Why Sunset Boulevard's Tom Francis Didn't Prep for His Underwear Scene

Tom Francis hasn’t given much thought to how exposed he is during the closing scene of Broadway’s Sunset Boulevard — despite striping down to his underwear for audiences every night.

Francis, 25, exclusively told Us Weekly on Sunday, October 20, that he didn’t “really” prep for the nearly nude scene. “I was just like, ‘It’s going to happen,’” he recalled after finishing opening night on Broadway.

“I try and have a nice life. I go to the gym a lot, I’ve got a personal trainer and stuff,” Francis explained, confessing, “I still live my life.”

The actor added that he is content with his physique, which theatergoers get to see on full display at the end of the show. “I’m just like, ‘This is my body. I’m proud of it,’” Francis told Us.

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Francis plays Joe Gillis, an aspiring screenwriter, in Jamie Lloyd’s production of Sunset Boulevard, which debuted on the West End in London last fall. The revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical opened on Broadway Sunday with shows running through July 2025. (The musical was initially adapted from Billy Wilder’s 1950 film by the same name.)

In the production, movie star Norma Desmond (Nicole Scherzinger) hires Joe (Francis) to plan her comeback to the big screen. Their relationship soon becomes “dangerous and captivating” leading to “disaster” once Norma learns of Joe’s relationship with young writer Betty Schaefer (Grace Hodgett Young), according to the synopsis.

The musical culminates with Norma wearing a black nightgown covered in blood — following a manic series of events — while Joe’s finale scene showed him in just a pair of black boxer briefs.

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While the ending will leave the audience stunned, Francis’ rendition of “Sunset Boulevard” is the talk of the town. During the show, the actor goes outside into the street and performs live with a crowd of people surrounding him.

“The security are dense. It’s pretty hard to get close to us,” Francis told Us, noting he’s never been interrupted mid-song by a fan. “It is protected. We’ve got a bubble around us.”

Francis’ dedication to the role has already earned critical acclaim. In April, he won Best Actor in a Musical at the Olivier Awards in England.

“Can’t quite put into words my emotions from last night,” Francis gushed via Instagram after his win. “Was a real joy being in a room with so many incredible people. What a beautiful industry.”

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Scherzinger, 46, also won an Olivier award for her portrayal of Norma. “It wasn’t my dream role, but now it is,” the singer exclusively told Us on Sunday, noting she hadn’t imagined herself in the role when she was cast.

Now, Scherzinger couldn’t be more grateful for the experience. “I thank God for this role, because it’s changed my life, and I honestly feel like it was written for me,” she explained. “I feel like it was meant for me. And so, that’s why everybody should keep an open mind no matter what you do in life, because you never know where your answered prayers and dreams are going to come from.”

Sunset Boulevard is now being performed at Broadway’s St. James Theatre in New York City.

With reporting by Lexi Carson