Spider-Man actor Tom Holland is currently gracing theater screens in his big-budget adventure, Uncharted, alongside Mark Wahlberg.
For many others, he will also be fondly remembered for another iconic appearance. In 2017, he took part in Lip Sync Battle, dragging up as Rihanna to perform to her classic hit, ‘Umbrella’.
In a new interview, Holland, 24, reflected upon that performance, and how his father feared that it might have a detrimental impact on his blossoming career.
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In the April issue of GQ, Holland said his dad, writer and comedian Dominic Holland, tried to talk him out of it.
He says his dad thought it was too “risqué” and implored Tom to call his manager and agents and tell them he’d changed his mind.
“Look, I am really glad I did that show and I had a lot of fun,” Holland explained. “It was incredibly stressful. It has been incredibly successful and has been a really great thing for my career. But my dad always taught me when I was younger and coming up in the business that you want to get famous as slowly as possible.
“You don’t want to get super famous tomorrow, because you won’t be able to handle it. It will ruin your life. I am very selective of who I talk to and what I do. I don’t ever want to overexpose myself, because my privacy is the last thing I own. I think that’s why he was so worried.
“And he’d tell me the same thing today I am sure: ‘Pace yourself, you’ve got a long career ahead of you’.
“I don’t want to lose myself to all… this.”
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Holland’s appearance on Lip Sync Battle coincided with the release of his first Spider-Man movie, Homecoming. Clips of his impressive drag performance, which included Holland getting drenched in water, have been viewed hundreds of millions of times on YouTube. He emerged the victor on that week’s show.
Polaro
Big fan.
Taxiarch1
I suppose my objection to Tom’s performance is the same I feel about all of them; he’s simply too good at his craft. It’s terrifying…like he’s a shapeshifter and fits into any place, any time, any role without effort.
The underlying Entity, that’s the one I want to see…I want to see him try to escape the person God housed him within when he was born.
dwick
that is an absolutely perfect description of him! he is absolutely wonderful at acting and he comes across as a sweetie
how can you not love him
Theweatherman
He really gots skillz
JRamonMc
That was one of the best lip sync episodes ever. I was in complete awe watching him throw himself into that Rhianna song both physically and mentally. Hats off to this incredible actor!
denc
I don’t feel that Tom has any issues with himself beyond what any of us may have in our lives. Harrison does a great job of keeping Tom grounded, and Tom’s family are omnipresent and encouraging. His brother, Harry, has been Tom’s constant companion since the powers that be sent Harrison packing in 2017. The busybodies of right wing vlogs and blogs had twisted quotes and started an outrage campaign about the need for a straight American Spiderman, and the “disgust” spilled over into the comments sections of Tom and Harrison’s many clips on YouTube. This became an “emergency for the homophobes who lord over actors’ contracts and the boys are only together when Tom isn’t working. Which is not often!
Very sad to split them up for part of the year, but at least Tom and Harrison have the home they’ve shared in London for a few years after upsizing from the condo. You know the house – it’s the “love nest” that Tom and Zendaya bought last week.
I hope someone told Harrison.
Bonerboy
I’m sorry…who is Harrison…?
Jaquelope
@Bonerboy : that’s what I’d like to know, too.
Den
His brother.
denc
Sorry for the confusion. Harrison is Harrison Osterfield.
Harry Holland is Tom’s younger brother. A photographer like their Mom, Harry has been with Tom since Harrison returned to England.
If you go to YouTube and search Harrison and Tom, you’ll find many videos posted pre 2017. While the videos stopped then, he is heavily featured at the Homecoming premiere and he and Tom included one another on their IGs while all was shut down for Covid.
muggie01
In the uk Harry is short for Harrison (is it the same in the US?), possible mix up on denc’s part????
cuteguy
A once in a generation talent.