It was 2017. The world was about to meet a new Spider-Man, but before the movie even hit theaters, two kids from the Marvel Cinematic Universe basically broke the internet. You know the one. The Zendaya Lip Sync Battle episode is the kind of pop culture lightning that just doesn't strike twice.
Honestly, if you go back and watch it now—and millions of people still do every single month—it feels like a fever dream. Most people remember Tom Holland in the rain (we’ll get to that, because how can you not?), but there is a massive misconception that Zendaya just "showed up."
She didn't just show up. She turned a goofy Spike TV segment into a masterclass of R&B history and swagger.
The Night Everything Changed for the "Spider-Man" Duo
When Zendaya walked onto that stage, she wasn't just there to promote a movie. She was there to win. The setup was simple: she was facing off against her co-star, Tom Holland. At the time, they were just friends—or so they said—but the chemistry and the competitive "I’m going to bury you" energy was palpable from the first second.
The show was hosted by LL Cool J and Chrissy Teigen, who looked genuinely stressed by the level of talent they were witnessing. Zendaya's strategy was genius. She didn't go for the obvious pop hits. Instead, she leaned into her deep love for 90s soul and modern funk.
Round One: The "Tyrone" Mastery
For her first song, she chose Erykah Badu's "Tyrone." This was a bold move. It’s not a high-energy dance track. It’s a vibe. It’s a mood. She came out in a massive head wrap, perfectly mimicking Badu’s iconic live performance aesthetic.
- The Swagger: She had the mic stand lean down to a science.
- The Attitude: She looked at Tom like he actually owed her money and needed to call his mama.
- The Reaction: Erykah Badu herself later tweeted, "@Zendaya why you snap like that?" with a bunch of emojis. When the queen of neo-soul gives you the thumbs up, you’ve basically won life.
Round Two: The 24K Magic Breakdown
Then came the heavy hitter. Zendaya took on Bruno Mars’ "24K Magic." If you haven’t seen it in a while, go back. She looks more like Bruno Mars than Bruno Mars does. She had the red silk outfit, the white hat, the gold chains—and most importantly, she had the "chill."
The choreography wasn't just "good for an actress." It was professional-grade. She was deplaning a fake private jet, throwing play money into the crowd, and hitting every single syncopated beat with her dancers. Producer Casey Patterson later told the LA Times that Zendaya "locked in so fast" during rehearsals that the crew was stunned. She basically walked in, did the routine once, and had the "Bruno vibe" instantly.
What Really Happened With the "Umbrella" Situation
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the Spider-Man in the fishnets.
While the Zendaya Lip Sync Battle performance of "24K Magic" was a 10/10, Tom Holland decided to do the most. He started with "Singin' in the Rain" before transitioning into Rihanna’s "Umbrella." It is widely considered the greatest single moment in the show's history.
But here’s the thing nobody mentions: Zendaya knew it was coming, and she still looked terrified.
Tom recently admitted on Gordon Ramsay's Scrambled that he and Zendaya had a "pact" before the show. They agreed to "keep it easy." They weren't going to go too crazy. Obviously, Tom lied. Or at least, he got carried away by the rain machine.
Zendaya's face during his performance is half-impressed, half- "I am going to kill you for not telling me you were doing backflips in a leotard." It’s that genuine shock that makes the episode so rewatchable. She was doing a high-level dance routine; he was doing a theatrical transformation that involved his grandmother's fishnets (yes, he actually claimed they were his granny's).
Why This Episode Still Ranks So High in 2026
You might wonder why we’re still talking about a TV episode from nearly a decade ago. It’s because it was the last time we saw celebrities "play" like this before everything became so curated.
- The Talent Floor: Both of them are theater kids. Zendaya was on Dancing with the Stars and Tom was Billy Elliot. The floor for "talent" was incredibly high.
- The Chemistry: This was the "Origin Story" for Tomdaya. Fans look back at this episode as the moment they clearly fell for each other. Whether that's true or not, the "mating call" jokes on Reddit have never stopped.
- The Cultural Impact: Most Lip Sync Battle episodes are forgotten. This one has hundreds of millions of views across YouTube and TikTok. It’s a staple of "Comfort YouTube."
Beyond the Stage: The Impact on Zendaya's Career
At the time, Zendaya was still shedding the "Disney Star" label. Doing a soul-heavy performance of "Tyrone" and a high-swag version of "24K Magic" proved she had a level of cool that most child stars never achieve. It showed she understood R&B culture deeply.
It also highlighted her perfectionism. While Tom’s performance was about the shock factor, Zendaya’s was about technical precision. Every finger snap and lip curl was intentional.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of people think Zendaya lost because her performance wasn't as "big" as Tom's. Technically, Tom did win the belt. But if you look at the "replay value," Zendaya’s Bruno Mars routine is the one that people use as a benchmark for how to actually perform on that show without relying on a gimmick. She didn't need a rain machine; she just needed a beat and a hat.
How to Experience the Magic Today
If you're looking to revisit this, don't just watch the 30-second clips on TikTok. They cut out the best parts of the choreography.
- Watch the Full Episode: You can find it on various streaming platforms or the official Paramount/Spike YouTube channels. Look for Season 3, Episode 16.
- Check the Behind-the-Scenes: There are rehearsal videos that show just how much work Zendaya put into the "24K Magic" footwork. It wasn't "effortless"—she worked her tail off to make it look effortless.
- Listen to the Songs: Honestly, hearing "24K Magic" or "Tyrone" now instantly brings back images of Zendaya in that red silk. That’s the power of a good lip sync; you own the song forever.
The Zendaya Lip Sync Battle remains a top-tier piece of entertainment history because it wasn't just a PR stunt. It was two incredibly talented people at the start of their superstardom, having the time of their lives, and refusing to phone it in.
Next Steps for the Pop Culture Fan: Go back and watch the "24K Magic" performance specifically focusing on Zendaya's facial expressions during the "hustlers, gangsters" verse. It’s a masterclass in character acting. Once you've done that, compare it to the original Bruno Mars music video to see just how many tiny, specific mannerisms she actually studied and replicated. It’s way more detailed than you probably remember.
