Spider-Man star Tom Holland has revealed the pivotal moment that led him to confront his relationship with alcohol and commit to a sober lifestyle. Now 28, the British actor has officially gone sober and shared the challenges and triumphs of his journey.
Holland opened up about how a seemingly casual poker night with his older brother made him realize the extent of his drinking. Initially planning to stay sober that evening, he surprised his brother by asking to be driven home so he could drink instead.
“It was a bit of an eye-opening moment for me and for him,” Holland admitted. “It’s really helpful when the people closest to you start going, ‘Are you sure?’”
He also reflected on how drinking had become a habit, with Friday nights dedicated to getting drunk and the following days lost to hangovers. “I didn’t have bad experiences,” he said, “but I would drink enough so that I would ruin my next day.”
In January 2022, Holland decided to take a one-month break from alcohol but found it more difficult than anticipated. Realizing the struggle, he chose to quit drinking altogether.
Holland credits his success to a strong sense of determination and the support of loved ones, saying, “I leaned on close ones a lot: family, friends, old colleagues, new colleagues, and even people I didn’t know who were also sober.”
He emphasized his strong-willed nature, adding, “When I decide to do something, I’m really gonna do it.”
This Christmas, Holland spent the holidays with girlfriend Zendaya and her family in the U.S., a shift from his usual celebrations with his own family in the U.K. Reflecting on the experience, he expressed excitement about merging their families for future holiday celebrations.
“What we’d like to start doing is bringing the families together rather than spending it with each family each year,” he shared. “The thought’s there, the idea has been planted.”
Holland also recalled a difficult Christmas spent in isolation after contracting COVID-19 in 2021, just after the Spider-Man: No Way Home premiere. “I spent two weeks essentially in the guest bedroom, by myself. It was a pretty rough Christmas,” he said.
This year, however, marked a happier celebration, as his relationship with Zendaya continues to flourish. The couple, who met on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2016, have become one of Hollywood’s most beloved pairs.