News of singer Shakira’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the May 2014 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the singer best known for her hits Hips Don't Lie or Whenever, Wherever is alive and well.
UPDATE 26/05/2014 : This story seems to be false. (read more)
Shakira death hoax spreads on Facebook
Rumors of the singer’s alleged demise gained traction on Saturday after a ‘R.I.P. Shakira’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Colombian singer’s passing:
“At about 11 a.m. ET on Saturday (May 24, 2014), our beloved singer Shakira passed away. Shakira was born on February 2, 1977 in Barranquilla. She will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”
Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 37-year-old singer was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.
Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major Colombian network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of a singer of Shakira's stature would be major news across networks.
A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (70%) of respondents think those Shakira death rumors are not funny anymore.
Shakira Death Hoax Dismissed Since Singer Is ‘Alive And Well’
On Sunday (May 25) the singer's reps officially confirmed that Shakira is not dead. “She joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. She's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.
Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved singer. Others say this shows her extreme popularity across the globe.
