Viral social media posts regularly feature digitally altered “before and after” photos paired with incomplete, alarming captions like “admits that he tested positive for…” These posts deliberately leave sentences unfinished to exploit curiosity, driving users to click on dubious external links or engage with ad-laden websites.
The image labeled “NOW” featuring singer Justin Bieber is a heavily edited, manipulated photo designed to make him appear drastically gaunt and unhealthy. Unaltered paparazzi photos from the same outing show Bieber without the exaggerated hollow cheeks, altered skin texture, or distorted features.
While Justin Bieber openly shared in 2020 that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease and chronic mono—which affected his skin, energy, and overall health—posts using fake or digitally altered imagery twist his past health disclosures into sensationalized clickbait.
Spotting digital misinformation involves recognizing edited visuals and incomplete headlines. Genuine news regarding a major public figure’s health status is reported directly by major media outlets or official statements, rather than circulated through manipulated social media graphics.
Leave a Reply