‘Digger’ Star Tom Cruise Recreates Iconic ‘Risky Business’ Moment on ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’

voice film logo squareArthur S. Poe
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The Spirit Tunnel has become a highlight of daytime TV. On ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’, staff members line a hallway at Warner Bros.’ Studio 1, singing a custom song to welcome each celebrity guest. This unique tradition has turned into a viral sensation, serving as a gauge of a celebrity’s cultural relevance, making Tom Cruise’s Spirit Tunnel moment a highly anticipated event.

This tradition began in the show’s early episodes, initially aimed at energizing Hudson before each taping. Hudson later decided that her guests deserved the same enthusiastic welcome, and it has since become a signature element of the show.

Now in its fifth season, Cruise’s appearance marks his first on the show. A clip that has gone viral on social media captures his playful approach to the moment.

Cruise embraced the moment by showcasing his ‘Risky Business’ dance moves while donning a pair of black Ray-Ban sunglasses as he walked through the tunnel. The hallway was filled with staffers on both sides, and Cruise, dressed in all black, added to the excitement.

The crew also wore black sunglasses and sang a modified version of ‘Old Time Rock & Roll’ in tribute to him. This nod references the iconic 1983 film, where a young Cruise famously slides across the floor in a shirt and underwear while lip-syncing to Bob Seger’s classic.

Fully committed to the moment, Cruise even pulled some staffers into the fun to dance alongside him. Reports indicate that this particular tunnel walk attracted a record number of participants.

The appearance stemmed from a chance encounter. According to Variety, Hudson shared in her Power of Women cover story that she booked Cruise during the World Cup final this summer and asked him to envision what the crew would sing for his tunnel moment.

It turns out Cruise was well-prepared for the occasion. He informed Hudson that he watches the show, and she noted that he agreed to participate so quickly that it left her astonished.

Fans quickly took note of the crowd size. One commenter on the show’s Instagram remarked that the hallway hadn’t been this packed since Michelle Obama’s visit, while another humorously noted that nobody seemed to have missed work that day.

Many viewers viewed Cruise’s booking as a significant milestone for the show. One fan commented that his appearance elevates the entire series. The show teased the clip by suggesting that the internet was not ready for Cruise.

This tunnel walk is part of Cruise’s promotional tour for ‘Digger’, directed by two-time Academy Award winner Alejandro González Iñárritu. He attended the Los Angeles premiere on September 28, and the film is set to hit theaters this Friday.

In ‘Digger’, Cruise portrays Texas oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, whose company faces serious allegations related to an ecological disaster and a potential nuclear conflict. The role required a significant physical transformation, including prosthetics, a fat suit, thinning white hair, and a Southern accent.

Fans won’t have to wait long to see the full interview, which airs Wednesday. New episodes of the show are broadcast weekdays on local syndication networks.

Given the buzz surrounding his visit, Cruise’s appearance may become one of the most memorable entries in the Spirit Tunnel’s history, showcasing how an actor promoting ‘Digger’ is willing to fully engage in a fun moment.

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