Tom Holland’s Dad Tried to Stop His Iconic Lip Sync Battle ‘Umbrella’ Performance

Rain poured, fishnets shimmered, and Spider-Man swung into pop culture history. Tom Holland’s 2017 Lip Sync Battle performance of Rihanna’s “Umbrella” remains legendary, but new revelations expose family drama and shocking wardrobe origins behind the viral moment. The Spider-Man star recently confessed his father fiercely opposed the routine, fearing it would accelerate his fame—while also unveiling that the iconic fishnets belonged to his grandmother.

Why Did Tom Holland’s Father Oppose the ‘Umbrella’ Performance?

In a candid chat with Gordon Ramsay, Holland revealed his father’s stern warning. At the peak of his early Spider-Man fame, Holland’s dad urged caution: “Son, I don’t think that’s a good idea… I don’t think you should do that.” His concern? Preventing overexposure. “He was very worried about me becoming too famous too quickly,” Holland explained. “He wanted me to maintain some normalcy.” This fatherly advice clashed with Holland’s creative vision. Initially, he and co-star Zendaya agreed to “keep it easy breezy” for their Lip Sync Battle appearances. But as rehearsals progressed, Holland embraced audacity—demanding rain machines, wigs, and fishnets. Against his dad’s wishes, he gambled on spectacle. The result? A cultural reset viewed over 300 million times, dwarfing even his Marvel milestones.

The Shocking Origin of Tom Holland’s Fishnets

The fishnet tights—now enshrined at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art—held a deeply personal secret. When Ramsay guessed they belonged to Holland’s mother, the actor corrected him: “They were my granny’s, actually.” The revelation adds a poignant layer to the performance’s legacy. Holland’s commitment to the bit was total: He sourced familial wardrobe pieces, choreographed a Singin’ in the Rain transition, and endured literal showers onstage. This dedication epitomized his willingness to subvert superhero typecasting, proving his range extended beyond Peter Parker’s earnest charm.

Why the Performance Still Haunts the Spider-Man Star

Despite starring in three $1 billion Spider-Man films, Holland admits the Lip Sync Battle routine “haunts” him. “Of all the pieces I’ve put heart and soul into—blood, sweat, and tears—this is what everyone brings up,” he lamented. The irony? His father’s fears materialized: The performance cemented Holland as a mainstream icon beyond Marvel. Yet its enduring fame overshadows his dramatic work. As he films Spider-Man: Brand New Day in Glasgow, fans still shout “Umbrella!” on streets—a testament to viral immortality.

Holland’s fishnets-and-rain spectacle defied paternal warnings, weaponized grandma’s wardrobe, and eclipsed his superhero legacy—proving that sometimes, the biggest risks yield the wettest rewards. For more on Spider-Man: Brand New Day, explore our exclusive set reports and villain breakdowns.

Must Know

Q: What song did Tom Holland perform on Lip Sync Battle?
A: Holland performed Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” preceded by a Singin’ in the Rain medley. The routine featured rain effects, a wig, fishnet tights, and a dramatic quick-change.

Q: Why did Tom Holland’s dad object to the performance?
A: His father feared rapid overexposure would disrupt Holland’s transition to adulthood. He advised avoiding non-essential TV appearances to preserve normalcy post-Spider-Man fame.

Q: Where are Tom Holland’s Lip Sync Battle fishnets now?
A: Holland confirmed they’re “framed at the MET” (Metropolitan Museum of Art), though the museum hasn’t publicly displayed them.

Q: Has Tom Holland done other Lip Sync Battle performances?
A: Yes! He first lip-synced to “Singin’ in the Rain” in the same episode before the “Umbrella” reveal.

Q: How did Zendaya react to Holland’s routine?
A: Initially, both agreed to “take it easy.” Zendaya later praised Holland’s commitment, calling it “iconic” in interviews.

Q: Will Tom Holland return to Lip Sync Battle?
A: Unlikely. He jokingly calls the experience “haunting” due to its persistent fame but acknowledges its impact on his career.