Why Tom Holland Was Scared of His "Crowded Room" Role (But Not the Haircut) | Extended Interview

IMDb chats with #TomHolland about how he coped with playing the dramatic role of Danny Sullivan in #TheCrowdedRoom, how he de-stressed from long days of filming, and which British rapper's track helped him prepare for the show's most challenging scenes. The 'Spider-Man' star also reveals what he thinks about fan reactions to his infamous haircuts, whether he'll challenge Kathryn Newton for the title of best golfer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which sporting event he'll hit up next with his crew, and who he considers to be the true guardian angels of his life and career.
SUBSCRIBE | imdb.to/Subscribe
WATCH MORE |
Burning Questions imdb.to/BurningQs
Ask Each Other Anything imdb.to/AEA
Fan Q&A imdb.to/FanQs
FOLLOW ALONG |
TikTok imdb.to/TikTok
Instagram imdb.to/Instagram
Twitter imdb.to/Twitter
Facebook imdb.to/Facebook

[@peterskorec8246]

I love how him and and Mackie still to this day keep roasting each other 😂

[@skyeblu1722]

Tom Holland….one of the most impressive young up and coming professional actors ever!! He deserves a big award for the Crowded Room, no doubt.

[@BaileeEwailee]

I just wanna say that this was one of the best shows that I’ve seen, and I’m very upset with all the hate it’s been getting 😢

[@fairies-kill]

It’s not getting hate for no reason yk it’s been getting hate because it’s a horrible misrepresentation of DID and traumatizing to those who’ve already suffered enough

[@jad_with_an_e736]

​@@fairies-killstfu that's not the frickin' reason bro, people all over social media is clowning him for the one gay sex scene of the entire serious, and sad, and interesting, ass show, and making fun of his trauma by minimizing it to make it seem like him getting "backshots" is the reason why he took a break from acting for a year. Mess me with that bs🙄

[@BaileeEwailee]

@@faezehanisinia8685 wtf? There shouldn’t be consequences to acting. The sex scene is very important to the story, because it shows how the altars that Danny has each represent his emotions. For example, Danny is kind of awkward, and doesn’t really know how to express himself. But Ariana is the part of him that does know how too. She’s very crucial to Danny actually being a person with all emotions. Everyone has sexual attraction, that’s just apart of being a person. I truly don’t think that you even watched all of the show, or I just think that you don’t understand it fully. Maybe you should rewatch it so that you can understand the message of the show.

[@BaileeEwailee]

@@fairies-kill I don’t think you understand the show is not to bring back trauma with DID. it’s to make awareness of it. for people to know that it’s okay to ask for help.

[@faezehanisinia8685]

@@BaileeEwailee You're right, the word consequences was totally wrong, I just meant that scene definitely got a lot of backlash because it was a very bold move that a lot of hemophobic Spiderman lovers didn't expect to see. I say again, I personally have no problem with that scene and I watched the whole series and I think I understood it well, but of course I may be wrong . I just think maybe the dance scene showed Ariana's feelings and that was enough. To be honest, I think even homophobia may have caused many Journalists to give this show a negative rating. Because The Crowded Room is great compared to crap shows like Season 2 of The Morning Show.

[@jeanne9983]

I am lovin this show, I really don’t understand why people are not getting it, Tom is an excellent actor and seems a real down to earth person.

[@Apologetic231]

Well guess why no one likes spider man moaning like a girl for a Black dude

[@imation8559]

Tom did a phenomenal job! His acting has reached a whole new level and I can not wait to see him in his upcoming projects

[@rioclo4506]

The besttt besttt bestttt series I have EVERY SEEN in my lifeeee. Episode 10 was the hardest, when Danny finally accepted the truth that what happened to Adam is not his fault. And him realizing that Adam is him. Oh my God, I cried my eyes out. BEST BEST BEST SERIES IN THE WORLD. TOM, you were justtt fantastic.

[@GailB0707]

Tom Holland keeping up with the friendly beef with Anthony Mackie 😂😂😂

[@lilac951]

Mackie is probably f king terrible 😂 and we back with a smack talk 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@daria_ke]

I watched all 10 episodes yesterday in one day. I couldn't tear myself away. Tom is magnificent!

[@deisichristianti3570]

By far this is my favorite interview from the whole TCR press 😊 thank you Bret, great one, enjoyed this so much

[@naymeequillo]

What an incredible mature, down to earth, unscared beautiful courageous actor this man is. I hope he gets to stay this way and not get sucked into Hollywood.

[@dobro1021]

He did, he got pounded by bcc cuz of hollywood

[@SamanthaJade-vx3pp]

@@dobro1021y’all are so boring with this. Nobody touched him. You clearly didn’t watch it. It was a character and “that scene” was all of like 5 seconds. Y’all are so boring. Makes y’all sound so unintelligent. It’s about mental illness.

[@SamanthaJade-vx3pp]

@@dobro1021also bbc smart one

[@amaturearcadia]

This show is so good. Tom's a fantastic actor

[@ksiezycowapapaja8120]

RIGHT? hes brilliant as Danny

[@itsjustmet1743]

It is an excellent series- waiting for the next episode! Great work Tom! Great cast!

[@angel.diaz22]

omg i love the mackie slander😂😂

[@shaelynnfockler9549]

I know after 5 years they're still going at it 😭

[@Findyourcall]

Brilliant performance by Tom Holland! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@lvill3633]

for me, this is his best yet. I can't wait for the next. I hope that instead of taking a break, he'll take advantage of the heat. Read books, and grab that next great role that will break his best on record 😊

[@Lilac.sapphire]

I literally cried many times while watching the crowded room

[@nadadoyle8926]

A good show undeserving of the negative reviews. Great performances.

[@ayoamusan3276]

looking back now i see why he was scared 😂😂

[@M4B1OO]

Goated actor love toms work

[@mindtheprivacy]

He's such a charismatic kid .

[@dream1430]

He is 27??

[@keranm4524]

@@dream1430this guy is probably like 40 then

[@daria_ke]

So manny times I wanted to give Denny-Tom a big hug 🫂 protect him, help him...

[@alecanselmo]

I could do without the crappy music in the background, IMDB. Just let the interview roll, I’m here for the actor. Tom is talking calm and you have this crazy heavy music going in the background.

[@MiliaSanASMR]

Feeling you

[@galaxy7192]

Finde, es einfach nur super das er bis heute bodenständig geblieben ist, im Gegensatz zu manchen anderen.

[@LegolasGreenQuif]

This show... was so moving, so captivating, and heatfelt, and it just showed how multi-faceted, Tom Hollands acting really is. Absolutely amazing show.. and so god damn moving.

[@BlueSky87210]

Great show!!!

[@orsolyaritter7292]

He did a bloody good job...his acting was superb. I respect and like this young man so much. He is totally different than other actors of his generation.

[@brucesamia6353]

such a great series.

[@BeautifullyHava]

It is not the first time that Katheryn says that she wants to play with Tom and meet him. The way she says it...😗now I need to see them playing golf. OMG.♡♡♡♡😊❤

[@rubiksworld2170]

Girl what 😅

[@dest-cw5nk]

um what….. also tomdaya bro

[@Waytooblonde]

Best show this year! He did such an amazing job. I’m impressed he also produced!

[@cheesemayo717]

I'm amazed by his acting! Masterpiece!❤

[@Kingrlui7]

I finished the show yesterday, finding out all his friends, Ariana, Jack, etc were all not real I was like ohhhhh shit, but finding out Adam was not real, it was a bigger gasp!

[@heehee6113]

i love this series can't wait for episode 8

[@keranm4524]

💀 Isn’t that the episode where he takes back shots from BBC😂

[@SamanthaJade-vx3pp]

@@keranm4524y’all are so slow and embarrassing.

[@TedWhite-h9p]

Tom proved he is indeed an Actor .. heavy on the... "tor" . Sir you should be very proud

[@zeleor6954]

This show was honestly amazing, very painful yet beautifully cathartic. All the performances were excellent but Tom’s was, in my opinion, absolutely brilliant and award-worthy. I hope he's able to block out the homophobic incels going after him, though. I cant imagine working so hard on a project that means so much to me just to have a bunch of idiots trash it for no good reason.

[@doverose300]

Love you Tom 😍

[@N.B.I1680]

in that show tom was looks like edward norton in his movie primial fear

[@esel-ns5yq]

Hayatımda izlediğim en iyi diziydi..

[@Dre627]

the beef with mackie never fails to make me laugh

[@jingleballs9935]

I feel a Arthur fleck vibe from this character. From “The Joker”.

[@stucknparadise]

This show was fuckin amazin!!!!

[@asmmovies0220]

Lmao the mackie clip💀💀💀

[@sagorhosseinneel3947]

Crowded room is fire 🔥

[@josephlori4625]

Tom Holland, you are a real trooper, and I mean that !!

[@katelyn9397]

what song was it that stormzy mentioned Tom?

[@suzzeth5577]

Mel made me do it

[@johndewhirst8761]

This show is further proof (as if we needed it) that critics have no idea what they're talking about and you should always go off the audience ratings

[@shailipaul]

If you want to know about Billie Milligan and how heartless people are, you may read "The Minds of Billie Milligan"

[@4elip3]

No you

[@julia-eu8xo]

​@4eliip3 I wouldn't expect Billy to be anything like Danny.

[@blnix8828]

I've enjoyed The Crowded Room...

[@suzzeth5577]

Never see Tottenham there😭😭😭

[@nadiastefaniak4593]

Fenomenal

[@cami_xz]

Why he kinda look traumatized 😭

[@yuliaalt5597]

Deep and important film! For me,in this story most dramatic moment,it's the connection of poor child with the sick -idiots- adults...!And that children,being CHILDREN, cannot protect themselves..! It's,first of all,parents responsibility..!!! Dennies mother,father and stepfather made this child sick(mental and fisical)..! And broke his life...! Even in the court 'mother' didnot say the truth..,didn,t protect her Son? For me,it was the most painfull moment in the film...'Mother,father,stepfather' made a crime towards Denny all his life,but 'he is gilty'? I like the way is written in each serie,that 'if you need a help' or 'if you know somebody,who needs a help'! May be,this film can safe somebody's life?! May be ,this role is one of the most important in Tom's life?! Thak you,Tom,and all the team for this work...!!!

[@anonymousme3571]

I keep. Forgetting. He's. British.

[@blazingmotor7]

Same

[@steinfeld.]

What the shirt please

[@ultra-uploadsunited8890]

backshots are crazy

[@SamanthaJade-vx3pp]

These comments from annoying incels who can’t comprehend complex storylines are crazy

[@Omar190_DeathBringer]

the fact that he got backshotted

[@Chancel388]

He loves PoundTown

[@SamanthaJade-vx3pp]

Y’all remind me of Jerome in the show calling his character a f@gg0t while asking him for a bj because y’all can’t focus on ANYTHING else. It’s embarrassing for y’all. Such a good storyline and y’all’s small brains can only focus on “bAcKShOtS” friggin p0rn brain rot

[@The_Editor149]

Can everyone please stop making fun and posting controversies about his acting in the film? It'll end up being a problem for him in the future.

[@eriktommyant]

As well he should be.

[@dynaspir1492]

Well

[@charlesmarkm]

In his book screwtape letters, C.S. Lewis introduces a senior demon named screwtape who is teaching is nephew wormwood how to capture souls. He says in order to capture these souls, you must make humans believe three very specific lies. Lie 1: Science has disproved God and you don't need God in society, in your families, in anything. Lie 2: Everyone is basically a good person and you don't need Christ to get to heaven. Lie 3: You have time. You have time to accept Christ's forgiveness. My friends, all three, are lies.......... You don't have time............. Some of you may not even wake up tomorrow. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved. My message to you Tom as well.

[@JdonaiRivera]

ye… I’m pretty sure he was forced to do it by the Hollywood industry

[@nathanballan2581]

Why

[@RamChop451]

​@nathanballan2581 it's a theory that Tom was forced into this role as a "humiliation ritual" Something that's been in the dark in Hollywood, where an actor is apparently made to shoot uncomfortable scenes etc to maintain star status But I'm pretty sure the people saying this are in denial and can't accept that actors, especially nowadays, like to diversify, challenge themselves and create something interesting and artistic I will admit though. Tom doesn't look particularly happy in this interview. From what I've seen of his interviews pre "the crowded room" vs post, it feels like this experience really impacted him on a profound level that none of us can truly grasp. But props to him for tackling such an ambitious project

[@SamanthaJade-vx3pp]

Yeah I’m pretty sure it’s not. It wasn’t some graphic perv movie like y’all are making it out to be. It was about mental illness and barely showed anything bad.

[@sleezeb8ll]

And now he’s waiting a year to act again 💀:(

[@hersche5791]

I think he stopped filming on september 2022. So maybe he will begin in september 2023

[@paulapisanoochoa590]

F

[@rubiksworld2170]

He started his break some time last year so a bit less than a full year left

[@EmpireZzzz]

So what? Let him rest

[@sleezeb8ll]

I only said that because they didn’t mention it in the caption but then I saw they posted one about it

[@FullPowerLoL168]

i can understand now cos that bbc

[@FrmDaGallows7]

Don't even💀💀💀💀

[@EmperorDxD]

Dude it wasn't real sex

[@FullPowerLoL168]

@@EmperorDxD but it was hella gay

[@EmperorDxD]

@@FullPowerLoL168 it was gay scene what is it supposed to be straight you better not watch bale in valves goldmine Or Heath Ledger in broke back mountain

[@FullPowerLoL168]

@@EmperorDxD are you ok?

[@JFHolloway]

The fact that this took a mental toll on the actors is reason enough for me not to watch it. Why people want to see violence and sick things is beyond me

[@RamChop451]

Art

[@SamanthaJade-vx3pp]

Love you decided what was in it without watching it. It’s not even graphic.

[@myraaguirre5307]

He doesnt look ok honestly. He looks tired and people are saying this is his “ritual” for his acceptance into the il****i (sorry yall, im die hard christian and dont like typing or saying those things). Funny the interviewer used the word “ritual”. Idk yall, its odd

[@emilyy1010]

yes i totally agree with you!! Praying for him !

[@ardwynn.7913]

Or maybe it's just because this was one of many interviews he had to do back to back, if you notice this is the third or fourth video with the same hair and background... not to mention that they provably asked him a lot more questions and just showed the most interesting ones, image how tiring that must be

[@getz1983]

He’s Gay. Dam. N idc if it’s a movie. U kiss a dude ur gay

[@zionclarke7271]

finally.... a person and a woman! with sense omg.... you cant be a real striaght man and even play around like this smh

[@SamanthaJade-vx3pp]

When did he kiss a guy? I literally just watched it. Not one kiss. He just stood behind him and moved lmao. “That scene” only lasted about 5 seconds. Y’all are doing way too much

[@sxkiiko]

he’s gay yet he’s in love with a woman, funny how that works 😂 idk at least say bisexual if ur gonna accuse him of something like that lmfaooo

[@sxkiiko]

@@zionclarke7271 by that logic only a real half-man-half-spider should play spider-man, not tom holland 😢 jokes aside, it’s called ACTING. the whole point is to play a part you aren’t like in real life, hope this helps.

[@KevDog140]

My inspiration growing up, Tom Holland gets railed by a big black man 😔 I can’t see him the same way, he’s not my Spider-Man. Maybe Tobey Maguire was right.

[@SamanthaJade-vx3pp]

Would it be better if it were a big white man? Lmao. What if I told you TOM didn’t get “railed” by anyone. Y’all are so slow. And fragile. Embarrassing