It’s official – some of your favourite celebrities have finally lost their blue checkmarks, thanks to the decisions made by Twitter CEO, Elon Musk.
The social media platform announced on 19 April, “Tomorrow, 4/20, we are removing legacy verified checkmarks. To remain verified on Twitter, individuals can sign up for Twitter Blue…”
Tomorrow, 4/20, we are removing legacy verified checkmarks. To remain verified on Twitter, individuals can sign up for Twitter Blue here: https://t.co/gzpCcwOXAX
Organizations can sign up for Verified Organizations here: https://t.co/YtPVNYypHU
— Twitter Verified (@verified) April 19, 2023
Twitter Blue costs $8 per month (R145.23) or $84 per year (1524,89). The upgrade offers subscribers a blue checkmark, prioritised ranking in conversations, half ads, longer tweets, bookmark folders, custom navigation, “Edit Tweet”, “Undo Tweet” and more, explains the Twitter Blue account.
Favourites like Beyonce, Zendaya, Nicki Minaj and Drake have lost their blue ticks. Regarding local celebs, Sizwe Dhlomo, Cassper Nyovest and Minnie Dlamini are among the many to lose the “significant” verification.
Sizwe was not too fazed at the change. When DJ Euphonik commented that he should pay, Sizwe simply said, “Nah bru.”
Nah bru… https://t.co/KVwnmewKEc
— Sizwe Dhlomo (@SizweDhlomo) April 20, 2023
Actress Halle Berry also showed that the change did not bother her.
Me joining you all tomorrow unverified ? https://t.co/ujDlcsV8aL pic.twitter.com/1p6Q0uRuj1
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) April 20, 2023
Rapper Meek Mill tweeted, “We gotta reverse the blue check and making it for people who really need to be verified by a app to feel more important lol y’all folks get control and try to obstruct everything!”
We gotta reverse the blue check and making it for people who really need to be verified by a app to feel more important lol y’all folks get control and try to obstruct everything!
— MeekMill (@MeekMill) April 21, 2023
“So by revoking my blue check mark because I wouldn’t pay some arbitrary fee, someone can just be me and say a bunch of bullshit. Does that mean Twitter and @elonmusk are liable for defamation or identity theft or fraud?” asked actress Alyssa Milano.
So by revoking my blue check mark because I wouldn’t pay some arbitrary fee, someone can just be me and say a bunch of bullshit. Does that mean Twitter and @elonmusk are liable for defamation or identity theft or fraud?
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) April 20, 2023
Even little old Elmo commented on the matter.
Elmo will miss you, little blue check mark. But don’t worry everybody, Elmo is still Elmo! ❤️
— Elmo (@elmo) April 20, 2023
However, stars such as Rihanna and Bonang Matheba still have theirs, an indication that they could have paid for Twitter Blue.
The verified Elon Musk revealed that he would personally pay for some celebrities’ subscription.
I’m paying for a few personally
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 20, 2023
These celebrities include professional basketball player LeBron James, author Stephen King and actor William Shatner.
Adds it’s only for 3 people. https://t.co/XwGMnvxN79
— T(w)itter Daily News (@TitterDaily) April 21, 2023
The surprised Stephen tweeted, “My Twitter account says I’ve subscribed to Twitter Blue. I haven’t. My Twitter account says I’ve given a phone number. I haven’t.”
Elon replied, “You’re welcome namaste.”
You’re welcome namaste ?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 20, 2023
