Elon Musk and co. is making a big change to Twitter starting this month — and it’s going to affect just about every verified celeb out there … many of whom aren’t happy about it.
We’re talking, of course, about the coveted blue checkmarks — which, for years, have served as the official bird app verification system … to identify prominent public figures and other people known from all the criteria. Word is, that will all be over in April.
going to sleep tonight with my husband with a checkmark, I know it will all be over in the morning pic.twitter.com/hYXKNrpsdt
— chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen) April 1, 2023
Going forward, Elon said he’ll start charging people $8/month for Twitter Blue subscriptions — giving them the option to buy their blue check. Not only that, but he stopped the legacy verifications … whose stripping was supposed to start today, April 1st.
In other words, all the stars who enjoy official verification status will be like the rest of us — and a small handful are already mourning, Chrissy Teigen together.
Friends, there are bigger issues with 🌎than the blue verified ✔️next to my name on this account. But without it, anyone can declare that I am. So, if I lose that ✔️ I know I will leave this platform. Anyone who goes out with it=is an impostor. I am telling you this while I am still an official.
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) March 28, 2023
He jokingly addressed his blue check status with a cheeky response … implying that he doesn’t take money to stay verified. Ditto for a ton of other celebs, some of whom seem genuinely upset about it. Jason Alexander he said he would get out of here if his check was lost.
William Shatner Also recently got a little annoyed with the lack of checks and balances in Twitter’s new space, writing … “Hey @elonmusk what about the blue checks that disappear unless we pay Twitter? I’m here inside the 15 years of giving my ⏰ & witty thoughts all for bupkis. Now you’re telling me I have to pay for something you gave me for free? What is this-Colombia Records & Tape Club?” And Dionne Warwicktoo, griped about it.
I’m not paying for a blue check. That money can (and will) go towards my super hot latte. 😒
— Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) March 31, 2023
He wrote, “I’m not paying for a blue check. That money can (and will) go to my super hot latte.” Ice-T said something similar this week … vowing to go blue check-less if push comes to shove. As we reported… LeBron James promised something similar.
Many stars seem willing to lose their verification if it means they have to pay, but right now — almost everyone still has checks … so maybe it’s an April Fools joke?
It is important to know whether a person belongs to an organization or not to avoid impersonation https://t.co/nFnr2hFvbY
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 31, 2023
I do not think so. Just a few days ago, Elon pointed people in the direction of Twitter’s Verified Organizations system — apparently dedicated to ensuring that companies, news orgs and other notables continue to remain verified entity on Twitter … no impersonation.
Others, though — including individual journals, etc. — may be required to pay if they want their blue checks. It’s sure to be as *** for a while … we’ll see where the chips go.
Good luck, all of you. And beware of impostors … something tells us there may be a few in our midst.