Tom Holland has made another surprising confession about his past drinking habits.
During a recent podcast appearance, the actor recalled emptying a hotel minibar the night before a screen test with Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr.
Since becoming sober, Holland has also ventured into the beverage industry by launching Bero, a premium non-alcoholic beer brand. The business was inspired by his desire to continue enjoying the social experience and taste of beer without consuming alcohol.
Tom Holland might be sober these days, but some of the stories from his drinking years show just how far things had spiraled before he decided to confront his alcohol use.
Speaking on the “Rich Roll Podcast,” the actor recalled a memorable drinking incident that took place before one of the most important moments of his career.
“When I did my first screen test with Downey, the night before I polished off the minibar, and Marvel found out about that,” Holland said.
Reflecting on how the incident came to light, he added: “I told Kevin [Marvel Studios’ president] — did I tell Kevin, or did he tell me? But whenever it came up in conversation, he was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know about that. We asked the hotel.”
The revelation left Holland stunned at the time.
“And I was like, ‘Oh sh-t,’” he recalled, before adding, “I still got the job though.”
Fans React To Holland’s Drinking Confession
Online, Holland’s revelation shocked many fans, with some expressing disbelief that the actor had once struggled so heavily with alcohol.
“So wild that Holland was ever that bad. Hard to picture it,” a fan said, while another echoed, “Tom Holland??”
Some fans also praised the actor for overcoming his addiction rather than allowing it to continue as his fame grew.
“He’s been so open about his sobriety journey lately. The fact that he was dealing with that intense pressure at such a young age and managed to turn his life around completely is incredibly inspiring,” one fan said.
“His nonalcoholic beer company BERO makes more sense now,” another wrote.
Tom Holland Opens Up About His Battle With Alcohol
Earlier this month, Holland spoke extensively about his struggles with alcohol in an interview with GQ, revealing that at the height of his addiction, he “could sit at home in my hotel room and finish a minibar and go to work the next day.”
The actor explained that his experience with addiction did not fit the stereotypical image often associated with substance abuse in Hollywood. However, it still affected him in many of the same ways addiction affects countless others.
“It was affecting my professional life. It was affecting my personal life and my health,” the actor shared in a podcast appearance. “So, I decided to pack it in. And I got through that first year, which I think was the toughest challenge that I’ve ever been on.”
Holland’s Sobriety Inspired His Beer Brand
Quitting alcohol did not completely eliminate Holland’s occasional craving for beer. Instead, that very feeling inspired him to launch his own non-alcoholic beer brand, Bero.
“I noticed there were limited options for people like me that were looking for something that would scratch that itch, that would help you go to the bar and be a part of the social experience but not feel like the only person with a lemonade,” the actor said of the decision in an interview.
Bero launched in 2024 with a range of flavors designed to cater to different consumer preferences.
Among its notable offerings are a pilsner, a wheat beer, a hazy IPA, and a West Coast-style IPA. Despite their distinct flavor profiles, all of the beverages contain less than 0.5% ABV.
Zendaya Supported Tom Holland’s Non-Alcoholic Beer Brand
Holland had Zendaya’s support when launching the brand, although the pair were only dating at the time.
Her support appeared to stem more from her belief in Holland and his sobriety journey than any affection for the beverage itself.
“Z has never drunk. She’s never been a drinker… which means she never found the taste for beer,” Holland revealed.
“She’s incredibly proud of Bero, it’s just that there is a missing link because she doesn’t enjoy the stuff that I’m trying to sell,” he added.
