Will Smith impersonator says popularity — and pay — doubled after Oscars slap

A component-time Will Smith lookalike claims that his reputation has skyrocketed following the notorious Oscars slap.
Jam Press/@willsmithdouble

He’s cashing in on a viral hit — and never in the way in which you suppose.

Knowledgeable Will Smith lookalike from the UK claims that his reputation — and revenue — has almost doubled following the Academy Award-winning actor’s infamous Oscars 2022 slap — with strangers even stopping him on the road to debate the incident.

“I get feedback about it every day,” Shad Ellis, 43, informed Jam Press of getting figuratively smacked into the highlight. “I had a man final week cease me to say how a lot I appear like Will Smith. We spoke for a bit, and he ended the dialog by jokingly saying, ‘Don’t slap me.’ “

The Bedford, England, native — who stresses that he “doesn’t condone violence” — has moonlighted as Smith’s doppelganger for the final 25 years, acting at nightclubs, weddings and company occasions all over the world. The part-time “Recent Prince” imitator regularly uploads clips of his gigs to Instagram and TikTok.

Nevertheless, because the notorious “Hitch” slap — through which Smith, 53, smacked Oscars presenter Chris Rock onstage in retaliation for making a bald joke about his spouse, Jada Pinkett Smith, who has alopecia — Ellis’ companies have by no means been in larger demand.

“I get feedback about it [the slap] every day,” mentioned Shad Ellis, 43.

Jam Press/@willsmithdouble

Ellis didn’t disclose how a lot money he’s been raking in because the slap heard ’around the world — however he fees round $750 per gig. And the impersonator’s presumably gotta be doing OK seeing how his Smith-parroting facet hustle earned him sufficient to “drive good automobiles” and purchase his first home at 21.

Together with the increase to his checking account, Ellis has seen a spike in consideration from people who're all too desirous to ask him in regards to the Finest Smacktor incident.

“After I’m at my day job, individuals all the time ask me about it and level it out to me,” the lookalike described.

Nevertheless, Ellis mentioned he doesn’t thoughts the quips as they’re “all in good humor.”

As for what he thought in regards to the precise slap incident, Ellis mentioned he can see “either side” of the argument.

“I feel all of us as people are able to a flashpoint triggered by a uncooked emotion or feeling, and whatever the state of affairs, when you see pink, every thing round you turns into blurred,” mentioned Ellis. “I strongly disagree — he ought to [not] have slapped him, however how many people do an motion we instantly remorse after doing it, pushed by being caught in your emotions or the second.”

Ellis, in costume as Will Smith (middle), reportedly fees about $750 per look.

Jam Press/@willsmithdouble

Regardless of moonlighting as Smith, Ellis has reportedly by no means met the Oscar winner in individual.

Jam Press/@willsmithdouble

Whereas a close to lifeless ringer for the Oscar winner, Ellis has but to fulfill Smith within the flesh — regardless of having the possibility earlier this 12 months.

“I used to be set to work with him earlier this 12 months as his physique double on a venture, however whereas I used to be there filming, information got here in that he needed to reschedule his half within the shoot,” Ellis claimed. “That was a bit gutting.”

Not each impersonator’s beatdown advantages have been “secondhand.” In January, a “Dangerous”-ass Michael Jackson impersonator turned an internet sensation after epically whooping the butt of a belligerent man for “Beginning Somethin'” in Las Vegas.