He actually almost didn’t do it. That’s the wild part. You’ve seen the clip—everyone has. It’s the 2017 episode of Lip Sync Battle where Tom Holland, fresh-faced and ready to promote Spider-Man: Homecoming, basically broke the internet before we even used that phrase for everything. He’s in a corset. He’s in fishnets. He is absolutely nailing Rihanna’s choreography while water pours from the rafters.
But the tom holland umbrella lip sync wasn't just a funny TV moment. It was a career-defining pivot that Tom’s own father, Dominic Holland, begged him not to do.
Dominic was worried. He thought it was too much, too soon. He wanted Tom to protect his "image" as a serious actor and a budding Marvel lead. Honestly, looking back from 2026, it’s hilarious to think that a bit of drag and some incredible dancing could have "ruined" a career. Instead, it made him a legend.
What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
The agreement between Tom and Zendaya was simple: keep it breezy. They were friends, they were co-stars, and they supposedly promised each other they wouldn't go too hard. Zendaya showed up and did a solid Bruno Mars. She was great. But Tom? Tom lied.
He worked with creative director Danielle Flora to craft a performance that was less of a "lip sync" and more of a Broadway-level production. It started with a bait-and-switch. He came out in a suit and a fedora, channeling Gene Kelly’s Singin' in the Rain. It was safe. It was classy. It was exactly what his dad probably wanted.
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Then the beat dropped.
The screen went up, the suit disappeared, and suddenly the tom holland umbrella lip sync became a masterclass in commitment. He didn't just wear the outfit; he owned the movement. Those years he spent playing Billy Elliot on the West End weren't for nothing. You can see it in the footwork. He’s hitting these sharp, aggressive lines in the rain, on a slippery stage, without missing a single beat.
The Fishnets and the Rain Machine
There’s a rumor that’s been floating around for years that the fishnets he wore belonged to his grandmother. Tom actually confirmed this in a few interviews later on, though he mostly jokes about it now. Whether they were truly "Granny's" or just a lucky pair from the wardrobe department, they’ve since been framed.
Yeah. Framed.
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The production team at Lip Sync Battle had to figure out how to dump gallons of water on a stage without electrocuting a future Avenger. It was a logistical nightmare. Tom has admitted since then that it was the most stressful thing he’s ever done. He was terrified of falling. If you watch the clip closely, you can see the sheer focus in his eyes right before he does that iconic final splash into the puddle.
Why We Are Still Obsessed With It
Why does this still show up on your feed every six months? It’s been nearly a decade.
Part of it is the subversion of expectations. In 2017, we were still very much in the era of the "macho" superhero. Seeing the guy who plays Peter Parker embrace femininity and drag with that much skill—and zero irony—was a cultural reset. He wasn't doing it as a joke. He wasn't mocking Rihanna. He was performing.
There’s a "Tom Holland Umbrella Law" on social media. Basically, if the clip appears on your timeline, you have to watch the whole thing. You don't make the rules; you just follow them.
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The Zendaya Factor
You can't talk about this performance without talking about Zendaya’s face. She is genuinely gobsmacked. She thought they were doing a "nice and easy" competition, and her boyfriend (well, friend at the time) turned into a pop star right in front of her. Her reaction—crouched on the floor, mouth agape—is half the reason the video went viral.
The Aftermath and the "Curse"
Interestingly, Tom has gone on record saying he would never do it again. In a 2023 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he mentioned that while he’s proud of it, he prefers his private life now. He’d rather be on a golf course than in a rain machine.
He also mentioned a slight "curse." No matter how many intense dramas he films—like The Crowded Room or The Devil All the Time—people always want to talk about the fishnets. It’s the "Umbrella" of his filmography. It overshadows the suit.
How to Channel That Energy
If there is any "actionable insight" to take from a British actor dancing in a corset, it’s about the power of the pivot.
- Surprise is a Currency: Tom could have been another "boy next door" actor. Instead, he became the guy who could do anything.
- Commitment is Everything: If he had done that dance half-heartedly, it would have been embarrassing. Because he went 100%, it became iconic.
- Ignore the "Safety" Advice: His dad was looking out for him, but sometimes the "risky" move is the one that builds the brand.
If you haven't watched the full performance in a while, go find the high-def version. Pay attention to the transitions. Look at the way he uses the umbrella as a prop, not just a decoration. It’s a lesson in stagecraft that most modern pop stars can’t even touch.
The next time you’re worried about "looking silly" or stepping outside your lane, just remember Tom Holland. He put on the wig, he did the dance, and he became the most relatable superstar on the planet because of it. Keep that same energy in your own work: don't just show up, make sure they can't look away.