Tom Holland’s Lip Sync Battle: The Story Behind the Iconic Performance

In May 2017, Tom Holland appeared on “Lip Sync Battle” alongside co-star Zendaya to promote the upcoming release of “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” But little did he know, his performance of “Singin’ in the Rain”/”Umbrella” would go down in pop culture history as one of the most iconic and beloved routines on the show. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the story behind Tom Holland’s Lip Sync Battle performance.

The Concept

Sony approached the producers of “Lip Sync Battle” with the idea of doing a Holland vs. Zendaya episode to promote their upcoming movie. The show’s executive producers loved the idea of showing Holland’s multi-talented nature, beyond just his physicality as Spider-Man.

The Performance

Tom Holland’s performance of “Singin’ in the Rain”/”Umbrella” was choreographed by Danielle Flora. Holland initially performed “Ride Wit Me” by Nelly before transitioning into his iconic routine. The combination of fishnets, water, and thrusting led to a magic on the dance floor that has been recreated by fans on TikTok and viewed more than 140 million times on YouTube.

The Impact

The “Lip Sync Battle” performance has become a defining moment in Holland’s career, which he has proudly embraced. However, he has also expressed surprise at how much attention it has garnered compared to his other work. Nonetheless, the impact of his performance has undeniably cemented itself in pop culture history.

Tom Holland’s Thoughts

In interviews, Holland has shared his thoughts about the performance and its impact on his life. He expressed pride in the performance and how it left a lasting impact on viewers. However, he also reflected on how it is interesting that this performance, among all the movies he’s done, is the one he gets the most compliments for.

Non-Toxic Masculinity

Many fans of the performance have praised Holland for breaking gender constructs and being a positive example of non-toxic masculinity. However, Holland has shared that he did not intend to make a statement about this. He has said that he grew up in a non-toxic masculine environment and did not realize how forward-thinking his performance was. He simply “put some fishnets on and danced in the rain.”

The Story Behind the Making of Tom Holland’s Lip Sync Battle Performance

The Costume

The idea for Holland’s costume was inspired by Gene Kelly’s outfit in “Singin’ in the Rain,” which involved a trench coat and umbrella. However, they wanted to modernize it. They decided to add the fishnets, which Flora said represented the “gender-bending aspect” of the performance. They also added a red lip to emphasize the sensuality of the routine.

The Choreography

Flora said that she wanted to incorporate elements of Gene Kelly’s iconic routine but also add modern dance elements to give it a fresh feel. She added a lot of floorwork and sensual movements to emphasize Holland’s sex appeal. She also incorporated the umbrella as a prop to add visual interest and make the routine more dynamic.

The Performance

Numerous factors contributed to the magic of Holland’s performance. The water that poured down on him added a visual and sensual element to the routine. The fishnets added a gender-bending touch and emphasized his leg movements. The trench coat and umbrella added a classic Hollywood touch. And, of course, Holland’s raw talent as a performer and his commitment to the routine shone through.

Conclusion

Tom Holland’s Lip Sync Battle performance has become a defining moment in his career and in pop culture history. Its impact on viewers and fans is undeniable, and it has become a testament to Holland’s talent as a performer. The story behind the making of the performance is a fascinating one that shows the amount of thought and creativity that went into every aspect of the routine.

FAQs

1. What inspired Tom Holland’s Lip Sync Battle performance?

The performance was inspired by Gene Kelly’s “Singin’ in the Rain” routine, but Holland and the producers wanted to modernize it and add a gender-bending touch to it.

2. Did Tom Holland expect the performance to become so popular?

Tom Holland has expressed surprise at how much attention his Lip Sync Battle performance has received, but he has embraced its impact on viewers and pop culture history.

3. Was Tom Holland trying to make a statement about toxic masculinity?

No, Tom Holland has said that he did not intend to make a statement about toxic masculinity with his performance. He simply put on some fishnets and danced in the rain.

4. Who choreographed Tom Holland’s Lip Sync Battle performance?

The Lip Sync Battle performance was choreographed by Danielle Flora.

5. What was the feedback Tom Holland received for his performance?

Tom Holland has received numerous compliments for his Lip Sync Battle performance and has expressed that it is the one thing he gets the most compliments for, despite his other work.