Facebook post falsely claims Canadian actress Riele Downs is dead
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| False Facebook post claims that Canadian actress Riele Downs, as seen here in 2018, is died. (Photo by Kena BETANCUR / AFP) |
A Facebook post shared hundreds of times in Nigeria claims that the popular Canadian actor Riele Downs had died. But this is false: Nickelodeon has confirmed that the young actor, star of the network's hit superhero-themed comedy Henry Danger is still alive - and the Facebook account has since retracted the rumour.
The claim originated from a Facebook page called Riele Downs Fans, according to social media monitoring tool CrowdTangle. Facebook’s Page Transparency information confirms it is managed by an account registered in Nigeria.
“Popular Canadian Actress and Nickelodeon's Henry Danger Co-Star Riele West Downs is dead,” reads the post from the Facebook page. It has been shared more than 500 times and drawn over 700 comments since publication on April 11, 2021.
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| Screenshot taken on April 15, 2021, showing the false Facebook post |
Labelled “shocking news”, the post features a collage of four photos of Downs overlaid with “sad” emojis and an “RIP” inscription.
The 19-year-old actor is popular for her role as Charlotte on Henry Danger, which airs on Nickelodeon channels globally.
AFP Fact Check found that the popular actor has been inactive on social media in recent weeks.
I’m returning back to social media soon, promise 😅 I’ve been on a blissful vacation from it all
— riele downs (@rieledowns) March 25, 2021
The post about her purported death emerged online after Downs promised to return “to social media soon,” according to her last tweet published on March 25, 2021. “I’ve been on a blissful vacation from it all.”
But two days later, she posted a photo of two people, including herself, on her Instagram account, which has 2.5 million followers. The caption reads: “Celebrated my lil sis’ 16th bday yesterday.”
In reality, there is no official evidence that Downs is dead.
Nickelodeon has dismissed the claim as false.
“Riele is alive and well,” Nickelodeon spokeswoman Ariana Ubont told AFP Fact Check. “Thanks for the heads up about this (false claim)."
AFP Fact Check found no reports by reputable media organisations about Downs’ purported death.
Meanwhile, the Facebook page behind the claim has retracted it with an apology on April 15, 2021.
“So sorry for the fake post of our adorable Riele Downs being dead... Earlier,” reads the post. “The page was hacked... But I’ve gotten it back Plz don't be offended I love Riele and y’all too (sic).”
Sadly, its not uncommon for rumors of popular Nickelodeon stars dying to go around. All That, Kenan & Kel, Good Burger and Game Shakers star Kel Mitchell, original Blue's Clues host Steve Burns and iCarly star Noah Munck have all been victims of hoaxers.
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