A-Listers Caught Using Burner Accounts to Defend Themselves

Social media has dissolved the barrier between celebrities and their fans, creating a landscape where criticism is instant and often harsh. While many public figures hire PR teams to manage their online presence, some choose to take matters into their own hands through anonymity. Internet sleuths and slip-ups have revealed that numerous A-listers maintain secret “finsta” or burner accounts to clap back at haters without damaging their official brand. These covert operations range from harmless venting to elaborate schemes involving family members and fake personas.

Kevin Durant

The NBA superstar is perhaps the most famous example of an athlete getting caught arguing with detractors via a burner account. Durant accidentally responded to a critic using his verified handle but spoke about himself in the third person, referring to his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He criticized his former coach and teammates, revealing that he believed he could not win a championship with that roster. The slip-up became an instant meme and Durant eventually admitted to using alternate accounts to engage with fans and critics.

Bryan Colangelo

In one of the most bizarre scandals in NBA history, the Philadelphia 76ers executive was linked to five different Twitter accounts that disclosed sensitive team information. These accounts consistently defended Colangelo’s decisions while attacking players like Joel Embiid and rival executives. An investigation by ‘The Ringer’ connected the accounts to Colangelo through phone numbers and recovery emails. He ultimately resigned from his position, though he attempted to blame the activity on his wife.

Skip Bayless

The polarized sports commentator is known for his hot takes, but he faced ridicule when he seemingly praised himself on a Facebook livestream. Bayless posted a comment on his own video declaring that “Skip is the man” and praising his show’s ratings. It appeared he intended to post the compliment from a burner account but forgot to switch profiles before hitting send. The incident fueled long-standing theories that he utilizes fake accounts to artificially boost his online engagement.

Mitt Romney

Political figures are not immune to the allure of anonymous browsing, as proven by the former presidential candidate. Romney admitted to owning a secret Twitter account under the pseudonym “Pierre Delecto” after a ‘Slate’ investigation uncovered it. The account was used primarily to like tweets that were favorable to Romney and critical of his political rivals. While he did not use it for aggressive arguments, the discovery humanized the senator in a strange and unexpected way.

Elon Musk

The tech billionaire and owner of X has been accused multiple times of using alternate accounts to defend his companies and decisions. Internet users identified an account that consistently replied to Musk’s main profile with supportive comments and bizarre roleplay, including pretending to be a young child. The account often used specific phrasing and knowledge that aligned closely with Musk’s personal life and location. Musk eventually engaged with the account in a way that all but confirmed he was operating it himself.

Shaquille O’Neal

The basketball legend openly admitted to having a “fake” Instagram account during a podcast appearance, surprising many fans. Shaq revealed he uses the account to leave comments on posts without attracting the media attention that comes with his verified badge. He explained that he uses the anonymity to be more candid and humorous with friends and critics alike. Unlike others on this list, O’Neal viewed the practice as a fun hobby rather than a shameful secret.

Demi Lovato

Fans uncovered a private Instagram account with the handle ‘traumaqueen4eva’ that appeared to belong to the pop star. The account was filled with posts that defended Lovato while attacking former best friend Selena Gomez and other celebrities. Screenshots of the account’s activity circulated widely, showing comments that criticized Gomez’s vocal ability and public image. Lovato’s team never officially confirmed the account, but the specificity of the content convinced many followers of its authenticity.

Cardi B

The Grammy-winning rapper has been very transparent about her use of burner accounts to monitor what people say about her online. She admitted in interviews and on social media that she uses anonymous profiles to check trends and occasionally argue with haters who spread misinformation. Cardi B explained that she feels the need to defend her character when false narratives begin to circulate. Her honesty about the practice has only endeared her further to her loyal fanbase.

Jameela Jamil

The actress from ‘The Good Place’ has faced persistent rumors regarding a Twitter account that aggressively defends her against every controversy. Internet sleuths noticed that the account used the exact same unique sentence structures and vocabulary as Jamil. The account would appear instantly whenever Jamil received backlash, offering detailed defenses that seemed personal. Jamil has denied running the account, but the circumstantial evidence remains a popular topic among her critics.

Jon Jones

The UFC heavyweight champion was caught in a digital blunder when he posted defense of his drug testing history on his own Instagram page. Jones replied to a fan’s criticism with a comment that referred to himself in the third person, praising his own talent and record. It was clear he intended to post the message from a burner account to simulate organic fan support. The fighter quickly deleted the comment, but screenshots had already immortalized the mistake.

Derek Carr

During his time as the quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, a Twitter account named “Jace Frost” emerged as his staunchest defender. The account would aggressively reply to beat writers and fans who criticized Carr’s statistics or game performance. Sleuths linked the account to Carr after noticing it was created shortly after he received criticism and only followed accounts related to him and his family. The “Jace Frost” account was deleted shortly after the connection was made public.

Pete Davidson

While the comedian did not run the account himself, he revealed that his mother created a burner profile to defend him from internet trolls. Davidson shared that his mom operated an account under the name “Joe Smith” to reply to negative comments on Twitter. However, she accidentally used her own profile picture and name in the account settings, instantly blowing her cover. Davidson recounted the story with humor, appreciating his mother’s misguided attempt to protect him.

Ariana Grande

Fans have long suspected the pop superstar of running a secret Instagram account dedicated to correcting rumors and clapping back at critics. The speculated account often posts specific details about her music production and personal life that only an insider would know. It has been observed engaging in arguments with “stans” who criticize her image or relationship choices. Grande has hinted at having private accounts, but has never publicly claimed the specific one identified by fans.

Iggy Azalea

The Australian rapper has been accused of operating several accounts to debate hip-hop fans about her legacy and chart success. Observant users noticed a pattern of accounts that would exclusively reply to tweets mentioning Azalea, often using her specific slang and cadence. These accounts would defend her touring numbers and stream counts with surprisingly accurate data. Azalea has laughed off some accusations, but the tenacity of her anonymous defenders keeps the theory alive.

Antonio Brown

The controversial NFL receiver was suspected of using a burner account with the handle “@Tav58111115” to attack former teammates and coaches. The account surfaced during his tumultuous exit from the league, posting insider information and defenses of Brown’s behavior. Internet detectives noted that the account had poor grammar similar to Brown’s typing style and only followed people relevant to his career. Brown never admitted to the account, but the timing and content were incredibly suspicious.

Tristan Thompson

Khloe Kardashian’s ex-partner was accused of using a burner account to defend his reputation amidst cheating scandals. A specific Twitter user consistently replied to Kardashian fans, insisting that Thompson was a good father and that the rumors were exaggerated. The account’s defensive tone and focus on his personal relationships raised red flags for followers of the reality TV drama. Thompson has largely ignored the allegations, but the account ceased activity once it was called out.

Dwight Howard

The NBA center faced allegations of using a burner account to defend his decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic. Fans noticed an account that would write lengthy paragraphs justifying Howard’s career moves and attacking his former teammates. The writing style matched Howard’s known social media voice, including his frequent use of specific emojis. The account disappeared after sports blogs began to highlight the suspicious similarities.

Nicki Minaj

The ‘Pink Friday’ rapper is known for her passionate fanbase, the Barbz, but rumors persist that she joins their ranks anonymously. She has been accused of using alt accounts to instigate feuds with other female rappers and mobilize her fans to stream her music. Some accounts have posted behind-the-scenes information about video shoots before they were public, suggesting direct access to Minaj. While she is vocal on her main account, these burners allow for more aggressive tactics without direct liability.

Offset

The Migos rapper faced scrutiny when a Twitter account appeared that was dedicated solely to denying rumors about his infidelity. The account would reply to viral tweets with specific denials and claims that videos were edited or taken out of context. Fans linked the account to Offset due to the timing of the tweets coinciding with his online activity. He has denied using burner accounts, claiming he prefers to address issues directly or not at all.

Summer Walker

The R&B singer famously operated a secondary Instagram account under the handle ‘galactawhore’ which she used to vent her frustrations. While technically a “spam” account, she used it to aggressively defend her parenting style and cancel tour dates. The account allowed her to speak more freely and harshly than her verified page would permit. She would often delete the entire account’s content after a rant, only to return when she needed to defend herself again.

What do you think about celebrities secretly fighting their own battles online—share your thoughts in the comments!