IT’S NEARLY 80 DEGREES
ON a balmy October Monday in New York City, the patrons of the Greenwich Hotel lounge are fully embracing their fall vibes. The atmosphere reflects the season as well, with a blazing fire crackling in a grand hunting-lodge hearth, making the dimly lit space just as warm as the outside temperature.
Tom Holland is comfortably settled in a striped silk armchair by the fireplace. Dressed in white On running shoes, wide-leg trousers, and an ivory sweatshirt, he quickly sheds the latter, offering a muffled apology as his T-shirt rides up. Once free from the sweatshirt, he relaxes into the chair, framed by towering shelves of ancient literature and a taxidermied antelope head. The flickering firelight and a massive red-shaded lamp cast deep shadows across his features, highlighting every contour of his face, especially the distinct cleft in his chin. His English accent is warm and approachable, reminiscent of Harry Potter rather than the royal air of Prince William, adding to the impression that he could easily be performing a dramatic reading from one of the books behind him.
“My accent bugs my parents,” he shares. “They speak quite eloquently, and I like to think I exist in a space just below that level.” He adds that his brother Harry’s accent is “even worse.” “E thinks he’s, like, from the East End? And it drives my parents crazy.”
I’m observing Holland for signs of that elusive charm known as rizz, which Timothée Chalamet recently dubbed him the “ultimate rizz master” in an interview with LADbible TV. “The Internet knows this. Zendaya knows this. Everyone knows this.” It’s undeniable that social media erupts with excitement whenever Holland makes an appearance, especially alongside Zendaya, his megastar girlfriend. Yet, I find it challenging to pinpoint what makes him so magnetic. “It’s kind of an intangible thing,” notes Spider-Man director Jon Watts. “You look at him, and you just love him.”
Let’s be clear: the 28-year-old actor possesses all the obvious traits of charisma. He’s charming, intelligent, and self-assured. I’ve also witnessed his unforgettable 2017 Lip Sync Battle performance, where he energetically dances in a corset and tight leather shorts to Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” concluding with a front flip onto a drenched stage. I recognize that, like his alter ego, Peter Parker, he has remarkable and perhaps limitless talents. However, tucked away in the hotel lounge, his demeanor radiates not sleek charm but profound sincerity.
Perhaps this sincerity stems from the fact that he isn’t promoting a film today. In reality, he’s just returning from a year-long hiatus from acting. “It was something I needed,” he explains. “I had been acting non-stop since I was 11.” His journey began with an audition for Billy Elliot: The Musical in London. Soon after, he starred in The Impossible alongside Naomi Watts before donning the Spider-Man suit in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. He has since reprised his role in two Avengers films and three standalone Spider-Man movies, with another installment on the horizon, while also tackling intense roles in films like Cherry, where he navigates love, combat, addiction, and crime, and The Crowded Room, a psychological thriller about a young man entangled in a harrowing crime. Besides the upcoming fourth Spider-Man film, he’ll also join Matt Damon and Zendaya in a Christopher Nolan project set for 2026.
This break served as a pause before embarking on a new chapter, positioning him to not only further his rapid rise in Hollywood but also to savor the rewards of his success. He fills his London home with loved ones, enjoys carpentry, and is an avid golfer with an impressive 2.9 handicap. Recently, he and his brothers participated in a tournament alongside professional golfer Tommy Fleetwood and emerged victorious. “It was the best day ever. I called my girlfriend and joked, ‘Hey, I’m thinking about going pro,’” he laughs. He and Zendaya share a dog named Noon, and they recently welcomed a Doberman puppy named Daphne. “She’s adorable; it’s almost comical,” he laughs, showcasing a photo of the puppy with a guilty expression. “This was her after she had an accident in my house.” (The rizz is real.) Holland doesn’t possess the typical glitzy charisma associated with superheroes. Instead, he embodies something much more genuine.
HOLLAND’S SINCERITY ENDURES even as he discusses his new venture into nonalcoholic beers, Bero, which he is currently promoting; following our interview, he’ll attend an event to pitch the beers to numerous bartenders. In a landscape where celebrities often seem robotic when discussing their brands, Holland’s enthusiasm shines through as he talks about Bero.
He explains that it’s a personal journey for him. At his core, he’s just a regular guy who values his close relationships. He did manage to nail that backflip, but it came at a cost—he ended up straining every muscle in his abdomen. Achieving a successful backflip relies heavily on pushing up before tucking in, and unfortunately, the aftermath left him in pain and unable to laugh for weeks. Just like the rest of us, stars also challenge their bodies to impress others. Looking for a meal to wow your partner? Recently, I’ve been experimenting with a delectable lentil chili, a spin on traditional chili con carne that replaces meat with lentils.
As for euphemisms for intimacy? Well, that remains a private matter between me and my partner!
Don’t forget to check out the cover image of Tom Holland featured in the January/February 2025 issue of Men’s Health magazine.
Fashion Director: Ted Stafford
Stylist: Crystalle Cox
Assistant Stylist: Imani Granger
Grooming: Amy Komorowski/The Wall Group
Set Designer: Michael Sturgeon/Monday Artists
Tailoring: Darlene Deandrade
Production: Dana Brockman/Viewfinders
Executive Producer/Director: Dorenna Newton
DP/Editor: Elyssa Aquino
Cam Op: Robert Mroczko
AP: Janie Booth
This feature is included in the January/February 2025 edition of Men’s Health magazine. Be sure to grab your copy today!
