S1E70: Avril-is-dead, Larry Stylinson and all the fandom conspiracies in between

Synopsis: Each month, The Straits Times examines the ins and outs of pop culture in the Asian entertainment and Hollywood scene. Is Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne dead? Are One Direction members Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson in a secret relationship? Has Chinese actor Zhang Zhehan been replaced by a body double? In this #PopVultures episode, tumble down host Jan Lee's favourite pop culture rabbit hole - bizarre fandom conspiracy theories. Highlights (tap/click above): 3:25 Examining pop culture conspiracy theories such as the Avril-is-dead conspiracy theory 7:52 What is shipping and why has it contributed to fandom conspiracy theories? 10:48 The Larry Stylinson ship and how it led to the Larry's-baby-is-fake conspiracy theory 19:19 The fake-Zhang Zhehan conspiracy theory 35:34 Thoughts on why fandom conspiracy theories gain traction - how it ties into social media and para-social relationships 42:44 Deepfake technology and how it breeds distrust 47:28 Final thoughts Produced by: Jan Lee ([email protected]), Penelope Lee & Eden Soh Edited by: Penelope Lee Follow #PopVultures Podcast episodes here every month:  Channel: https://str.sg/JWad Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaA Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaP  Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju47  SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Follow Jan Lee on Instagram: https://str.sg/Jbxc Read Jan Lee's stories: https://str.sg/Jbxp --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #PVSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.