Another day, another celebrity death hoax… Cher is not dead, and nor are any of the other people on our countdown!
Twitter rumours started off again last night through to this morning alleging that singer Cher had died. RIP Cher was trending and we were confused. Don’t worry though – she is very much alive and well.
It seems that being a celebrity comes with many duties and responsibilities, one of which is having to prove that you’re still alive. Rumours are easy to start on sites like Twitter, and the RIP trend has claimed many victims over the last few years. We take a look at some of the most memorable Twitter death hoaxes.
Jon Bon Jovi
In December 2011 rumours were rife that Jon Bon Jovi has suffered a fatal heart attack. Fans left tributes and #RIPBONJOVI trended all over Twitter. The singer cleared up rumours by posting a photo of him with a Christmas tree, holding a sign sating ‘Heaven looks a lot like New Jersey, Dec 19th 2011, 6:00.’
Paris Hilton
While she was doing time in 2007 the internet was rife with rumours that Paris Hilton had died. Some suggested she had been stabbed by a fellow inmate, which others claimed she’d commited suicide. None were right, and Hilton was actually serving time away from other prisoners due to a medical condition.
Jim Carey
According to Twitter, he died on March 2 ’11 following a snowboarding accident. Thousands of twitter users spread the rumour, which was, of course completely untrue.
Sean Kingston
When Sean Kingston was injured in a Jet Ski accident, reports quickly surfaced that the accident was fatal. Twitter users continued to spread the #RIPSeanKingston trend, even after reports that his condition has stabalised.
Jackie Chan
Back in 2011, a fake story that Jackie Chan had suffered a fatal heart attack quickly gained momentum across social networking sites. #RIPJackiechan trended on twitter, and the hoax crossed over to Facebook and the R.I.P. Jackie Chan group quickly gained over 82,000 likes!
Mick Jagger
Last Febuary it was Mr Mick Jaggger who was supposedly dead. We’ve searched high and low but can’t find any supposed cause of death, or anyone to blame for this one, and rumours were quickly put out by Stones fans: “’RIP Mick Jagger? Mick Jagger is immortal. Idiots.’ That’s told us!
Hugh Hefner
85-year-old ladies man, Hugh Hefner caused us all to cringe last year, when, following his alleged death he took to Twitter to confirm that he was very much alive. He said, “The rumors of my death are, as Mark Twain observed in a similar situation, greatly exaggerated. I’m very much alive and kicking.” This was followed by “I’m lying in bed next to Shera Bechard with a big smile on my face, reading tweets about my unexpected demise.” Bechard was the dressing gown wearers 24 year old girlfriend * shudder *.
Kanye West
Kanye West is no stranger to the world of a faked death, he’s escaped Twitters very own Grim Reaper on several occasions. Following his infamous ‘Beyonce had the best video of all time’ performace at the 2010 VMA’s, a random twitter account reported that Kanye had died in car crash. #RIPKanyeWest quickly became the top trend on twitter, as well as a top google search. His then girlfriend Amber Rose took to Twitter to dispel the roumor, and criticize the internet for being fickle and soulless.
Lindsay Lohan
According to Internet rumours in 2010, Lindsay Lohan died from an overdose, confirmed by a fake Kim Kardashian Twitter account. Her upcoming jail time made this easy for many to believe, but fortunately it was just a hoax, and the Mean Girls actress did her time and is still with us!
