs Macron added “Bonjour”, the actress acknowledged her with a handshake and said “pleasure to meet you”, but did not stand.
She was also seen remaining in her seat when Bernard Arnault, the 77-year-old chairman and chief executive of LVMH, which owns Louis Vuitton, came to welcome her. Zendaya shook his hand and told him it was “nice to see you” before returning to her conversation.
The video, posted on X with the comment that Zendaya should get up when the French first lady was trying to greet her, had received nearly nine million views at the time of writing. Viewers were divided, with some describing the exchange as rude and an unnecessary “power move”, while others defended the actress.
Etiquette experts criticise Zendaya’s response
Etiquette experts Laura Windsor and Julius Smith both said standing would have been the appropriate response when someone approached to offer a greeting.
“One of the simplest rules of etiquette is that when you meet someone, you stand up,” Ms Windsor said, adding that it had “nothing to do with celebrity status”.
Mr Smith, founder of Regal Afternoon Tea and a former royal butler, said: “The correct thing to do when somebody approaches to greet you is to stand up, look them in the eye, smile and acknowledge them properly. It is a very simple gesture, but one that shows respect.”
Ms Windsor said standing also demonstrated attentiveness and showed that a person recognised the importance of the individual in front of them. She described it as the “first step in establishing a positive relationship”.
Mr Smith said the convention applied regardless of the status of the person being greeted. “Good manners should never depend on how important the other person happens to be,” he said.
He added that different customs applied when meeting prominent figures such as the King or the Pope. Ms Windsor said a person should wait for the King to approach, then offer a small curtsy and initially address him as “Your Majesty”.
When meeting the Pope, Mr Smith said he should be addressed as “Your Holiness”. While some Catholics traditionally kiss the papal ring, he said, a respectful handshake was also appropriate.
“These traditions may have become less formal over the years, but courtesy should never go out of fashion,” Mr Smith said of the incident involving Zendaya.
Zendaya attended the show as a Louis Vuitton House Ambassador, a role she took on in 2023. Her first campaign for the fashion house featured its Capucines bag, with the actress photographed at a French villa by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott and styled by Law Roach.
The episode is not the first time Zendaya’s conduct at a Louis Vuitton show has attracted online criticism. In 2023, footage appeared to show her directing Mr Roach to a second-row seat, prompting speculation about tension between the pair.
Mr Roach later denied any feud and described Zendaya as his “little sister”. She said they had been delayed by traffic and were rushing to find their seats, adding: “I ride super hard for my team, especially for people I love.”
