Former Bulldogs star Lachlan Lewis emerges as social media sensation
Lachlan Lewis’ rapid rise at Belmore was met with a bizarre exit last season but the former Bulldog has since become a social media star with one of his videos attracting 49 million views.
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The NRL career of former Canterbury halfback Lachlan Lewis might be over but his life as a social media star is just beginning.
Lewis, the nephew of league legend Wally, has gone from a maligned Bulldogs playmaker to a TikTok superstar, attracting 46 million views from a single video on the popular platform.
The 10 second video posted in December of Lewis sharing a touching moment with his baby daughter Halli has gone viral on a number of social media channels.
On top of the 46 million views on TikTok, the video also has over three million views on Instagram after it was shared by an American relationships account that has more than four million followers.
“Even when I’m busy she’s so happy to be with me … stop growing up so quickly Big Hal. #mybabby #daddysgirls #family #bestie,” Lewis wrote on the caption of the Instagram version of the post.
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But the viral video isn't just a one-hit wonder.
Lewis and his partner Stephanie are now TikTok stars, and the couple have more 650,000 followers on the social media platform.
Two other videos on the couple‘s account @lewplustwo reached 11 million views each.
A curated list of the couples ‘favourite’ videos on TikTok have amassed a huge 66 million views.
The couple‘s social media is a chronicle of their life in Brisbane as parents to two young daughters, Pia, 2, and Halli, 1.
They are also expecting their third child, a boy, in the coming weeks.
Since he was let go by the Bulldogs in September in the wake of trying to sell an NRL-sound speaker on eBay, Lewis also has rebranded as a personal trainer, wellness ebook author and photographer on Instagram.
It remains to be seen whether Lewis will attempt to resurrect his professional rugby league career either at home or abroad in England in the Super League.
In the meantime, his new life as an influencer and dad to, soon to be three, young children is keeping Lewis busy.
Lewis made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs in 2018 and had an immediate impact at Canterbury, quickly becoming a fan favourite.
Bulldogs supporters dubbed him the ‘Prince of Belmore’, a nod to his uncle the ‘King’ Wally Lewis.
Riding the wave of new-found popularity, Lewis starred in the NRL’s 2019 season launch campaign alongside the likes of Jason Taumalolo, Damien Cook and Kalyn Ponga.
But as the Bulldogs struggled on the field, so did Lewis’ ability to maintain his place in the Bulldogs’ starting outfit.
After playing nine games in his debut season, Lewis went on to play only 34 matches in the following three years at the club.
Originally published as Former Bulldogs star Lachlan Lewis emerges as social media sensation
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