Every year, there seem to be dozens of new celebrity-centered conspiracy theories, each getting more out of hand as it’s passed along through social media. This year, the most notable conspiracy (so far) was centered around Catherine, Princess of Wales, and her disappearance. Conspiracies about her death, her being kidnapped, and her running away, to name a few, floated around TikTok, despite Kensington Palace’s efforts to dial them down. Eventually, she had to make a video addressing the theories, revealing her battle with cancer. 

For years, people on social media have speculated about certain celebrities actually being body doubles, claiming that the actual celebrity is missing. Now that AI has grown in popularity, the body double conspiracies are turning into AI conspiracies. One of the most notable body double theories is the theory about Avril Lavigne. This theory has been passed around since around 2005, claiming that she struggled with fame and started using a body double (named Melissa). During the pass-around of the theory, it was added that the real Avril Lavigne passed away, sometime around 2003. Fans looked at her red carpet outfits and even her facial features to back their claims. 

Another singer-related conspiracy theory centers around Tupac Shakur. Years after his death, fans are speculating that he faked his death and is still alive. To further this conspiracy, fans are also saying that he is hiding in Cuba, or that he was taken hostage by the government, with most conspiracies saying he’s being held as a witness. Other conspiracies, however, focused on the mystery of his murderer, trying to figure it out on their own. Some say that Biggie Smalls (Notorious B.I.G.), who died in 1997 (almost a year after Tupac’s death), was behind the shooting that killed Tupac. 

Speaking of famous deaths, there is a theory that Katy Perry is child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey, whose death is infamous. The theory claims that JonBenet Ramsey’s death was faked by her parents and that she grew up to be Katy Perry. People who support or believe in the theory argue that there are many similarities in their appearances, but other than that there is no evidence to support it. 

Straying away from celebrity death theories, there is a theory that Keanu Reeves is immortal. This theory includes a secret society, existing throughout centuries, that Keanu Reeves is a part of. Not only that, but supporters also believe that he has been photographed in a variety of historical events. The “evidence” that many supporters and believers use is the fact that Keanu Reeves does not look like he has aged much, even though the Hollywood spotlight has been on him for decades. There is even a website called keanuisimmortal.com.

Another conspiracy theory that fails to make sense, while also having been debunked several times, is the theory that Beyonce is Solange’s mother. The theory claims that Beyonce, when she was a teenager, gave birth to her “sister” Solange, but that their parents raised Solange as their own. While her parents were raising Solange, Beyonce pursued her music career. This conspiracy has been debunked multiple times due to the sisters having a five-year age gap. 

As crazy as these conspiracy theories are, there are many that are even crazier. These include theories such as the Illuminati killing the “real Slim Shady”, or Stephen King killing John Lennon, or the “27 Club”, where celebrities that died at twenty-seven years old were killed by a mysterious force. While it can be entertaining to read about crazy conspiracy theories, it’s always important to remember that conspiracy theories can be, at times, harmful and that a lot of people genuinely believe in these theories. 

Theo Picard, Staff Writer

Senior Theo Picard is a staff writer for the 2023-2024 Colonel Newsmagazine. He enjoys reading, hanging out with animals, and all things horror.