Font Size: Decrease Increase Print Page: Print By Paul Mulvey | January 24, 2008 NEARLY 700,000 Australians have given Corey Worthington a virtual slap, but the infamous Melbourne party boy is to have the last laugh as he embarks on a national tour that could make him rich.
Corey, who has given up his plans to be an apprentice carpenter, has been taken under the wing of manager to the stars Max Markson, to set off on a party tour which could eventually net him $100,000 over the next year.
The wild party the 16-year-old threw early this month at his parents' house while they were away attracted 500 revellers, 30 police, the dog squad, reams of international publicity and sent him on a ride he admits has been "crazy".
He has been condemned by commentators for being an irresponsible and arrogant brat, hailed by others for being a legend.
But Max Markson believes Corey is the most marketable teen in Australia.
He will host and DJ parties in Sydney and Brisbane over the next two months with another in Melbourne on his 17th birthday on March 21. Parties in Adelaide and Perth are also planned.
"He did a great party in the wrong place, we're going to put on a great party in the right place," Mr Markson said.
Corey's defiant attitude after the party spawned a number of websites, one of which invited users to "slap Corey down the street". By early tonight, he had been slapped by 695,000 users.
Mr Markson said Corey had been punished enough and now deserved to make a living.
"I think he's been admonished for his behaviour, with the public reaction and the fact his parents were obviously very angry with him," Mr Markson said.
"His family has taken him back, he's 16 and left school, he's got to work.
"He was thinking about being an apprentice carpenter, but this is a great opportunity for him to make a lot more money.
"I'm hoping to make him in the next year $50,000 to $100,000.
"He's the most famous and popular 16-year-old in Australia at the moment.
"If you want to get to the 13 to 18-year-olds in Australia, he's the top of the tree."
Mr Markson, who said he would take his usual 20 per cent cut from anything Corey makes, said the teen has received offers to make TV commercials, from record companies and invitations from as far as the UK.
Corey told the Nine Network tonight that life as a professional party boy was much better than getting his hands dirty on a building site.
"Working on a building site was pretty hard. Now I've got a manager, life's good," he said.
He said he was throwing a party in Melbourne on Sunday, admitting his ride since the infamous party at his parents' has been "a bit crazy".
