In 2022, Elon Musk acquired Twitter, which is now known as "X," and this shift has altered how many people perceive the platform. One major effect of his takeover was that many famous celebrities decided to leave Twitter, expressing their concerns about Musk's plans for the site. Musk has been known for advocating a very open approach to free speech, which meant relaxing rules about what could be posted. This led to worries about more hate speech, misinformation, and negativity on the platform.
One of the first stars to announce her departure was Shonda Rhimes, a well-known TV producer and writer famous for shows like Grey's Anatomy. She said she wouldn't stick around for "whatever Elon has planned," which highlighted a lot of people's uncertainty about what Twitter's future might look like. Influential figures like her showed they weren't comfortable with the changes in leadership.
Following her, actress Téa Leoni and singer Sara Bareilles also decided to leave. Bareilles emphasized that Twitter was no longer a suitable space for her. Their comments reflected a growing unease with the new direction of the platform.
Supermodel Gigi Hadid described Twitter as a "cesspool of hate and bigotry," voicing the concerns of many users about the lack of moderation and the possible spread of harmful content. Her choice to leave highlighted how important a safe online environment is for some public figures.
Wrestling legend Mick Foley shared his worries about Twitter's future, saying he didn't feel positive about where it was going. Singer Toni Braxton also expressed her discomfort with the type of content being allowed, which influenced her decision to leave.
Other notable stars, such as actor Ken Olin, left on a positive note, while musician Trent Reznor criticized Musk's leadership, describing the platform as "toxic." Comedian Jim Carrey even shared a final cartoon as a way to say goodbye, showing a mix of creativity and seriousness about his reasons for departing.
Though not every celebrity left because of Musk's takeover, the timing of their departures suggested a connection. Stars like Don Lemon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jack White also walked away, quietly signaling that many thought Twitter under Musk was losing its appeal for thoughtful and socially aware individuals.
Together, these celebrity exits reflect a larger dissatisfaction with the direction Twitter has taken. Whether due to concerns about values, a desire to protect their reputations, or simply needing a break from social media, the exodus of so many famous faces after Musk took control creates a clear picture of a platform amid change, facing challenges related to its identity, community, and future.