In the wake of Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, here are celebrities who have left Twitter

Updated on November 26, 2022 10:53 AM by Andrew Koschiev

Several celebrities are leaving Twitter following Elon Musk's takeover of the social media platform. Musk closed the US$44 billion deal to buy Twitter at the end of October, causing some people to worry about what the billionaire will do with the service. Shonda Rhimes, a screenwriter, producer, and showrunner, helped start the trend at the end of October with this tweet: "Not hanging around for what Elon has planned. Bye." Rhimes was just one of several who recently gave up on the platform.

Online chatter last month indicated some stars would leave Musk's platform after the deal closed, concerned about what the billionaire might do. According to one research group, there has been a rise in hate speech on Twitter since Musk finalized the US$44 billion deal. In the 12 hours after the deal, the use of the N-word increased by nearly 500 percent. Musk is known as a "free speech absolutist" and is already creating a Twitter council to promote diversity in content moderation.

Screenwriter for television Shonda Rhimes

(Image Credits: The Hollywood Reporter)

It has been announced that Grey's Anatomy and Bridgerton creator Shonda Rhimes is exiting the platform. Rhimes, who has almost two million followers, tweeted on October 29 that she will not be sticking around for whatever Elon plans.

Songwriter and singer Sara Bareilles

That same day, Bareilles also announced her resignation from Twitter. Her tweet read: "Welp. It's been fun Twitter. I'm out. Please come across me on other platforms. Sorry, this isn't my cup of tea."

Actor, producer, and director Ken Olin

He also said he was stepping away from social media. He tweeted, "I am out of here. No judgment."

R&B singer Toni Braxton

Despite her shock and epaulement at some of the content, she has seen since Musk took over Twitter, Toni Braxton has decided to stay away from the platform as it has become "no longer a safe space" for herself, her children, and other people of color.

Tea Leoni is an American actress

Madam Secretary star has announced her departure from Twitter and deleted her Twitter account. The platform, she wrote, revealed a lot of hate and things going in the wrong direction. She added, "Love, kindness, and possibilities for you all".

The American showrunner Brian Koppelman

Billions showrunner Koppelman also left the platform. When he told his followers, he had abandoned Twitter. He told them to check out Instagram and TikTok instead. He said: "You guys, come find me over there and talk. I'm going to try to take a break from here for a few weeks when the deal closes."

Filmmaker and actor Alex Winter is a British-American

His Twitter account appears to have also been blank, and his tweet history seems to have been erased. The Bill & Ted star's bio, which states: "Not here. IG: @alxwinter", is another sign that Mark Zuckerberg's platforms are taking advantage of Musk's departure from Twitter.

Retired pilot Captain Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger

A fan pointed out the difficulty in verifying if he was the real Captain Sully or an impersonator. Several other platforms where followers could find him were listed by a pilot-turned-author on November 9. "It only took about five clicks to see you were Captain Sully, so I think that seems reasonable," the user wrote.

Actress, comedian, author, and television personality Whoopi Goldberg

According to an episode of The View she co-hosts in early November, Goldberg said she would leave Twitter if things settled down and she felt more comfortable.

Model, entrepreneur, founder, and creator, Gigi Hadid

In an Instagram story, the fashion model said she'd deactivate her Twitter account to protest Twitter's direction under Musk's leadership. "I've deactivated my Twitter account today," she wrote. It's been turning into a cesspool of hate and bigotry for a long time, but especially under its new leadership, and I'd rather not be a part of it anymore," she wrote.

An American actress named Amber Heard

Users noticed her Twitter account had been deactivated on November 1, even though she did not give a reason or announce her departure. It is unclear why Heard left Twitter. She ended her relationship a year after dating "Chief Twit" Musk.

Journalist and author of mostly nonfiction books, Erik Larsen

NBC News reported in April that Larson, the comic book creator behind The Amazing Spider-Man, was not planning to remain with Twitter if Musk bought the company. Larsen confirmed his departure to NBC News via email on October 31, after his handle appeared to have been deactivated.

Former professional wrestler and actor Mick Foley

According to the former wrestler's official Facebook account, "I am taking a break from Twitter because of the misinformation and hatred it seems to be spreading". Continuing his post, Foley encouraged fans to be kind and let them know he would still be active on Facebook and Instagram.

Author and actress Jenny Slate

Her Instagram post on November 12 announced that she had deactivated her Twitter account after voicing Marcel The Shell With Shoes On and appearing in Obvious Child. "Bye! FYI, if someone says they are me, they aren't," Slate wrote in the caption. "Unless it's me." But I'm no longer there, so to be clear, it's not me."