It’s been years, but let’s be real: we are still collectively recovering from the sheer audacity of it. You know the clip. The one where a young, relatively unknown British kid named Tom Holland effectively broke the internet before "breaking the internet" was a tired cliché. People still talk about the Zendaya v Tom Holland lip sync battle like it was a shift in the tectonic plates of pop culture.
Honestly? It kind of was.
But if you think it was just a goofy TV segment to promote Spider-Man: Homecoming, you’re missing the actual drama that happened behind the curtain. There was a secret pact, a very concerned father, and some borrowed hosiery that definitely wasn't part of the original script.
The "Take It Easy" Pact That Never Stood a Chance
The wildest part about the Zendaya v Tom Holland lip sync battle is that it was supposed to be boring. Or at least, "nice and easy breezy," as Tom put it later.
Before the cameras rolled in 2017, the two co-stars actually sat down and made a formal agreement. They were both nervous. Tom was still trying to figure out if Americans would even like him. Zendaya was already a pro, but she didn’t want to steamroll her new friend. They agreed: no crazy stunts, no wild costumes, just a chill night of miming some songs.
Then the creative team pitched the "Umbrella" idea.
Tom, being a former Billy Elliot star with a "go big or go home" switch that never turns off, basically threw the pact in the trash. He recently told Gordon Ramsay on the Scrambled series that as rehearsals went on, the production kept adding layers. A rain machine? Sure. A quick-change? Why not.
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"I just thought, screw it—if I'm doing this, I'm doing it all the way," he said. And he did. He really, really did.
What Really Happened With the Fishnets
You’ve seen the outfit: the cropped black wig, the leotard, and those iconic fishnets. There’s a persistent internet rumor that he stole them from Zendaya’s dressing room or that they were high-end costume pieces.
Nope.
In a 2025 interview, Tom revealed a detail that makes the whole thing ten times funnier. When Gordon Ramsay asked if the stockings belonged to his mom, Tom quipped, "They were my granny's, actually."
Imagine being Tom Holland’s grandmother, watching your grandson perform a high-octane Rihanna tribute in your own hosiery on global television. That’s the kind of family support you can't buy.
Why Tom’s Dad Tried to Stop It
It wasn’t all laughs leading up to the taping, though. Tom’s dad, Dominic Holland, was actually pretty worried. He wasn't being a buzzkill for the sake of it; he was genuinely concerned about his son’s career trajectory.
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At the time, Tom was right on the cusp of massive, life-changing fame. Dominic’s fear was that doing "extra" TV shows—especially ones involving drag and rain-soaked backflips—might make Tom "too famous too quickly" or overshadow his work as an actor.
In hindsight, it’s a bit ironic. Tom has admitted that despite the "blood, sweat, and tears" he’s put into his films, the Zendaya v Tom Holland lip sync battle is still the number one thing people bring up to him. Not Spider-Man. Not The Crowded Room. Just the fishnets. He says the performance "haunts" him, but in a way he’s clearly proud of.
Zendaya’s "24K Magic" Was Actually Incredible
Because Tom’s performance was so... loud... a lot of people forget that Zendaya absolutely killed her set. She opened with "Tyrone" by Erykah Badu, leaning into the comedy of it, before pivoting to a high-energy rendition of Bruno Mars’ "24K Magic."
If she had been up against literally anyone else, she would have won by a landslide.
Her reaction to Tom’s performance is what really sold the episode for fans. She wasn't just "acting" surprised; she was genuinely floored because he had completely blindsided her after their "low-key" agreement. Fans have been re-watching her delighted reaction ever since their engagement announcement, with some half-joking that this was the "mating ritual" that sealed the deal for their relationship.
The Cultural Ripple Effect
Why does this still matter in 2026?
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- Masculinity on Screen: It was a rare moment where a "masculine" action star did drag without making it a "joke" at the expense of women or the LGBTQ+ community. He wasn't mocking Rihanna; he was trying to be Rihanna.
- The Career Pivot: It proved Tom wasn't just a kid who could do flips; he was a legitimate stage performer.
- Viral Longevity: Most viral moments last a week. This one has lasted nearly a decade.
Key Performance Details
For those who haven't seen the clip in a while (or ever), the structure of the mashup was actually quite complex. It started as a tribute to Gene Kelly’s "Singin’ in the Rain," complete with a suit and fedora. The music flipped at the 20-second mark, the umbrellas opened to create a screen, and Tom emerged transformed.
The stage was incredibly slick from the rain machine. Tom has mentioned several times that his primary thought during the backflip wasn't "I hope I look cool," but rather "Please don't let me slip and break my neck on national TV."
Actionable Takeaways from the Battle
If there’s anything to learn from the saga of the Zendaya v Tom Holland lip sync battle, it’s these three things:
- Commitment is everything. If you’re going to do something "cringe" or outside your comfort zone, go 100%. Half-heartedness is what makes things awkward; total commitment makes them legendary.
- Pacts are made to be broken. In creative collaborations, sometimes "going rogue" (like Tom did with the rain machine) results in a better outcome for everyone involved, even the person you "betrayed."
- Don't ignore your roots. Tom's background in theater and dance was his secret weapon. Never hide the skills you think don't "fit" your current job description; they’re usually the things that will eventually set you apart.
The next time you’re feeling hesitant about a bold move, just remember: Tom Holland put on his granny's fishnets and changed his life forever.
Next Step for You: To see how this moment fits into the couple's full timeline, you can check out the latest updates on their recent engagement and how they’ve managed to keep their relationship private despite moments like this.