Avril Lavigne addresses body double conspiracy theory
Some fans believe the singer died in 2003 and was replaced by a doppelgänger named Melissa
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Avril Lavigne has responded to an online conspiracy theory about her that claims she died in 2003 and has since been replaced by a doppelgänger named Melissa.
The rumour, which gained traction in the early 2000s, is believed to have originated on a Brazilian fan website.
The theory claims that Lavigne hired a body double to represent her at public events after she grew tired of being a celebrity. It’s then theorised that the singer died at some point between the release of her 2002 album Let Go and 2004’s Under My Skin and the record company decided to hire Melissa as Lavigne full-time.
“I mean, it’s just funny to me,” the “Complicated” singer, 39, said of the rumour on a recent episode of Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast.
“Like, on one end, everyone’s like, ‘You look the exact same. You haven’t aged a day.’ But then other people are like, there’s a conspiracy theory that I’m not me.
“Honestly, it’s not that bad. It could be worse, right?” Lavigne laughingly admitted. “I feel like I got a good one. I don’t feel like it’s negative. It’s nothing creepy.
“Obviously I am me, it’s so dumb,” she said, before adding: “I think that they’ve done that with other artists. I’m not the only one. I think, like, other people have that.”
Cooper told Lavigne: “I’m telling you what’s crazy is you haven’t aged. I’m staring at you. And, like, I’m picturing you with your auburn hair. And I’m like, oh my God. You literally look the same from when you were younger.”
Lavigne, who’s responsible for some of the biggest hits of the Noughties, including “Girlfriend” and “Sk8er Boi”, announced last week that she would be releasing a Greatest Hits record this summer. The album will feature 20 of her most popular songs.
Later this month, the Canadian singer will embark on a Greatest Hits North American tour, where she will perform songs from across her seven studio albums.
Beginning on 22 May, she will start in Vancouver, Canada, before continuing on to a number of US cities, including Inglewood, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Charlotte, North Carolina and Chicago, Illinois.
She’s then bringing the Greatest Hits tour to Europe and the UK. She will be performing at some of the continent’s biggest festivals, including Glastonbury on 30 June.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments