Top 10 Craziest Celebrity Rumors That Were Disproven

#10: Harry Styles Spits on Chris Pine

By the time it was released in September 2022, the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding Dont Worry Darling sparked more chatter than the film itself. There were various stories about the supposedly troubled production and tensions between the cast. We can put at least one rumor to rest, however. When the physiological thriller premiered at Venice, a video was taken, seemingly showing Harry Styles spitting on co-star Chris Pine before sitting down. While Styles made a gesture with his mouth, no saliva is visible. Pine appears puzzled, but doesnt look like someone who just got spat on. Although Styles joked about this at Madison Square Garden, he brushed off the rumor while Pines representatives called the claims a complete fabrication. Pine himself also outright denied it.

#9: RIP Steve Burns?

In 1996, Blues Clues premiered on Nickelodeon, turning host Steve Burns into a TV icon. About two years into production, rumors started circulating that Burns had tragically died. Burns would appear on The Rosie ODonnell Show to dispel these rumors. The hoax drew comparison to a similar conspiracy that Paul McCartney died and was replaced with a lookalike. Blues Clues co-creator Angela Santomero felt this was different, given the shows young audience. After Burns left Blues Clues in 2002, the rumors gained traction again. The most widespread iteration seemed to be that Burns died from a heroin overdose. Then in 2015, a fake news story claimed that Burns had perished in a car crash. Of course, those who followed the pawprints know this isnt true.

#8: Lea Michele Cant Read

To say that not everyone is a Lea Michele fan would be an understatement. While there have been numerous stories about the Glee star, the most outlandish is that shes illiterate. The rumor seemingly emanated from a 2017 episode of the One More Thing podcast. Discussing Naya Riveras memoir, hosts Jaye Hunt and Robert Ackerman threw out the theory that Michele couldnt read. They took this further in a Facebook Live video, providing so-called evidence. It mightve been a joke, but that didnt stop the internet from latching on. Although Michele repeatedly denied these claims, the rumor still made the rounds every few years. In 2025, Michele dropped by Therapuss with Jake Shane, reading cards live in an attempt to close the book on this.

#7: Halle Berrys Six Toes

No matter how beautiful someone else is, there will always be those who try to find perceived imperfections even if they have to make them up. In Halle Berrys case, it was rumored that the Oscar-winning actress and Miss World contestant has six toes on one foot. The earliest mention of this rumor we could find was in a 2005 article, although its hard to say when and where exactly it originated. Regardless, Berry shot down this rumor in a 2022 episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Citing her feet as her proudest physical feature, Berry showed off both to the audience. She even counted each piggy to confirm there were five on each. Its not the first time Berry went barefoot on camera, if you need more evidence.

#6: Katy Perry Is JonBenét Ramsey

In 1996, young beauty pageant winner JonBenét Ramsey mysteriously died in her home, launching conspiracy theories that persist even to this day. By far the strangest is that JonBenét is alive and she grew up to be pop star Katy Perry. Popularized by David Johnson, the rumor generated attention about two decades after JonBenéts murder. In addition to noting a physical resemblance, conspiracy theorists believe Perry was throwing us off track when she reportedly said, There was no JonBenet Ramsey inside of me waiting to burst out. The rumor resurfaced in a 2025 AI-generated video, to which Perry replied, Wait, am I? The theory doesnt add up, though, as Perrys upbringing is well-documented and she was born six years before Ramsey, who had an autopsy.

#5: Michael Jackson Owns the Elephant Mans Bones

Weve heard so many crazy (and not-so-crazy) rumors about Michael Jackson that this one probably eluded you. Theres a misconception that the King of Pop purchased the bones of Joseph Merrick, aka The Elephant Man. Although such a transaction never took place, there might be some truth to this rumor. In 1987, Jackson reportedly offered to buy Merricks skeleton from London Hospital Medical College for between $500,000 and $1 million. The college supposedly rejected him, although Jackson later claimed in 1993 that he never asked for the Elephant Mans bones. Yet, Jackson acknowledged that he was fascinated by Merricks story. In any case, its safe to say that Jackson never possessed Merricks bones. Today, Merricks skeleton can be seen at the Royal London Hospital.

#4: Mr. Rogers: American Sniper

When people think of wholesome figures, Fred Rogers immediately comes to mind. Its only natural thered be myths attempting to shatter that illusion. The one that hits the hardest is that Mr. Rogers was a sniper during the Vietnam War, being linked to the Navy SEALs and Marines. The rumor further claims that Rogers has multiple confirmed kills. Aside from not having a military record, Rogers wouldve been in his late 30s when U.S. troops arrived in Vietnam. Rogers missed the draft age, and its not like he had time to enlist. By this point, he was already working in television, going on to create Mister Rogers Neighborhood a year before the number of U.S. troops in Vietnam peaked. Its pure make-believe.

#3: Richard Gere-bil

Hmmm, how do we discuss gerbilling without getting demonized? Well, remember that South Park episode with Mr. Slave and Lemmywinks? You should be able to fill in the blanks from there. Some have debated whether gerbilling is even a real sexual practice. What we can say with certainty is that Richard Gere never had a gerbil inside of him, despite that infamous urban legend. Predating the rise of the internet, this rumor goes back to the 80s when Gere was allegedly rushed to the emergency room for a gerbilectomy. The story only grew in notoriety during the 90s, although theres zero evidence backing it up. Its unclear who started the rumor, although Gere supposedly blamed Sylvester Stallone, who denies doing so.

#2: Walt Disney Frozen

Not long before he received the keys to the Magic Kingdom, Michael Eisner had a question for Walt Disneys daughter, Diane. Before Eisner could even finish, Diane Disney told him, I know what youre going to ask, and no. Dad isnt frozen. The fact this question even entered Eisners mind goes to show just how many bought into the idea that Walt Disney was cryogenically frozen. In reality, Disney died on December 15, 1966, about a month after being diagnosed with lung cancer. The rumor suggests that Disney is still in a chamber containing liquid nitrogen, waiting to be thawed once theres a cure. Quite the opposite of being frozen, Disney was cremated. It might be time to let this one go.

#1: Elvis Presley Alive

Its hard to think of a celebrity linked to more conspiracy theories than Elvis, the most popular being that the King of Rock and Roll didnt die in 1977. About a decade after Presley was pronounced dead, Louise Welling claimed that she saw Elvis at a Michigan Burger King, as well as a supermarket. Welling wasnt the first person to imply that Elvis mightve faked his death. Author Gail Brewer-Giorgio had been spinning tall tales for years, but this went into overdrive as Wellings alleged Elvis sighting made headlines. Although numerous outlets ran with the story, the truth is that multiple eyewitnesses can confirm that Presley died in Graceland. This includes his fiancée Ginger Alden, who discovered the body, and his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley.

What celebrity rumors do you think are bogus? Let us know in the comments.