Starting Today, you won’t be getting any status updates on the lives of Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, or P. Diddy. The reason: They’re all committing online suicide on as a show of solidarity for those who have died of AIDS in Africa and India, signing off from all social networks until fans “buy back their digital lives” by donating to the Keep A Child Alive fund. Even Twitter and Facebook? Even Twitter and Facebook. Desperate times, etc. etc.
Celebrities participating in the campaign (which kicks off on Dec. 1, World AIDS Day) in addition to those previously named: Kim Kardashian, Ryan Seacrest, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Jennifer Hudson, Khloe Kardashian, Jay Sean, Swizz Beatz, Serena Williams, The Buried Life, Elijah Wood, Janelle Monae, Kimberly Cole, David LaChapelle, Daphne Guinness and Bronson Pelletier. In a statement, the charity’s co-founder Alicia Keys says, “The ‘digital deaths’ of these high profile personalities from the film, television, music and fashion worlds, will hopefully make people aware that the importance placed on one of our favorite celebs is also the attention needed for the millions suffering in Africa and India.” (Even if those millions suffering don’t have opinions on the new Flo Rida album.)
The campaign includes these somewhat-creepy coffin photos, commemorating the staggering loss of digital life and Kim Kardashian’s inability to not pose like that, even in death. Give generously and let’s exhume Elijah Wood, et al.