DeuxMoi: The rise of Instagram’s anonymous celebrity gossip sharer with 1.7 million followers | Ents & Arts News

On March 21, 2020, the anonymous woman behind the Instagram account known only as DeuxMoi posted a message on an old account that had become inactive.

“Ok better than…my amazing and captivating comment…DM me any celebrity stories (first or second hand) you’d like to share.” It didn’t take long for the replies to come in, the encounters to be shared and the followers to each other accumulated

While those who don’t spend hours on the social media site may not have heard of DeuxMoi, for many it’s the pop culture go-to place, posting behind-the-scenes stories, anecdotes and rumors from insiders, celebrity sightings, casting Info and even details on who tips well in restaurants – and who doesn’t. (Tipping, especially the difference between UK and US stars, is a hot topic.)

Followers share their encounters and insider info, DeuxMoi reposts their stories; only moderated to sometimes remove a name or identifying details if the sender chooses not to disclose it. These are known as “Blinds” and leave followers to do their own detective work.

Speaking to Sky News, the unnamed woman behind the account insists her content is mostly harmless and isn’t presented as fact or as authority, but “the reality is the audience is on the same journey as me to find out the truth about a.” Rumor. We’re all in this together.”

DeuxMoi says she makes it clear she’s neither a journalist nor a Hollywood insider. “Curators of pop culture,” reads the bio. “Some statements regarding this account have not been independently verified. This account makes no claims that the information published is based on fact.”

But many of the followers are. From publicists, assistants, and nannies to record label employees, TV hosts, restaurant workers, and even celebs themselves, many are ready to spill the tea. As a result, DeuxMoi was first with some big celebrity stories, such as Olivia Wilde and Harry Styles‘ Relationshipand Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s split.

While some celebs are understandably not fans, there are others who can’t get enough. kardashian himself has reportedly described it as “the Bible”, Cardi B and Chrissy Teigen are among the followers of the account, and Drew Barrymore recently interviewed Deux on her podcast, Drew’s News.

Now there are goods. A podcast. A recently published novel, Anon Pls, which refers to the request of all titbit submitters to keep their names private. And an HBO drama is reportedly in the works.

More than gossip?

There is an obvious argument against unconfirmed stories being shared publicly. DeuxMoi seems to have filled the hole left by many noughties celebrity gossip magazines when they were toned down – but with a following of 1.7 million and counting, there’s clearly an appetite for it.

Most of it is low stakes. So the “blinds” are fewer for the content. In an age where the rich and famous have almost complete control over the content they post on social media, the appeal seems to be that it’s unfiltered. DeuxMoi says the account isn’t all about gossip. Growth during the pandemic, when people were stuck at home, created a connection, she says.

“Drew, she got the humanist side,” she says, opening up about her interview with Barrymore and the A-lister’s love for the site (she’s also a fan).

“In the quarantine when everything was closed, people sent stories from five years ago, 10 years ago, 20 years ago, it was almost like a human interaction study. How certain celebrities would interact with fans or how they would be at certain points in their careers. I felt like Drew understood that aspect of the account and didn’t see it as just a gossip account because I think it’s more than that.

While there has been much speculation about her identity — with names reported in the US — DeuxMoi says who she is doesn’t matter. “I don’t think it’s an important factor. I don’t post anything about myself.”

We know she lives in New York and doesn’t use anything to alter her voice, she says, so apparently I’m hearing the real DeuxMoi. In total there are about 20 people, close friends and family members who know their identities. First she had a job and at the same time ran DeuxMoi – she lived in constant “scared” for fear of being exposed. Now DeuxMoi is the job.

And while she remains nameless, most celebrities surely know DeuxMoi. In an interview with Rolling Stone surrounding the release of their fourth album in November 2021, Adele joked about the difficulties in dating. “You can’t put me on a bloody blind date! I ask myself: ‘How is this supposed to work?’ There will be paparazzi outside and someone will shout DeuxMoi, or whatever it is called! It’s not happening.”

Rihanna to headline Glastonbury (rumors) and the next Bond…

Two rumors the account recently posted about: rihanna apparently headlines Glastonburyand next up is Aaron Taylor-Johnson James Bond.

Addressing Rihanna first, she said, “I want to put it on record that I don’t know how reliable this information is, but she’s got new music, she’s doing the Super Bowl. Her name was thrown around for Coachella. Someone wrote and said she was close to confirming it. But I want to say that I don’t know how reliable this information is, so as not to raise everyone’s hopes.”

She’s more confident with British actor and Marvel star Aaron Taylor-Johnson. “Someone messaged me yesterday with some information which I cannot share because they would likely give it away. But he will be strongly considered if not already selected.”

The Bond information “came from someone I’ve been texting with for years, and it gave me information about things that happened in the past,” she says. “The Glastonbury information came out of the blue from someone I don’t really know.” So she distinguishes “something from reliable to not very reliable” or not knowingly reliable.

Picture:
Aaron Taylor-Johnson: The next 007? Credit: `/Lee Jin-man

Recently, mentions of Styles and Wilde in their messages following their split have increased. “People think they’re faking separated,” she says. “So there is interest in it.”

As the account has grown, she now has several people who she considers to be trusted sources of information. “I won’t give a number, but [I have] a handful of people that I specifically trust.”

With 1.7 million followers, there must be a sense of responsibility? She says there are certain issues and celebrities she won’t share information about. “I don’t like to post about anyone’s sexuality unless it’s been publicly discussed. And anything to do with anyone under the age of 18. Also…I really wouldn’t feel comfortable posting about things rehab related. “

They also share information that could have legal implications – but sometimes pass the information on to journalists for investigation. And there are five individual celebrities you won’t see in DeuxMoi posts, either, she says — two, she says, have expressed their feelings publicly, and three with whom she’s had private conversations.

But there are celebrities and brands who want to be associated with DeuxMoi; The brand she’s built has garnered her invitations to all sorts of exclusive events. She says she doesn’t accept it. “I’ve been to restaurants in New York that are frequented by celebrities that I post about all the time, I’ve sat very close to celebrities that I’ve DMed (direct messages) and it didn’t make me feel good. “

The celebrities on the DeuxMoi Nice List

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Image: Richard Shotwell/Invision/`

After the release of Anon Pls, a novel based on the story of DeuxMoi that mixes stories of fictional celebrities with real ones, now there’s the TV show to prepare for. “It’s produced by Greg Berlanti”, [The Flight Attendant, Batwoman, Free Guy, Dawson’s Creek] She says. “They are securing authors in the process and the person I was named I can’t tell who because it’s not 100% signed, sealed and delivered. But it’s exciting, so cool.”

DeuxMoi ends the interview with the question everyone who works in the entertainment industry is always asked: Which celebs are the good guys? Again caveating that these aren’t based on her own experiences but on positive information, she rolls out a list of names: “Drew Barrymore, Paris Hilton, Hugh Jackman, Mark Ruffalo, Julianne Moore… I don’t know if this will be controversial.” supposed to, but Will Smith, he’s always been somebody who always put up stories about him and him [seemed] how really, really nice to people he would meet.

“Tom Cruise, another one who is acting very professionally and in the same way. Oh, and of course Harry Styles. Those are the ones that stand out in my opinion. Colin Farrell, he’s a name that keeps coming up. Oh and Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe. The Harry Potter kids, always nice. And the Jonas Brothers.”

But, she adds, one has to consider, “What kind of environment… is it a red carpet event? Of course a celebrity will be nice at a red carpet event!”

And DeuxMoi is diplomatic about the not-so-nice ones, choosing not to name names. “I have had no personal experience with these people. Someone could have caught her on a bad day, you know what I mean? We’re all human, aren’t we?”

You have to read the posts and decide for yourself.