Have you ever gazed at a building towering 829.8 meters and imagined sitting at its very top? It's not a thought that would typically cross my mind, but for those who crave intense adrenaline, like Tom Cruise and Will Smith, it's precisely the kind of thrill they seek.
Both celebrities have individually climbed to the peak of the world's tallest structure, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, to take photos perched outside.
While I could have AI generate an image of myself in a similar pose in mere moments, with far less danger, I suppose the risk of losing balance adds to the excitement.
However, once Smith and Cruise's photos surfaced online, the public quickly spotted significant differences between the two actors' experiences.
That is one tall building
Tom Cruise made his ascent in 2011 for a daring stunt in "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol." In his photograph, he appears remarkably at ease, posing as if he's casually seated on a kitchen stool, with what looks like a cold beer by his side, not teetering on the edge of a deadly drop.
He's dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, barefoot, and wearing a relaxed grin while leaning back with one arm casually resting on his leg. Despite the appearance, fact-checking sites have noted that he was likely secured by a harness, even if it's not visible in the image.
Ten years later, Will Smith's photo tells a different tale, with his expression more akin to a grimace than a smile.
Will Smith on top of the Burj Khalifa. (YouTube)
In 2021, Will Smith scaled the Burj Khalifa for a video focused on fitness and weight loss, but his comfort level at the summit was evidently not on par with Cruise's. In contrast to Cruise's laid-back pose, Smith is clearly secured by a harness and positioned among the tower's structural elements for safety.
The photos have sparked a wave of commentary on social media, with users highlighting the stark contrasts. One observer humorously noted: "One is sitting in bare feet and a t-shirt looking as relaxed as possible and the other is draped in harnesses, clinging on for dear life, looking like he's making peace with God." Another added, "I love how Will is all strapped up and hanging on for dear life, but Tom is not only just sitting there, nary a rope in sight, but he’s LEANING."
Clearly, Tom Cruise is made of tougher stuff when it comes to heights!
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