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Tom Holland's Lip Sync Battle performance of "Umbrella"

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Tom Holland's Lip Sync Battle performance of "Umbrella" by Rihanna is an iconic viral music video and dance performance first broadcast in May 2017.[1] Tom Holland performed the number live in studio, in a single take, with only one full dress rehearsal prior, in the presence of Spider-Man trilogy costar Zendaya and Lip Sync Battle host LL Cool J.[2] The challenging choreography, performed in a "pleather leotard, red lipstick, and chin-length wig,"[3] pays homage to both Rihanna's work and Gene Kelly's legendary title solo from Singin' In the Rain.[2]

Holland was already an experienced professional dancer when the concept was pitched to him; as a child he had played Billy Elliot in London.[2] The Gene Kelly-style suit was a tear-away costume prepared to enable a quick change into the sexier "French maid" Rihanna look.[2] Holland applied his own lipstick, without a mirror, during the quick change.[1] Holland wore fishnet stockings as part of his ensemble but declined to wear high heels as he felt he would have been unable to safely flip in such footwear.[4]

The segment is considered by some to be "most famous, and beloved, routine" in the history of Lip Sync Battle.[2] Lip Sync Battle executive producer Casey Patterson said in 2021, "I think [Holland] loves us and curses us at the same time for how tied he will be to that performance forever. It's his fault. He killed it. He leaned all the way in like the pro that he is, and it went crazy because of that."[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Nugent, Annabel (2023-06-15). "Tom Holland defends memorable Rihanna 'Umbrella' Lip Sync Battle performance". The Independent. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Spencer, Ashley. "An oral history of Tom Holland's sensational 'Lip Sync Battle' performance". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  3. ^ Prosser, Keegan (2021-05-08). "Tom Holland's Epic Umbrella Dance Terrified Lip Sync Battle's Choreographers". CBR. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
  4. ^ "Tom Holland Says His Father Tried to Prevent His Epic Lip Sync Battle 'Umbrella' Performance". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
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