Prominent celebrities, including Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, and K-pop supergroup BLACKPINK, have lost their coveted blue checkmarks on Twitter.
Elon Musk’s crusade to remove the blue checkmarks from legacy verified accounts has gone into overdrive, with April 20 being the date set for the removal.
This announcement by Musk earlier this month had left many uncertain if the social media platform would actually follow through, but now the reckoning has arrived.
For years, Twitter’s blue checks were a symbol of distinction, serving as the official verification system for prominent public figures, setting them apart from regular users.
However, since Elon Musk acquired Twitter for a staggering $44 billion, he has decided to take a different approach. He now charges users $8 per month for subscriptions that come with blue checkmarks, while getting rid of the legacy checkmarks.
This policy by Musk has been met with backlash from many celebrities, including LeBron James, who initially stated that he would not pay for a blue checkmark, but later changed his stance. There is a growing feeling in Hollywood and across the country that this Twitter Blue defection could trigger a movement among the unverified, akin to a “cool-kids” club.
As news of the lost blue checkmarks spread, fans and followers of these celebrities took to social media to express their shock and disappointment.
Many expressed their frustration with Musk’s policy and the impact it has had on their favorite celebrities.
One fan tweeted, “I can’t believe Beyonce lost her blue checkmark on Twitter. This is so unfair!” Another wrote, “Lady Gaga without a blue checkmark just doesn’t feel right. Elon Musk, what are you doing?”
Celebrities themselves also reacted to losing their verified status on Twitter. Kim Kardashian tweeted, “Really disappointed to see my blue checkmark gone. I’ve been on this platform for years and suddenly I’m just like any other user? Not cool, Elon.”
BLACKPINK, the K-pop sensation, also expressed their disappointment, stating, “Our blue checkmark was a symbol of our hard work and success. It’s disheartening to see it gone.”
LeBron James, who had initially opposed Musk’s policy, tweeted, “Well, looks like I caved in and got the subscription for the blue checkmark. I can’t afford to lose that status on Twitter, apparently.”
This sparked a debate among his followers, with some supporting his decision while others criticized him for giving in to Musk’s policy.
Beyond the world of celebrity, there is a growing concern among Twitter users who do not have blue checkmarks.
Many feel that this policy is creating a division between verified and unverified users, with the former being seen as more important or legitimate. Some users are considering boycotting the subscription service in protest, while others are calling for Twitter to reconsider its approach to verification.
To sum up, the recent removal of blue checkmarks from legacy verified accounts on Twitter, including those of prominent celebrities, has sparked controversy and backlash.
Elon Musk’s policy of charging for blue checkmarks and getting rid of the legacy system has been met with frustration and disappointment from users and celebrities alike. The impact of this policy on the dynamics of Twitter and the perception of verified users versus unverified users remains to be seen, but it has certainly triggered a heated discussion and debate on social media platforms.
