Following Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover, a number of celebrities have announced they’re leaving the social-media platform.
Last month, Musk bought Twitter for £38 billion, and fired the app’s top team shortly after.
The billionaire also announced that he would be making changes to Twitter, including charging users to keep their verified badges, as well as “forming a content moderation council with widely diverse viewpoints”.
Before these changes come into force, a few public figures have decided to leave Twitter.
Celebrities who are quitting Twitter
Stephen Fry is one of the latest celebrities to ditch the social-media platform, tweeting a photo of Scrabble letters that spell out “Goodbye” on Tuesday (November 8). The actor, broadcaster, comedian, and writer had 12.5m followers and was following 47.6k people.
Actor Whoopi Goldberg said on US TV show The View on Monday (November 7) that she is “done with Twitter”.
"I'm going to get out, and if it settles down and I feel more comfortable, maybe I'll come back,” she added.
Supermodel Gigi Hadid also left Twitter. On Instagram, she stated that she had deactivated her account on Friday (November 4).
“For a long time, but especially with its new leadership,” Hadid wrote of Musk, “it’s becoming more and more of a cesspool of hate & bigotry, and its [sic] not a place I want to be a part of.”
As well as her statement, she posted Human Rights Counsel Shannon Raj Singh’s tweet about being laid off from the tech giant.
Producer Shonda Rhimes said: “Not hanging around for whatever Elon has planned. Bye.”
Not hanging around for whatever Elon has planned. Bye.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) October 29, 2022
Singer Toni Braxton said: “I’m shocked and appalled at some of the ‘free speech’ I’ve seen on this platform since its acquisition.
“Hate speech under the veil of ‘free speech’ is unacceptable; therefore I am choosing to stay off Twitter as it is no longer a safe space for myself, my sons and other POC.”
I'm shocked and appalled at some of the "free speech" I've seen on this platform since its acquisition. Hate speech under the veil of "free speech" is unacceptable; therefore I am choosing to stay off Twitter as it is no longer a safe space for myself, my sons and other POC.
— Toni Braxton (@tonibraxton) October 29, 2022
Singer Sara Bareilles said: “Welp. It’s been fun, Twitter. I’m out. See you on other platforms, peeps. Sorry, this one’s just not for me.”
Welp. It’s been fun Twitter. I’m out. See you on other platforms, peeps. Sorry, this one’s just not for me. ❤️🙏🏼
— Sara Bareilles (@SaraBareilles) October 30, 2022
Actor Josh Gad, who played cute snowman Olaf in Frozen, said he was considering leaving Twitter: “Large exodus happening on this platform. Not sure if I stay or not.
“Leaning toward staying, but if today is a sign of things to come, not sure what the point is. Freedom of speech is great. Hate speech intended to incite harm, (with no consequences) ain’t what I signed up for.”
Large exodus happening on this platform. Not sure if I stay or not. Leaning toward staying, but if today is a sign of things to come, not sure what the point is. Freedom of speech is great. Hate speech intended to incite harm, (with no consequences) ain’t what I signed up for.
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) October 29, 2022
Mick Foley, a retired professional wrestler and actor, and Brian Koppelman, co-creator of TV drama Billions, also left the social-media platform.
In April, when Musk first announced his intention to buy Twitter, Jameela Jamil said: “One good thing about Elon buying twitter is that I will *FINALLY* leave and stop being a complete menace to society on here. So it’s win-win for you all really.”
One good thing about Elon buying twitter is that I will *FINALLY* leave and stop being a complete menace to society on here. So it’s win win for you all really. 😂
— ❤️ Jameela Jamil ❤️ She/Her ❤️ (@jameelajamil) April 25, 2022
Not long after the takeover, the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) also told the Washington Post that use of the N-word on Twitter increased by nearly 500 per cent just 12 hours immediately after Musk’s deal was finalised.
Celebrities such as NBA star LeBron James called on Musk to crack down on users who use the offensive word.
“I don’t know Elon Musk and, tbh, I could care less who owns Twitter,” LeBron wrote.
“But I will say that if this is true, I hope he and his people take this very seriously because this is scary AF. So many damn unfit people saying hate speech is free speech.”
