Talk about a deep fake. As Italy remains on lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic, multiple pop stars from Katy Perry to Madonna are being fooled by a viral meme floating around the internet.
It all started when video footage began circulating across social media of an Italian neighborhood in the city of Salerno coming together in song while “social distancing” from the safety of their balconies. Soon enough, the heartwarming clip was being overdubbed to make it seem like the crowd was singing various pop songs including Perry’s “Roar,” Rihanna‘s “B—h Better Have My Money” and Madonna’s “I Rise.”
Perry went as far as retweeting the “Roar” clip, writing, “You cannot break the human spirit. We are one in this,” while Madge tweeted, “Let Us All RISE UP. everywhere around the world!!” alongside the version using the Madame X promo single.
Other versions of the meme include Britney Spears‘ “Sometimes,” Charli XCX‘s “Track 10” and Cheryl‘s “Fight For Love,” the latter of which the former Girls Aloud member retweeted and subsequently deleted.
Check out the posts from Perry, Madonna and more below.
You cannot break the human spirit. We are one in this. ♥️ https://t.co/XOa0rTVNwB
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) March 14, 2020
Let Us All RISE UP. everywhere around the world!! #irise pic.twitter.com/NJv93kWnWs
— Madonna (@Madonna) March 15, 2020
A whole neighborhood in Italy is singing “Bitch Better Have My Money” by @Rihanna while they’re on lockdown and self-quarantined #COVIDー19 pic.twitter.com/OjcdrBNsrY
— Manny (@FENTYGEMlNl) March 14, 2020
So beautiful seeing Italians under quarantine united by the power of Britney Spears pic.twitter.com/z3Pp1ZAJl2
— Yann (@yannhatchuel) March 15, 2020
A whole neighborhood in Italy is singing “Track 10” by Charli XCX while they’re on lockdown and self-quarantined. #COVIDー19 pic.twitter.com/P3UiVoiFVH
— (@burnrvbber) March 15, 2020
I’m not crying https://t.co/kRq4HCAP5D
— Cheryl (@CherylOfficial) March 15, 2020
