Willem Dafoe has sent social media into a frenzy after a behind-the-scenes TikTok showed him in a black sleeveless dress, green slippers and a chunky necklace. Posted on Saturday, 3 August by user ZoëBLEU, the clip was filmed during rehearsals for the 2023 film Gonzo Girl but never made the final cut. In the movie, Dafoe plays Walker Reade, a gonzo journalist inspired by Hunter S. Thompson, yet there is no scene of his character in a dress – suggesting the moment was a playful, off-camera tease.
Fans have been divided over the unexpected look. Some were shocked to see the Spider-Man villain swap his Green Goblin armour for something far softer, while others applauded his boldness and artistic range. On TikTok and Reddit, reactions ranged from amused disbelief to praise for breaking gender norms, with many hailing him as a fearless performer unafraid to push boundaries.
@zoebleutiktoktiktok One of my highlights of my life I think was getting Willem into this slip dress for Gonzo Girl #gonzogirlfilm #willemdafoe ♬ original sound - ZoëBLEU
Man that ain’t willem that’s goblin https://t.co/MhpdKlpMgB
— FeaR Moho (@FeaRMoho) August 4, 2025
I mean...it's Willem DaFoe. Are we REALLY that surprised?
— I just wanna game all day 🎮☘️ (@IrishGamer2590) August 4, 2025
Willem Dafoe? More like "Womanly Dafoe".
— The Lord Otter (@The_Lord_Otter) August 4, 2025
I'll see myself out now... https://t.co/v93PMwqzPY
Huge Willem Dafoe fan and I am completely unsurprised. Dude has always had what you could describe as Monty Python energy
— Pengu REBORN (@PenguReborn) August 4, 2025
Respectfully disagree. He's just doing that for laughs. He played many cross dressing roles in his career. It's like saying Ryan Reynolds getting pegged in Deadpool is humiliation ritual or crossdressing Liam Neeson in naked gun and Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire. Lol pic.twitter.com/2iwdsjNg02
— Norman Readdis (@NReaddis) August 3, 2025
this is just Willem Dafoe shit this is like an average tuesday you’re not a real fan if you don’t know that https://t.co/UfjlvyxW0p
— Jedder (@TheJedders) August 4, 2025
Its Willem Dafoe, guy is a creatively nuts. Whats confusing? People do stuff like this all the time for laughs. Has he said “call me caroline defoe, im actually a woman”? No.
— James Dougan (@Jimislicedougan) August 4, 2025
Ive met Willem Dafoe he's one of the nicest and most down to earth people I've ever met. Stayed behind after filming 10 hour days to sign autographs and chat to fans and their loved ones on their mobiles for two hours after every set day.
— Lee (@Peaked1nterest) August 4, 2025
If he wants to wear a dress thats his…
Willem Dafoe really said "housewife chic" is the new superhero look. #PublicAI
— Marcos (@MarcosPaulon) August 4, 2025
The viral clip has ignited wider discussion on celebrity identity and performance art, with many praising Dafoe's fearless embrace of gender fluidity and artistic freedom. It's a striking reminder of his dynamic career and his talent for defying expectations, keeping audiences guessing both on and off screen.
