named #Kategate.
As the number of days that Kate, Princess of Wales has not been seen in public increases, the rumors surrounding her absence have grown more outlandish. Duchess Kate's condition is worse than Kensington Palace has publicly disclosed. Kate and William are getting divorced. Kate has left the royal family.
And there's an even bigger problem. The Princess of Wales has passed away. Not only that, but some have decided that she has been replaced by a doppelganger, according to a viral but unsubstantiated post.
These false stories place Kate in the pantheon of people who have been the subject of death hoaxes and conspiracy theories.
After reading his obituary in a newspaper in 1897, American writer Mark Twain famously said, “The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer The author lived another 13 years, dying of a heart attack in 1910, leaving behind one of the most enduring quotes in history.
Here are 11 other stars who have been the subject of hoaxes, conspiracies, and temporary death.
paul mccartney
One of the most famous and enduring celebrity death conspiracies is that the “real” Paul McCartney died in a car accident in 1966, at the height of Beatlemania, and was replaced by a lookalike.
The theory began in 1969 when a caller to Michigan's WKNR radio station told listeners that McCartney had died three years earlier and that the band's record company, fearing mass hysteria and loss of income, had replaced McCartney. It all started when he announced that he had brought in a new member, Billy Sears.
Over the years, fans have discovered countless pieces of “evidence” regarding McCartney's death. Among them is the Hindu god Shiva “The Destroyer” pointing at him. Sergeant Pepper album cover.
they again, abbey road The cover of this album is called “Funeral Parade'' because “Paul'' is the only one not wearing shoes and is unable to keep pace with John, Ringo, and George.
Regarding this theory, McCartney (even if it's really him) says the following: But if I die, I'll be the last to know. ”
sean connery
The Scottish actor passed away in 2020 at the age of 90, but had been the subject of death rumors for years.
The Oscar winner is David Letterman's Late Show He told the host in 1993: “I came here to quell rumors about my death.”
Mr. Connelly revealed that the death of his friend, British racing driver James Hunt, was mistakenly referred to as James Bond in the press, but the news was also shared in Japan with Texas Governor John Connally. His death was reported at the same time, causing confusion.
“John Connery is like Sean Connery in Japan,” the actor said. He further added: [the story] I went to France and Spain. ”
tupac shakur
The rapper was pronounced dead on September 13, 1996 at the age of 25, but conspiracies have swirled about him ever since, especially that he was still alive.
The theory is that Tupac faked his death and that the body found looked identical. He is said to be under government protection, so the CIA refuted this claim by posting on X (formerly Twitter): “No, we don't know where Tupac is.” He then moved to Cuba.
2020 documentary 2Pac: The Great Escape from UMC He reignited the conspiracy by claiming that Tupac was hiding in New Mexico.
tom cruise
Back in May 2010, Mission Impossible The star was the subject of rumors that he had died as a victim in New Zealand, but that's not true! – Plumbing accident.
The story quickly spread around the world, and the actor poked fun at the rumor, saying: MTV News: When asked in a phone interview if he was still alive, he replied, “I'm a hologram.” Added: “Yes, you can send messages. [that I am still alive]”
Russell Crowe
The New Zealand Oscar winner was mistakenly declared dead after an apparent fall from an Austrian mountain in 2010. Gladiator actor's Wikipedia The page was briefly updated to include the news, but the news turned out to be false.
Fortunately, Crowe had a sense of humor about this hoax, posting to X: I don't know how it got there, but the media is never wrong. Goodbye. ”
Hilary Duff
Like Cruise, the actress and singer is believed to have died in New Zealand.
In August 2011, rumors circulated that Duff had died while visiting the Kauri Cliffs in Matauri Bay. Orlando Bloom, Jeff Goldblum, Natalie Portman, Dwayne Johnson, Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Tom Hanks are all reported to have fallen to their deaths from this cliff. at some point in their life.
Duff was actually in Los Angeles at the time.
shale
Cher, a Grammy and Oscar winner, took to social media to mourn her death in 2013, when a hashtag about the death of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher caused chaos.
hashtag #NowThatcherDead ('Thatcher is dead') was misread as 'Now that Cher is dead', and tributes to the star poured in.
Jackie Chan
Mr Chan has been falsely declared “no longer alive” on numerous occasions, most famously in 2013 when he was declared “dead” twice.
rear #JackieChanRest in Peace The trend started with X The Chinese movie star released a statement saying: “Everyone called me today to congratulate me on the rumored engagement. Afterwards, everyone called me to see if I was alive.”
Macaulay Culkin
of home alone Starr died in November 2014. MSNBC.Website (Not to be confused with US news sites) MSNBC), writes: “Sources say Macaulay Culkin, best known for his role as Kevin McCallister in the film, home alone and a sequel Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, was found dead at the age of 34. ”
The story quickly spread, with Culkin telling Jimmy Fallon: tonight show 2018, “I always die…now I'm just a ghost.”
Avril Lavigne
When stories about her being a doppelganger resurfaced online in July 2022, the Canadian singer was forced to prove that she was not only alive, but also the real Lavigne.
Rumors have been circulating for years that Lavigne was actually a girl named Melissa, and that he had replaced her. skater boy After his death in 2003, he continued to work as a singer.
The conspiracy dates back to a blog post from Brazil in 2011 titled: Avril Esta Morta (Avril is dead). Lavigne wrote on social media, “All the comments on my Instagram… are you the real Avril?”
lil tay
In August, Canadian teenage rapper Lil Tay (real name Claire Eileen Chi Hope) posted a message on his Instagram announcing the death of his girlfriend and brother in a “sudden and tragic death.” Displayed and killed.
The internet went wild for 24 hours as news sites tried to verify the article. TMZ She and her brother were alive and well, the day after Instagram was hacked.
Her father and brother were later accused of starting the rumors for publicity.
Updated: March 19, 2024, 4:52 AM
