Jacob Batalon’s CEO Moment Stuns Tom Holland During ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Press Tour
It’s a delightful spectacle to witness one of the world’s biggest movie stars genuinely puzzled by a meme involving his co-star. As the promotional campaign for ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ ramps up ahead of its July 31 release, the cast is making the rounds at red carpets, fan events, and press junkets, showcasing the kind of effortless chemistry that comes from years of collaboration.
With Peter Parker and Ned Leeds returning, Tom Holland and Jacob Batalon are back, and fans are going wild.
For those unfamiliar, Jacob Batalon has unofficially held the title of ‘CEO of Sex’ for several years, a meme that originated in 2019 when a photo of him in a grey suit from the ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ premiere went viral on platforms like Reddit and Instagram.
The image, often paired with humorous captions, gained traction in meme communities, with one post in August 2019 racking up over 44,200 likes in just two weeks. What started as a piece of absurdist humor has evolved into one of the more enduring celebrity memes, establishing Batalon as an unexpected icon in online culture.
Recently, Tom Holland encountered the meme firsthand. A video shared by DiscussingFilm on June 25 shows fans chanting the title at Batalon during a promotional event for ‘Brand New Day.’ Holland’s bewildered reaction was captured on camera as he asked, “What is this CEO thing?” followed by the logical question, “CEO of sex??”
What makes this moment resonate is Batalon’s embrace of the nickname. During a promotional junket for his film ‘Novocaine’, he discussed the meme in an interview, expressing that it was “an honor” and noting that people often seek his advice on relationships, adding that while it seemed “ironic” at first, he wasn’t about to reject it.
His fiancée is equally intrigued by the title, showcasing the good-natured self-awareness that contributes to the meme’s longevity. Batalon’s willingness to embrace the joke has kept it alive and entertaining.
Part of the meme’s appeal lies in Batalon’s relatable persona, representing an everyman quality that is often overlooked in superhero films. His character, Ned Leeds, has consistently served as the emotional core of the Holland trilogy, reminding audiences that extraordinary situations are best navigated with loyal friends. The meme has taken that essence and transformed it into something absurd yet joyful, which the internet continues to celebrate.
‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, takes place four years after the events of ‘No Way Home’, with Peter living alone in a New York that has forgotten him, having voluntarily erased himself from the lives of those around him. Batalon’s Ned is set to return alongside Zendaya’s MJ, although details on how the film reintroduces characters who no longer remember Peter Parker remain closely guarded.
The film’s first trailer shattered records, becoming the most-viewed trailer ever with 718.6 million views in just 24 hours, surpassing the previous record held by ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’, and crossing 1.1 billion views within four days. The excitement surrounding the film is immense, and moments like Holland’s confused reaction only add to the warm, meme-ready vibe that the cast brings to every appearance.
It’s fitting that a franchise built on the friendship between Peter and Ned now sees its stars generating viral moments just by being in public together. Holland’s genuine confusion is a delightful surprise, while Batalon’s calm acceptance of his title is even more endearing. Share your thoughts in the comments about Tom Holland’s priceless reaction to the ‘CEO of Sex’ meme.
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