Tom Holland has headlined countless blockbuster films, yet fans often cite his electrifying 2017 face-off against Zendaya on Lip Sync Battle as his most unforgettable moment.
During a recent episode of Gordon Ramsay’s YouTube series, the Spider-Man star revealed that his over-the-top reenactment of Rihanna’s “Umbrella”—complete with backup dancers, umbrella props and a rain machine—actually broke a pact he and Zendaya made before rehearsals began.
“We promised each other we’d keep it simple,” he laughed. “The agreement was: no wild stunts on my end, no wild stunts on hers—just a chill, laid-back vibe.”
But as rehearsals progressed, the creative team kept layering on new ideas, pushing his act into ever more extravagant territory. The finale? A lavish mash-up of “Singing in the Rain” with “Umbrella,” featuring Holland in a cropped wig, leotard and a pair of fishnet stockings. (When Ramsay quipped about the tights, Holland quipped back, “Believe it or not, these belonged to my granny.”)
Eventually, Holland threw caution to the wind. “I thought, ‘Why not go all out?’ So I slipped into fishnets, rocked the wig and even did a quick-change mid-show,” he said, breaking into laughter.
Zendaya didn’t hold back either, dazzling the audience with her own over-the-top spin on Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic,” proving their pact was destined to be broken.
Beyond the spectacle, the performance unveiled a side of Holland seldom seen: his dance chops. “People had no idea I could move like that,” he admitted. “I kept my West End past as Billy Elliot under wraps, and then I just exploded onto that stage.”
Experience Holland’s iconic Lip Sync Battle showdown by watching the video above.
