Tom Holland: My Rihanna performance gets me more compliments than Spider-Man

The actor went viral in 2017 for his rain-soaked appearance on Lip Sync Battle
US-ENTERTAINMENT-GQ
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Tina Campbell15 June 2023
The Weekender

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Despite having starred in more than 30 movies, TV shows and theatre productions, Tom Holland says the thing that most people want to talk to him about was an appearance on Lip Sync Battle almost six years ago.

The actor, 27, went viral back in 2017 when he donned fishnet stockings and a black wig to perform Rihanna’s hit Umbrella.

It was truly a watercooler moment and one that the Spider-Man star says he is still unable to shake.

“It is an interesting one,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “Because I’ve really worked hard in my career and I’ve really been calculated in deciding what it is I do and when I do it.it.

“And for all the movies that I’m incredibly proud of, the Lip Sync Battle is what I get the most compliments for.”

Reflecting on the bold performance, the British star said it came at a time when his career was really taking off and was honoured to be a part of the show.

“I don’t give a f**k,” he told the publication.

“I’ve grown up in the most non-toxic-masculine environment possible.

“I didn’t realise what I was doing was so forward-thinking. I was just like, ‘Yeah, f**k it, I’ll put some fishnets on and dance in the rain. That’ll be really fun. I don’t care’.”

However he freely admits that “you’d never catch me doing that now” as he would rather be spending his time away from TV and movie sets chilling out and playing golf.

Apple TV+

Holland, who can currently be seen starring in Apple TV+ crime thriller series The Crowded Room, recently clarified reports that he is taking a year out of acting by revealing that he is already eight months into it.

“It’s so funny. Obviously, The Crowded Room came out. We didn’t have very favourable reviews,” Holland said while appearing on US TV show Live with Kelly and Mark.

“So the press story was that I have taken this year off because of the reviews. But I’m eight months into my year off. I’ve been chilling at home in London, going to Grand Prixes, playing golf…”

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