Nothing but Respect for MY Mary Jane Watson, Zendaya

Zendaya looks more like Marvel Comics’ Mary Jane Watson than Kirsten Dunst ever did but people like to go off. I’ve written about the importance of Michelle Jones in the past because let’s face it, she’s an incredible spin on the character. That never stopped a certain subset of people from complaining online that she didn’t look like “their” Mary Jane Watson.

How so, you ask? Well, most of them used the argument of her hair color because they maybe didn’t want to come off as overtly racist, so they said it was because she wasn’t a red-head. This was not our first Internet rodeo, however, and these “arguments” were tiresome and bad from the start.

So how did Zendaya show her MJ likeness on the most recent press tour for Spider-Man: Far From Home? Well, she brought out the red locks and called Peter Parker “Tiger.”

Which like, guys, the proof is right here.

Obviously, Twitter loved the MJ look and responded in kind.

I come from a long line of people in this world who have dyed their hair red to be more like Mary Jane Watson. Because growing up, I wanted to be connected to Spider-Man and, subsequently, Peter Parker in whatever ways I could—meaning I’d willingly dye my hair. And you know what? Maybe I’ll dye my hair red again but this time, to be more like Zendaya.

I think the toxic fans who cried over the fact that her MJ wasn’t the MJ they grew up with are going to complain no matter what because that’s who they are and what they do. For the rest of us who recognize greatness, we can see that this is a power move by Zendaya and now, honestly, I can’t wait for Michelle Jones to call Peter Parker “Tiger” onscreen so I can die happily.

(image: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Sony)

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Rachel Leishman

Rachel Leishman (She/Her) is an Assistant Editor at the Mary Sue. She's been a writer professionally since 2016 but was always obsessed with movies and television and writing about them growing up. A lover of Spider-Man and Wanda Maximoff's biggest defender, she has interests in all things nerdy and a cat named Benjamin Wyatt the cat. If you want to talk classic rock music or all things Harrison Ford, she's your girl but her interests span far and wide. Yes, she knows she looks like Florence Pugh. She has multiple podcasts, normally has opinions on any bit of pop culture, and can tell you can actors entire filmography off the top of her head. Her current obsession is Glen Powell's dog, Brisket. Her work at the Mary Sue often includes Star Wars, Marvel, DC, movie reviews, and interviews.

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