Celebrities have reacted to losing their blue ticks on Twitter, as CEO Elon Musk stripped notable accounts of their verified badges.
The change came into force on April 20. Now, the only way to get a blue tick on Twitter is to sign up for the Twitter Blue subscription service.
Some of Twitter’s most followed accounts, including Cristiana Ronaldo, Justin Bieber, and Lady Gaga, have lost their official status.
However, some celebrities are making the most of the moment to joke about no longer being Twitter verified.
Stories are also circulating of Musk ‘personally paying’ for celebrities to keep their blue tick.
Radio presenter Greg James joked: “I lost my blue tick but your rocket blew up so who’s the real loser.”
I lost my blue tick but your rocket blew up so who’s the real loser
— Greg James (@gregjames) April 20, 2023
Actor Elijah Wood said: “So long, verified status.”
So long, verified status.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) April 21, 2023
Actress Rachel Sennott announced: “Unverified….I’m so indie.”
Unverified….I’m so indie
— Rachel Sennott (@Rachel_Sennott) April 20, 2023
Singer St Vincent said: “I kid. I’m not genuinely worried about the blue check mark. You’ll know it’s really me by the sporadic timing and general confusion with which I engage. [Love] to all.”
I kid. I’m not genuinely worried about the blue check mark. You’ll know it’s really me by the sporadic timing and general confusion with which I engage. ❤️ to all.
— St. Vincent (@st_vincent) April 20, 2023
Food critic Jay Rayner wittily commented: “And lo, after 14 years on Twitter I’ve gone through digital puberty and shed my tick. I may however still be me. Not sure. It’s been a bit of a week.”
And lo, after 14 years on Twitter I’ve gone through digital puberty and shed my tick. I may however still be me. Not sure. It’s been a bit of a week.
— Jay Rayner (@jayrayner1) April 20, 2023
Singer Charli XCX said: “Officially no longer an officially verified artist. I love being unofficial and unverified. It’s very moi.”
officially no longer an officially verified artist. i love being unofficial and unverified. it’s very moi.
— Charli (@charli_xcx) April 20, 2023
While actress Natalie Cassidy was more earthy: “What’s all this shite about a blue tick? I could not care less if I’m honest.”
What’s all this shite about a blue tick? I could not care a less if I’m honest.
— Natalie Cassidy (@Nat_Cassidy) April 20, 2023
Presenter Rylan Clark amused his fans with a simple: “Bye bye blue tick” shared with a photo of actor Shia LaBeouf with a bag on his head that reads “I am not famous anymore”.
Bye bye blue tick pic.twitter.com/14z5nPpErA
— R Y L A N (@Rylan) April 20, 2023
Actress Halle Berry added a meme of herself looking happy with the words: “Me joining you all tomorrow unverified.”
Me joining you all tomorrow unverified 🥰 https://t.co/ujDlcsV8aL pic.twitter.com/1p6Q0uRuj1
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) April 20, 2023
Meanwhile, author Stephen King, who still has a blue tick, 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.”
My Twitter account says I’ve subscribed to Twitter Blue. I haven’t.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) April 20, 2023
My Twitter account says I’ve given a phone number. I haven’t.
Musk has confirmed that he is “paying” for some celebrities’ blue ticks himself.
Musk revealed that he was paying for King, actor William Shatner, and basketball player LeBron James.
Just Shatner, LeBron and King
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 21, 2023
King, Shatner, and James have all criticised Musk’s Twitter Blue subscription service, and all said they would refuse to pay.
In October, King tweeted: “$20 a month to keep my blue check? F*** that, they should pay me. If that gets instituted, I’m gone like Enron.”
And in March, Shatner said: “Hey @elonmusk what’s this about blue checks going away unless we pay Twitter? I’ve been here for 15 years giving my [time] and witty thoughts all for bupkis.
“Now you’re telling me that I have to pay for something you gave me for free? What is this-the Colombia Records and Tape Club?
But on Thursday (April 20), Shatner tweeted to Musk: “Thank you, I accept.”
While most celebrities seem to have lost their verified badges, some of the platform’s most-followed accounts still have their blue ticks, including former US president Barack Obama, and singers Taylor Swift and Rihanna.
