April 30, 2026, 7:39 a.m. ET
LOS ANGELES − It’s hard to imagine a crowded sporting event on a sunny day in Los Angeles where nobody’s drinking. But, at Tom Holland’s padel tournament on April 29, that’s exactly the case.
Holland caught up with USA TODAY ahead of BERO Padel Classic, a star-studded padel tournament hosted by his non-alcoholic beer and lifestyle brand, BERO. At this year’s event, held at Pura Padel, Holland participated with other BERO higher-ups in a friendly tournament of padel, a racquet sport that’s probably best described as a combination of squash and tennis. Zendaya − Holland’s fiancé (or perhaps wife, if her longtime stylist Law Roach is to be believed) − also stopped by to support, in a stunning blue-and-white sundress.
Holland’s connection to BERO is personal. He’s been open about his own journey with sobriety after realizing he had an alcohol problem about four years ago. The “Spider-Man” star, 29, quit alcohol during a dry January challenge in 2022. That dry January turned into a dry February, which turned into a dry March, which turned into a sober lifestyle.
With BERO, Holland doesn’t just want to offer non-alcohol-drinkers another beverage, but he aims to promote heath and wellness more broadly. The spirit of padel, he says, reflects that.
“I’m someone that is really, really into this idea of community, and padel is such a social sport,” Holland says. “You’re very close to your opponents, and you can have a good chat and get to know people on the court. And for me, if we can bring people together and have a good day and celebrate BERO at the same time, it’s kind of a perfect recipe.”
How sobriety changed Tom Holland’s life
Holland has discussed the red flags that led him to question his relationship with alcohol before. On Jay Shetty’s podcast in 2023, he recalled how he used to frequently drink. When he stopped, he found he still craved alcohol regularly. That first dry January, Holland told Shetty, was tougher than he thought it would be − and it ultimately showed him he had an alcohol problem.
Since getting sober, Holland’s life has been a whirlwind. He’s starred in a string of Hollywood releases, inked deals with fashion brands like Prada and Vuori, publicly confirmed his relationship with Zendaya, signed a producing deal with Sony, and launched BERO. Holland and Zendaya are both staring in the upcoming release “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” out this July. For what it’s worth, Holland did not sport a ring − wedding or otherwise − at the event.
Would all these blessings have happened in the same way, had he not quit drinking years ago?
“That’s a really big question,” Holland says. “I’ve been so lucky in the last four years that my career has really blossomed in a really lovely way, and I really love what’s happening and what I have to come in the future. And I don’t know how much of that would’ve come to fruition had I still been drinking.”
Life as a public figure, Holland says, can be stressful. Though many see drinking as a way to relieve stress, for Holland, it only made his stress worse.
“Drinking was something that was ultimately really getting in the way of my professional life,” he says. “Being an actor and living your life on the big stage can be really stressful. And I think that alcohol, for me personally, really compounded that issue. And, since getting rid of the booze and feeling more like myself and waking up clear-headed every day and fresh to start the day, I just feel so much more confident in myself as who I am as a person.”
It’s not just Tom Holland − Gen Z as a whole is drinking less
Holland’s not alone in leaving alcohol behind. As a whole, Gen Z is drinking less than previous generations. Why that is, however, is up for debate.
Some say it’s because Gen Z’s a more health-conscious generation overall. Others, that they’re a more lonely one.
Holland’s not quite sure why so many in his generation are avoiding alcohol. But he thinks the change is, most likely, for the better.
“Alcohol can be an amazing thing, but it can also be an incredibly dangerous thing,” he says. “And I just love seeing that young people are turning away from booze and looking for alternatives. And it creates, I think, a safer environment, a more communal environment.”
Holland doesn’t want to force sobriety on anyone. Nor does he shame those who enjoy alcohol in moderation. But, as a star with a lot of young, superhero fans, he hopes he can set an example that you don’t have to drink to have a fulfilling life.
His choice, he says, has even had a ripple effect on his own social circle.
“All of my friends have really slowed down drinking. I had all of my mates over the other night,” he says. “That used to be, like, a really, really boozy affair. We’d be up till 1 in the morning drinking. We’d be all hungover the next day. And I had like 10 guys over at my house, and I don’t think anyone had a drop of alcohol. … Everyone was really present. There was no waking up the next day feeling groggy. And I just love what it’s done for my life in general.”
