Over the years, Diana Ross, the iconic singer and actress, has been the unfortunate target of multiple false death rumors. The most recent incident occurred in June 2022 when a Facebook page named “R.I.P. Diana Ross” falsely claimed her passing. This page garnered nearly a million likes and received condolences from fans who were misled by this fabricated news.
Fortunately, the hoax was swiftly exposed and removed. Diana Ross’s representatives promptly confirmed her well-being and urged people not to believe everything they encounter on the internet. Diana Ross herself took to Twitter on June 23, 2022, to declare, “I am in great health and feeling wonderful. Thank you for your love and support. God bless you all.”
This wasn’t the first time Diana Ross had been erroneously declared deceased by online pranksters. In August 2023, another false death rumor circulated on social media, falsely claiming she had perished in a car accident. This baseless rumor stemmed from a 1997 news report about the tragic car crash that took the life of Princess Diana in Paris. Some confused the two names, erroneously thinking Diana Ross had also been involved.
Thankfully, this latest hoax was promptly debunked, with Diana Ross’s son Evan Ross posting an Instagram picture of his mother with the caption “Mom is alive and well.” Furthermore, Diana Ross performed at a concert in Las Vegas on August 31, 2023, solidifying her continued vitality.
Diana Ross is not the sole celebrity to fall victim to death hoaxes. Other stars like Cher, Morgan Freeman, Jackie Chan, and Betty White have also been falsely declared dead by online trolls. These hoaxes often arise from malicious intent, a desire for attention, or plain boredom. Unfortunately, they can distress and confuse fans and family members of the celebrities involved.
The most effective way to guard against falling for such hoaxes is to verify the source and credibility of news before sharing it. If the information hasn’t been reported by reputable media outlets or confirmed by the celebrities themselves or their representatives, it’s likely untrue. It’s also advisable to report and flag suspicious pages or posts that spread false information.
Diana Ross stands as one of the most influential and successful singers in history. She boasts over 100 million records sold globally and a collection of prestigious awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award nomination. Her philanthropic endeavors, such as supporting HIV/AIDS awareness, advocating for racial equality, and promoting women’s empowerment, further highlight her significance.
Diana Ross remains active in the music industry with plans to release a new album in 2024. She is also scheduled to perform at the Glastonbury Festival in England in June 2024, a performance postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diana Ross is very much alive and continues to offer her talents and contributions to her fans and the world. She deserves admiration and respect, not false rumors and hoaxes. As she famously sang, “I’m coming out, I want the world to know, got to let it show.”