A-Listers Caught Using Burner Accounts to Defend Themselves

Social media has made it much easier for fans to directly interact with celebrities, but this also means criticism can be immediate and quite severe. While many celebrities use public relations teams to handle their online image, some prefer to respond to negativity themselves, often using anonymous accounts. It’s become common for famous people to create secret, secondary accounts – sometimes called “finstas” – to defend themselves against critics without harming their public image. These private responses vary from simple venting to more complex efforts, sometimes even involving family members or entirely fabricated identities.

Kevin Durant

I remember when it all blew up with that NBA superstar! It was crazy seeing him get caught arguing with people online. He accidentally replied to a fan from his real account, but he was talking about himself in the third person, like he was someone else! He was talking about his time on the Oklahoma City Thunder and basically said he didn’t think his old team was good enough to win a championship, even throwing shade at his former coach and teammates. It instantly went viral – everyone was making memes about it. Eventually, he admitted he was using fake accounts to talk to people online, both fans and people criticizing him.

Bryan Colangelo

One of the strangest incidents ever to hit the NBA involved a top executive with the Philadelphia 76ers who was found to be secretly operating five different Twitter accounts. These accounts regularly shared inside information about the team, praised the executive’s choices, and criticized players like Joel Embiid and other team leaders. An investigation by ‘The Ringer’ traced the accounts back to the executive using phone numbers and email addresses. He eventually stepped down from his job, but claimed his wife was responsible for the activity.

Skip Bayless

The sports commentator, known for his controversial opinions, became a laughingstock after seemingly complimenting himself during a Facebook live stream. He posted a comment on his own video saying “Skip is the man” and boasting about his show’s viewership. It looks like he meant to post it from a fake account, but accidentally used his real one. This incident has added fuel to rumors that he uses multiple accounts to make his online presence seem bigger than it is.

Mitt Romney

Even politicians sometimes use anonymous online accounts. Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney confessed to having a secret Twitter account, known as “Pierre Delecto,” after it was discovered by the website ‘Slate’. He mainly used the account to show support for his own views and criticize his opponents. Although he didn’t engage in heated debates, the revelation surprisingly made him seem more relatable.

Elon Musk

The owner of X, a tech billionaire, has repeatedly been accused of using fake online accounts to support his businesses and choices. People online discovered one account that consistently posted positive comments to his main profile, even engaging in strange roleplaying, like pretending to be a child. This account frequently used language and details that seemed to match the billionaire’s personal life and where he lived. Eventually, the billionaire interacted with the account in a way that strongly suggested he was actually the one controlling it.

Shaquille O’Neal

Shaq recently shared on a podcast that he has a secret, unverified Instagram account, which surprised a lot of people. He explained that he uses it to comment on posts without the extra attention his official account gets. He likes being able to be more honest and funny with both his friends and people who criticize him. Unlike some, Shaq sees having this second account as a lighthearted hobby, not something to hide.

Demi Lovato

Fans discovered a private Instagram account, seemingly belonging to the pop star, with the username ‘traumaqueen4eva’. The account featured posts supporting Lovato and harshly criticizing former friend Selena Gomez and other celebrities. Screenshots of these posts quickly spread online, revealing comments that attacked Gomez’s singing and public persona. While Lovato’s representatives never confirmed the account was hers, many followers believed it was authentic due to the detailed and personal nature of the content.

Cardi B

Cardi B, the Grammy-winning rapper, has openly discussed using fake online accounts to see what people are saying about her. She’s admitted to using these anonymous profiles to follow trends and sometimes respond to people spreading false information. She says she feels it’s important to stand up for herself when untrue stories start circulating, and her fans appreciate her honesty about doing so.

Jameela Jamil

Jameela Jamil, known for her role in ‘The Good Place’, has been the subject of speculation about a Twitter account that consistently defends her when she faces criticism. People online noticed the account wrote in a style very similar to Jamil’s, using the same phrases and words. This account would quickly appear whenever Jamil received negative feedback, offering in-depth and personal-sounding rebuttals. While Jamil claims she doesn’t run the account, many of her critics continue to discuss the evidence suggesting she does.

Jon Jones

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones accidentally revealed he was trying to create the impression of fan support when defending his past drug tests. He responded to a fan’s comment on Instagram, praising himself and his accomplishments, but it was obvious he was attempting to post as a fake account. He quickly deleted the comment, but screenshots of the post were already circulating online.

Derek Carr

As a film critic, I’ve seen my share of behind-the-scenes drama, but this one’s particularly odd. While Derek Carr was playing quarterback for the Raiders, a Twitter account called “Jace Frost” popped up and became his most vocal supporter. This account didn’t just defend Carr, it actively attacked anyone – writers or fans – who dared to criticize his stats or play. It didn’t take long for people to start connecting the dots. The account was brand new, appearing right after Carr faced some heat, and only followed people connected to him and his family. Once the connection was made public, the account vanished. It’s a strange little subplot to his time in Vegas, and honestly, a bit unsettling.

Pete Davidson

The comedian explained that his mother tried to defend him from online trolls by creating a fake Twitter account. She used the name “Joe Smith” to respond to negative comments, but she mistakenly used her own profile picture and name, immediately revealing her identity. The comedian found the whole situation funny and appreciated her effort to protect him, even though it didn’t go as planned.

Ariana Grande

For a long time, fans have believed the pop star secretly runs an Instagram account to address false information and respond to criticism. This account reportedly shares detailed, inside knowledge about her music and personal life, and has even been seen arguing with fans who criticize her. While the singer has mentioned having private accounts, she hasn’t confirmed this specific one is the one fans are talking about.

Iggy Azalea

The Australian rapper is facing claims that she created fake online accounts to argue with fans about her music and how well it’s done. People noticed these accounts only responded to posts about her, and they seemed to write just like she does, even using her unique slang. They also defended her concert attendance and streaming numbers with surprisingly precise information. While the rapper has dismissed the idea, the dedicated efforts of these anonymous supporters continue to fuel the speculation.

Antonio Brown

An NFL receiver faced accusations of using a fake online account – with the username “@Tav58111115” – to criticize former teammates and coaches. The account appeared as he was leaving the league and shared details only someone inside the team would know, along with explanations defending his actions. People online noticed the account’s writing style resembled his and that it only followed people connected to his football career. While he denied owning the account, the timing and what it posted raised strong suspicions.

Tristan Thompson

Khloe Kardashian’s ex, Tristan Thompson, was reportedly using a fake Twitter account to try and control the narrative around cheating rumors. Someone on Twitter kept responding to Khloe’s fans, claiming Thompson was a great dad and downplaying the scandals. People noticed the account was overly defensive and focused on his personal life, leading them to believe it was connected to him. Thompson hasn’t addressed the claims, but the account stopped posting after being questioned.

Dwight Howard

NBA center Dwight Howard was accused of secretly running a social media account to support his choices about leaving the Lakers and Magic. Fans spotted an account posting long defenses of Howard’s career and criticizing his old teammates. The way it wrote—including the emojis used—seemed very similar to Howard’s usual social media style. The account vanished after websites started pointing out the connection.

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj has a famously dedicated fanbase called the Barbz, but there’s ongoing speculation that she secretly participates as one of them. She’s been accused of creating fake online profiles to start conflicts with other female rappers and encourage her fans to listen to her songs. Some of these accounts have shared details about her video shoots before they were officially released, hinting that they’re connected to her directly. While she’s open about her views on her main social media, these anonymous accounts let her use more confrontational strategies without being directly linked to them.

Offset

Offset, the rapper from Migos, faced criticism after a Twitter account emerged that seemed dedicated to disproving rumors about him cheating. The account responded to popular tweets with specific denials, claiming videos were manipulated or misrepresented. Many fans believed Offset was behind the account because its activity aligned with his own online presence. Offset has stated he doesn’t use fake accounts, preferring to either address problems head-on or ignore them completely.

Summer Walker

The R&B singer was known to use a separate, private Instagram account – under the username ‘galactawhore’ – as an outlet for her frustrations. Although intended as a ‘spam’ account, she actively used it to strongly defend her choices as a parent and to announce canceled tour dates. This account gave her the freedom to express herself more openly and intensely than she could on her official page. She often deleted everything on the account after posting a strong response, but would reactivate it whenever she felt the need to defend herself again.

2025-11-30 08:17