Tom Hiddleston is probably the last person you'd expect to play country music star Hank Williams in a biopic about his life. Hiddleston, after all, is best known for playing Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and his fans the world over adore him for, among other things, his sexy British accent. So, when it was announced that Hiddleston would be playing Williams in I Saw the Light , fans found themselves faced with a tough question: can Tom Hiddleston really sing? Well, it turns out the answer is "yes, yes he can." Despite not having studied singing professionally, Hiddleston is actually a pretty natural singer. In fact, this isn't even the first time fans have been able to hear the actor sing. In fact, I dug up seven videos of Tom Hiddleston singing that will have you swooning.
Natural talent aside, it's true that Hiddleston didn't just wake up one day with the voice of a country icon. Before production began on I Saw The Light, Hiddleston worked tirelessly with Grammy winner Rodney Crowell, who helped him grasp the ins and outs of Williams' music. Crowell taught Hiddleston how to play guitar like Williams, and even how to yodel. "The question, 'Can you yodel?' at the age of 33 was terrifying," Hiddleston admitted in an interview (via Sony Pictures Classics). Needless to say, it required a lot of practice before Hiddleston was ready to record the songs, but when he did, he sang every song himself. "Every note, every line, everything is Tom," writer-director Marc Abraham told Entertainment Weekly. If you're still doubtful, here are some videos of Hiddleston singing that prove he's more than just a British heartthrob.
1. Tom Hiddleston Singing "The Bare Necessities"
I didn't think Hiddleston could get any hotter, and then he decided to sing "The Bare Necessities" from The Jungle Book at a charity event.
2. Tom Hiddleston As Captain Hook In The Pirate Fairy
Hiddleston actually voiced Tom Hook in a direct-to-video Tinker Bell movie. This is real life.
3. Tom Hiddleston Singing "Man In The Mirror"
During a press event in Asia, Hiddleston broke out into song to perform Michael Jackson's "Man In The Mirror." It's his karaoke song. WE ARE NOT WORTHY.
4. Tom Hiddleston Singing "Stand By Me"
Hiddleston did his best "Stand By Me" during a appearance on the German talk show Stars in Cars. James Corden, take note.
5. Tom Hiddleston Singing "Simple Twist Of Fate"
To finish his interview with film critic Peter Travers, Hiddleston sang a bit of his favorite Bob Dylan song. (The singing starts around the six-minute mark.)
6. Tom Hiddleston Singing "Hey, Good Lookin'"
Hiddleston took up his guitar with a full band to perform some Hank Williams tunes at the afterparty of a Nashville screening of I Saw The Light. Don't worry, he performed in character — no British accent here.
7. Tom Hiddleston Singing "Move It On Over"
Before I Saw The Light premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, Hiddleston surprised audiences when he performed as Hank Williams with Crowell at the Wheatland Music Festival in the fall of 2014.
So, to recap, Hiddleston isn't just a British actor with a stunning jawline and piercing stare. He's also a man with a guitar and a lovely singing voice. The love is real, Hiddlestoners.
Images: Sony Pictures Classics
