Back in 2017, Zendaya and Tom Holland left audiences stunned with their performances on “Lip Sync Battle.” While Zendaya dazzled everyone with her rendition of Bruno Mars’ hit ’24K Magic,’ it was Holland who truly broke the internet with his unforgettable performance of Rihanna’s 2007 classic ‘Umbrella.’ However, the real drama unfolded when host Chrissy Teigen made a dramatic entrance, descending from the ceiling upside down while donning the iconic Spider-Man mask.
For movie buffs, particularly fans of the 2002 Spider-Man film starring Tobey Maguire, this act conjured up memories of the famous scene where Spider-Man, after valiantly fighting off thugs in the rain, shares a romantic upside-down kiss with Mary Jane, portrayed by Kirsten Dunst. Given Holland’s role as Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it seemed Zendaya quickly connected the dots. Her reaction, captured on video, showed her looking less than thrilled at the idea of Holland potentially recreating this iconic kiss with another woman.
Although it was unclear if Zendaya and Holland were officially a couple at that point, they had sparked romance rumors since meeting on the set of “Spider-Man: Homecoming” in 2016. The resurfacing of this clip on social media reignited discussions around their relationship, with fans eagerly commenting on Zendaya’s apparent jealousy. One fan exclaimed on Instagram, “She was about to throw some f**kin hands.” Another observed, “Zendaya’s smile faded like she was going to light that place up,” while a third remarked, “She was ready to fight lmao.”
Thankfully, the tension was short-lived. The audience and Zendaya were taken by surprise when John Legend, Teigen’s husband, walked onto the stage. This revelation changed the atmosphere entirely, prompting Zendaya to burst into laughter as Legend and Teigen shared a kiss, much to the delight of the crowd.
The competitive spirit between Holland and Zendaya was palpable during their “Lip Sync Battle” appearances, a dynamic that added an extra layer of entertainment for viewers. Reflecting on the experience during a promotional interview for “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” Zendaji immediately dismissed the idea of participating again, citing the extensive costume changes and complexities involved. Holland humorously interjected, lamenting the lack of ‘sparklers’ in his performance, to which Zendaya retorted about his advantage of having two songs to her one, despite her grand entrance from a private jet.
The debate over who ultimately won the battle might linger, but one thing is certain—it was a night filled with memorable performances that continue to spark conversations years later.