Tom Hiddleston, the British actor celebrated for his diverse roles from Shakespearean stages in Coriolanus to the mischievous Loki in Marvel’s Avengers, and the suave night manager in The Night Manager, is a name on everyone’s lips. Whispers even suggest he might be in line for the coveted James Bond role. At 35, Hiddleston’s versatility is undeniable, solidifying his path to global recognition. Yet, amidst these prestigious roles, he’s also become known for something far less expected: his dance moves. Perhaps, even more than his acting accolades, Tom Hiddleston is recognized by many as a dancer, albeit sometimes against his will.
Hiddleston isn’t just any dancer; he’s genuinely skilled and enjoys it. This was spectacularly showcased at a promotional event in Korea in 2013. His exuberant dancing, which even involved playfully knocking over a chair, ignited a frenzy of adoration. Since then, the actor has been repeatedly asked to dance in public, almost on demand, met with enthusiastic praise each time he performs. He’s showcased his “snake hips” on MTV, grooved Gangnam Style, and even danced alongside a K-pop girl group on SNL Korea. The internet has immortalized these moments in countless GIFs and montages, with his Korean performance videos racking up over 4 million views. Even on the British talk show Chatty Man, his spontaneous dance elicited a bow of admiration from the host.
This phenomenon surrounding Hiddleston’s dancing is uniquely modern. A few dance steps during a photoshoot for a relatively unknown British magazine can be amplified online, becoming part of extensive fan-made compilations. His fans are captivated even by brief dance snippets. Remember his smooth robot dance with Taylor Swift at the Met Gala? Dark, fleeting Snapchats and Instagram posts of the moment instantly went viral. A week later, his spins at a BAFTA TV awards after-party generated similar buzz. Even a fleeting shimmy in the trailer for High-Rise led Entertainment Weekly to playfully label him “[dancing and dangerous].”
The sheer volume of requests for him to dance in interviews has become so significant that it has spawned listicles like “[12 Tom Hiddleston Quotes About Dancing That Will Inspire You to Move].” When Chris Hemsworth was asked to play a word association game about his Avengers co-stars, his immediate response to “Hiddleston” was, simply, “dancing.” It’s clear that Hiddleston’s dancing talent has become a defining public perception.
As awareness of his dancing prowess grew, so did the media’s expectation for him to perform on cue. This has led to somewhat awkward moments, such as the forced dance-off with Zachary Levi on the Thor 2 red carpet. Despite his Laurence Olivier Award for Cymbeline, Hiddleston sometimes finds himself in situations where his dance moves are more in demand than his acting skills, performing for photographers while reporters like Maria Menounos exclaim, “This is an Extra exclusive!”
Hiddleston is not the first male star to be typecast, in a way, as a dancer. Channing Tatum, with his background as a stripper and his breakthrough role in the dance film Step Up, and later Magic Mike, set a precedent. Paul Rudd has charmed audiences with his dance moves on countless talk shows. These actors are genuinely good dancers, but it’s more than just skill. They embody a blend of coordination and goofiness, sexiness and silliness. They project a carefree, game-for-anything attitude. They are the kind of people who could persuade anyone to join them on the dance floor, making you laugh in the process. Their dance moves are arguably more captivating than any rehearsed red carpet soundbite. The media, recognizing this appeal, has capitalized on it, especially following Tatum’s explosive rise to fame.
While it’s understandable why the media emphasizes this aspect of his persona, it does create a somewhat strained scenario. Reporters eagerly seek to extract viral moments from Hiddleston’s dance moves, and talented, charismatic male celebrities become almost obligated to dance on the publicity circuit. It raises the question: Is it time to liberate these “dancing monkeys,” allowing them to be recognized for their full range of talents, rather than just their ability to entertain with their feet? For someone as multifaceted as Tom Hiddleston, whose dance skills are just one facet of his artistic personality, perhaps it’s time to appreciate the whole artist, and not just the dancing parts.
