Will Smith Has Outdone Chris Rock In Followers Gained Since Oscars Slap
When he stormed onto the stage midway through the Oscars ceremony and slapped Chris Rock across the face, many thought that might be it for Will Smith.
The outburst saw him banned from the Academy - after taking home the award for best actor - and forced to make a public apology.
But it would seem that it actually did wonders for the Hollywood legend's popularity - in the online world at least, and that's what really counts.
According to Social Blade, which tracks how many followers celebs gain or lose, the Independence Day star has absolutely smashed it in the aftermath of his attack on Rock.
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Since the ceremony on 28 March, Smith, 53, has gained 2.2 million followers on Instagram.
Rock, on the other hand, has only managed to attract 760,000 new followers to his page during the same period.
A double ouch for the comedian. Well, not really…
It's not all been bad news for the 57-year-old. The day after the Oscars, ticket sales for his new tour went through the roof.
In a post to Twitter at the time, ticket-selling site TickPick said: "We sold more tickets to see Chris Rock overnight than we did in the past month combined."
So he's doing alright, I'd say.
But the good news just doesn't stop coming for the Fresh Prince, with reports that yet another Bad Boys movie is in the works.
Speaking to Deadline recently, Sony chairman Tom Rothman confirmed that the fourth instalment could still go ahead despite the 'unfortunate' incident at the Oscars.
"That movie’s been in development and still is," Rothman told the outlet. "There weren’t any brakes to pump because the car wasn’t moving.
"That was a very unfortunate thing that happened, and I don’t think it’s really my place to comment, except to say that I’ve known Will Smith for many years, and I know him to be a good person.
"That was an example of a very good person having a very bad moment, in front of the world. I believe his apology and regret is genuine, and I believe in forgiveness and redemption."
Smith's co-star from the hit franchise, Martin Lawrence, also chipped in, assuring fans that he thinks there's more to come.
"We got one more at least," Lawrence said in an interview with Ebony.
And if that wasn't enough, Smith is also rumoured to be reprising another of his iconic characters.
According to reports, Smith's production company, Westbrook, is working on a sequel to 2007 sci-fi horror I Am Legend, with Michael B Jordan set to join the cast.
So it looks like life is rosy for big Willy.
Topics: Will Smith, TV and Film
Dominic Smithers