Culture 3 min read By Lauren Baxter
Tom Cruise Revives 'Risky Business' Dance Moves on 'Jennifer Hudson Show' Spirit Tunnel
Tom Cruise brought back his iconic 'Risky Business' slide and Ray-Ban sunglasses during a spirited walk down 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' Spirit Tunnel, part of the press tour for his upcoming film 'Digger' directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu.
Tom Cruise slipped back into his iconic Risky Business persona during a lively appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, where he danced through the show's Spirit Tunnel. The actor donned the same style of black Ray-Ban sunglasses he made famous in the 1983 film and busted out the signature slide across the floor, delighting the studio audience and fans online.
The moment came as part of Cruise's press tour for his upcoming film Digger, directed by two-time Academy Award winner Alejandro González Iñárritu. The talk show stop marks the latest in a series of high-profile appearances as Cruise promotes the project, which reunites him with a celebrated filmmaker known for intense, character-driven dramas.
Cruise's Risky Business tribute was a nostalgic nod to one of his earliest breakout roles. In the 1983 comedy, he played Joel Goodsen, a Chicago teenager who turns his parents' absence into a wild night of rebellion, including a memorable dance sequence in a button-down shirt and underwear. The image of Cruise sliding across the floor in sunglasses became a defining pop culture moment of the 1980s and helped launch him toward superstardom.
The Spirit Tunnel has become a signature segment of The Jennifer Hudson Show, where guests walk a path lined with cheering audience members and often show off their personalities. Cruise's decision to lean into the playful tradition fits his long history of engaging fan-friendly moments during promotional tours, from motorcycle stunts to surprise screenings.
His appearance on the show also highlights the ongoing promotional push for Digger, which has been generating buzz since its announcement. Iñárritu, known for films like Birdman and The Revenant, brings a distinct artistic vision that contrasts with Cruise's blockbuster action fare, making the collaboration one of the more intriguing pairings in recent Hollywood.
While details about Digger's plot remain under wraps, the film is expected to showcase Cruise in a dramatic role that could mark a departure from his recent Mission: Impossible outings. The actor has been steadily balancing franchise work with more auteur-driven projects, and his partnership with Iñárritu signals a continued interest in challenging material.
The Jennifer Hudson Show moment quickly circulated on social media, with fans praising Cruise for his energy and willingness to revisit his past. The clip of him sliding in sunglasses drew comparisons to the original film and sparked renewed interest in both Risky Business and his upcoming release.
Cruise's press tour for Digger is expected to continue with additional appearances in the coming weeks. The film's release date has not been officially confirmed, but the steady stream of promotional activity suggests it will arrive in theaters in the near future.
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