Tom Holland Reflects on Iconic “Umbrella” Lip Sync Battle

In a recent episode of Gordon Ramsay’s YouTube series “Scrambled,” Tom Holland revisited his now-legendary 2017 “Lip Sync Battle” performance of Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” offering fresh insight into the creative process behind the act and the enduring cultural impact it has had—particularly within the LGBTQ+ community .

Holland, who starred in “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” originally agreed with co-star Zendaya to keep their performances “easy breezy” and low-key. “That was the agreement: no crazy stuff, just nice and easy breezy,” Holland told Ramsay . However, as rehearsals progressed, the routine grew increasingly ambitious. The introduction of a rain machine and suggestions from the creative team led Holland to fully embrace the theatricality of the moment: “Then the rain machine came in. Then I was like, f**k it, I want to wear fishnets and I want a wig and a quick change” .

The now-infamous outfit—featuring fishnet tights, a black bob wig, and a dramatic stage presence—became an instant sensation. When asked by Ramsay if the tights belonged to his mother, Holland laughed, revealing they were actually his grandmother’s .

Holland’s willingness to subvert gender norms and embrace camp performance art resonated with viewers and quickly became a viral internet moment. The performance amassed over 166 million views on YouTube and is repeatedly referenced by fans and media alike . Holland himself acknowledges that despite his many accomplishments, “of all the pieces of work I’ve done, that I’ve put my heart and soul into, blood, sweat, and tears, the lip sync is the thing that everyone brings up. It’s never Spider-Man, it’s never any of my other movies, it’s always Lip Sync Battle. It haunts me” .

The performance’s bold embrace of gender fluidity and theatricality has been celebrated by LGBTQ+ commentators as a milestone in mainstream pop culture visibility. Many within the queer community have cited Holland’s act as emblematic of the joy and freedom found in drag, performance art, and unapologetic self-expression .

Holland also revealed that his father, Dominic Holland, initially discouraged the performance, concerned it might overshadow his son’s young acting career and draw attention for reasons beyond his film work. “When I told my dad, he was like, ‘Son, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I don’t think you should do that.’ I think he was just, at that time in my career, he was very worried about me becoming too famous too quickly” .

Yet the performance not only failed to harm Holland’s career, but also cemented his reputation as a fearless performer willing to break boundaries. In an age where celebrities often curate their images, Holland’s openness has been seen as both refreshing and empowering—particularly by young LGBTQ+ people searching for role models in mainstream media .

Eight years since its debut, Holland’s “Umbrella” performance endures as a symbol of joy, resilience, and creative freedom. It continues to circulate on social media, inspire memes, and spark discussions about gender expression and the intersection of pop culture and LGBTQ+ identities .

As Holland reflected on the experience with Ramsay, his story served as a reminder that moments of authentic self-expression—whether on stage, online, or in daily life—can have far-reaching, affirming impacts on fans worldwide.