Vin Diesel is the first Hollywood type to pass a major milestone on Facebook — accumulating over 100 million followers on the social platform.
The star of the forthcoming “Fast 8” is only the third person to surpass the number, joining singer Shakira and soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo in the exclusive club.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally congratulated the actor on the feat and posted a photo of the two when they first met (Zuckerberg tried on Diesel’s aviators, as no soul is immune to his meathead charm).
Diesel’s most popular post — accounting likes, shares and interactions — was his first time speaking out on the death of “Fast and Furious” franchise co-star Paul Walker. It received 7.7 million likes.
Diesel wrote:
“When I heard, I immediately flew back to California, and went directly from the plane to his mother’s house…I thought they needed my strength, but realized when I got there and broke down before his family, that it was I who needed theirs. His mother hugged me and said I am so sorry… I said sorry? You’re the mother who lost a son?… She said yes, but you lost your other half…”
Other popular posts include exclusive shares of “Fast’ trailers — and a never-to-be-forgotten dance-along Diesel posted to Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse.”
The top countries following Diesel (in order of popularity) are the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia and the Philippines. Fun fact: it would take 1.9 billion gallons of diesel fuel to fill 100 million cars — but it only takes one Vin Diesel to win over the social platform.
Diesel, repped by CAA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners, is currently in production on “Fast 8,” Universal’s latest installment of the franchise that reunites him with Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Dwayne Johnson, Tyrese Gibson and introduces new villain Charlize Theron.
He recently wrapped “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” at Paramount and will lend his voice to the plant-like hero Groot in Marvel’s 2017 “Guardians of the Galaxy II” from Walt Disney.