In a dramatic shake-up of social media metrics, some of the world's biggest celebrities are witnessing a massive decline in their follower counts on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. This is the result of a sweeping, platform-wide purge of bot and inactive accounts ordered under the ownership of Elon Musk.
Staggering Losses for Global Icons
The clean-up operation, which gained serious momentum in mid-November 2025, has exposed how inflated many long-standing follower numbers truly were. The losses are not minor dips but represent millions of vanished followers for the platform's most prominent accounts.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the world's most-followed athlete, was among the hardest hit. His official account shed approximately 9 million followers in a single week, falling from around 115 million to roughly 106 million.
Pop and business mogul Rihanna also took a major hit, losing an estimated 8 to 10 million followers. Her count has now slipped below the 100 million mark, landing near 98 million. The purge effectively cleared out millions of inactive fans who had not engaged with her content in years.
Other major casualties include:
- Justin Bieber: Lost a staggering 20 million followers so far in 2025 alone, sliding to about 91.4 million.
- Taylor Swift: Faced a surprising decline of 6 million followers, landing on 80 million.
- Katy Perry: Saw a reduction of about 3 to 5 million followers.
- Kim Kardashian: Lost more than 6 million followers, now sitting around 68.9 million.
Even political figures like Barack Obama and other celebrities including Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, and Selena Gomez all saw visible reductions in their follower numbers.
Why Is This Happening Now?
The primary driver is X's renewed commitment to platform authenticity under Elon Musk. The company is aggressively removing dormant accounts, spam bots, and fake profiles en masse. For high-profile accounts that have existed for over a decade, this means stripping away years of accumulated "zombie" followers.
Furthermore, X's 2025 algorithm updates now heavily prioritize real interactions and actively demote low-engagement accounts. This creates a feedback loop where celebrities who post infrequently, like Rihanna, see inactive followers weeded out at an accelerated rate. The platform now demands continuous activity to maintain visibility.
Ironically, while global icons lose millions, Elon Musk's own account, which is highly active, has reportedly continued to gain followers and now sits at approximately 229 million.
The Bigger Picture: A Platform in Transition
This purge is more than just a numbers game; it highlights significant, lasting shifts. Since Musk's 2022 acquisition and the 2023 rebrand to X, the platform has experienced a gradual user exodus. Reports from Similarweb indicate monthly active users have dropped by around 15%, with many citing concerns over misinformation and hate speech.
High-profile users, including R&B icon Toni Braxton and comedian Jim Carrey, have quit the platform entirely, with many migrating to alternatives like Bluesky.
However, this purge is not necessarily a permanent blow to the celebrities' status. Industry consensus suggests this is a cyclical, necessary cleaning of house, not an indicator of fading star power. Rihanna remains an entertainment powerhouse, and Cristiano Ronaldo is still the planet's most-followed footballer. Their cultural relevance is not measured in fake accounts.
Moving forward, the onus is on celebrities and their digital teams to recalibrate. A period of increased genuine engagement—ramping up posts, collaborations, and direct interaction with fans—will be crucial to regain momentum. Quality must now triumph over pure quantity.
With Musk teasing more "health checks" into 2026, X signals a firm commitment to healthier metrics. The goal is a cleaner, more authentic platform where follower counts and viewership numbers represent real human beings, making it a better environment for users and a more trustworthy proposition for advertisers.
