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When Tom Cruise and Michael B. Jordan stepped out together for the “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” premiere at Cannes earlier this week, keen‑eyed netizens noticed something curious: both stars looked a little taller than usual. Cruise, who is officially listed at 5-foot-7, appeared almost on par with Jordan’s 6-foot frame, subtly reigniting fascination with height‑boosting — specifically men’s, and the quiet evolution it’s undergone in recent years.
On Thursday at the London premiere, Jordan posed on the red carpet in a Louis Vuitton suit with footwear that featured a modern chunky design, with a textured black leather upper and thick lug soles. Cruise wore a black suit with lace-up shoes.
Michael B. Jordan and Tom Cruise attend the Global Premiere Red Carpet in support of “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” at Leicester Square on May 15, 2025, in London.
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Par
On Wednesday at the Cannes Film Festival premiere, Cruise wore a traditional tuxedo with patent leather shoes that had a slightly higher heel and arch compared to standard men’s dress footwear.
Hight-boosting footwear has a long history. In 16th‑century Venice, Italy, aristocratic women wore chopines — platform mules that sometimes soared more than 20 inches high — to show off rich fabrics and signal social rank. By the 17th century, European nobility embraced heeled boots, equal parts fashion statement and horseback utility. The modern elevator shoe took off in 1972, when Italian artisan Mario Bertulli introduced a discreet, hidden-sole design that added nearly 4 inches in height. It caught on with disco‑era dancers and performers looking for lift without flash.
Tom Cruise at the “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” Premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival held at Palais des Festivals on May 14, 2025 in Cannes, France.
Earl Gibson III/Deadline
Today’s elevator shoes are more refined than their ‘70s predecessors. GuidoMaggi, known for hand‑stitched Italian leathers and custom fits, markets its line as both elegant and functional.
Masaltos, another mainstay in the space, backs its shoes with lifetime guarantees and produces everything from formal dress shoes to minimalist sneakers. These brands have seen growing interest from men who want a subtle boost.
Still, podiatrists advise moderation. Internal lifts can help with posture and take pressure off the Achilles tendon, but too much height — or a poor fit — can throw off balance and put strain on the forefoot.
Cruise’s footwear has gone viral before. At the 2022 “Top Gun: Maverick” U.K. premiere, he stood nearly eye-to-eye with 5-foot-9 Kate Middleton, then Duchess of Cambridge, who was in heels.