Happy 4th Anniversary of Tom Holland on Lip Sync Battle

May 8, 2021 8:27 AM

It's the 4th anniversary of Tom Holland doing Rihanna's Umbrella. By now, of course, there is an oral history of how it happened. (Previously.)
posted by toastyk (14 comments total)

My 13yo is a tremendous fan of Tom Holland, and of this dance number. I will have to get him one of the hoodies linked to in the oral history article.
posted by Orlop at 8:46 AM on May 8, 2021 [1 favorite]

This is fantastic- thank you!

And this info was astonishing- what I would no give to see this footage. I bet it's equally amazing!

"Every song performed on "Lip Sync Battle" has to get cleared by the artists and songwriters involved in the track. Once the show decided on "Umbrella," it wasn't certain that they could get the rights. Britney Spears' "Oops I Did It Again" was prepared as a backup, and, according to the creative brief viewed by Insider, would have involved Holland dressed in the classic red latex jumpsuit and a possible cameo from Spears in costume as an astronaut."
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 9:07 AM on May 8, 2021 [1 favorite]

I missed this performance completely-- how glorious and fun! And I love a good oral history, too.
posted by sundaydriver at 10:09 AM on May 8, 2021

Tom Holland can just bring such a joy to stuff (which is why I've really enjoyed his Spidermanning). This is amazing and I can't believe I've never seen it.
posted by dismas at 10:19 AM on May 8, 2021 [5 favorites]

Also...if anybody would like an art print, the designer/illustrator Alice Zhang has a few "academic studies" for sale.
posted by toastyk at 11:06 AM on May 8, 2021 [7 favorites]

Another indicator that I am officially out of touch with what's going on in pop culture. I knew nothing of this, and you say it was four years ago??
posted by zardoz at 2:01 PM on May 8, 2021 [1 favorite]

Two things I adore about this is that he manages to change and get lipsticked up in nine seconds, and also barely halfway through, you can see that Zendaya knows she's lost and absolutely could not care less because she got to witness this.
posted by HypotheticalWoman at 3:28 PM on May 8, 2021 [12 favorites]

I missed it the first time, too. How delightful!
posted by Glinn at 4:00 PM on May 8, 2021

If you haven't - watch the whole episode. Not to take away a thing from Holland, but Zendaya ALSO KILLED IT. Erykah Badu and Bruno Mars are both huge charisma performances while being totally different energies, and she nails them both. I almost wish she could have been in a separate ep, because if it had been anyone else she would have blown away the competition.
posted by BlueBlueElectricBlue at 4:21 PM on May 8, 2021 [6 favorites]

Full episode here (dunno for how long).

Other fave Lip Sync Battle performances:

Zoe Saldana Performs “Stressed Out” & “No Scrubs” w/ T-Boz & Chilli

Joseph Gordon-Levitt's "Rhythm Nation" vs. Anthony Mackie's "2 Legit 2 Quit"

Clark Gregg’s “Toxic” vs. Hayley Atwell’s “Bad Romance”
posted by toastyk at 10:07 PM on May 8, 2021 [3 favorites]

So along with Spider-Man and M.J., we have the dance stylings of Gamora, Falcon / Captain America, and Agent Coulson versus Agent Carter? Why is there no MCU movie musical yet??
posted by mbrubeck at 9:31 AM on May 9, 2021 [1 favorite]

Another indicator that I am officially out of touch with what's going on in pop culture. I knew nothing of this, and you say it was four years ago??

Tell me about it. Pretty sure I only "discovered" this last year but no matter how late, I'm glad I did because it's just fantastic.
posted by turbid dahlia at 4:38 PM on May 9, 2021

It was fun reading some of the history of this. And also remembering to watch it again, something I do every time I'm reminded that it exists. Always makes me happy.
posted by blueberry monster at 8:36 PM on May 10, 2021

Loved it four years ago, and loved it again today. What talent (for everyone involved)!

Happy anniversary!
posted by blurker at 11:29 AM on May 11, 2021