Will Smith Look-Alike’s Popularity, Earnings Doubled After Chris Rock Slap at Oscars

Will Smith's look-alike and impersonator, Shad Ellis, has been enjoying his growing popularity - and increasing pay - while the actor started losing everything he has after slapping Chris Rock.

Although a month has already passed since Smith slapped Rock on the stage of the 2022 Oscars, the actor's look-alike still feels the surge in popularity and gigs. The professional UK-based impersonator, Shad Ellis, recently revealed that his income already doubled following the incident.

In a new interview with Jam Press (through New York Post), the 43-year-old Will Smith look-alike revealed that more people got interested in him that even strangers usually stops him on the street to talk about the Oscars blunder.

"I get comments about it daily. I had a guy last week stop me to say how much I look like Will Smith. We spoke for a bit, and he ended the conversation by jokingly saying, 'Don't slap me,'" he said.

Ellis did not disclose how much exactly he has already raked since the slap happened, but he reportedly charges $750 per gig. But the news outlet assumed that he has been earning more than what he made in his 20s when he was able to buy his first house and nice cars.

But aside from the ballooning amount in his bank account, the comedian reportedly earned attention from people who are eager to ask him about the slap.

Shad Ellis Reflects on Will Smith, Chris Rock's Slap

Instead of siding with one party, Ellis reportedly sees both sides of the argument.

"I think we all as humans are capable of a flashpoint triggered by a raw emotion or feeling, and regardless of the situation, once you see red, everything around you becomes blurred. I strongly disagree - he should [not] have slapped him, but how many of us do an action we immediately regret after doing it, driven by being caught in your feelings or the moment," he explained.

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Ellis is yet to meet Smith in person, but he reportedly had a chance earlier this year. The impersonator revealed that he was tapped to be Smith's body double on a project.

While the filming already started, he learned that the actor had to reschedule his part in the shoot.

Ellis is enjoying his fame after initially fearing that he might lose his stand-in work because of Smith. Fortunately, he experienced the opposite and received thousands of offers to impersonate the slap.

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