SOLVED!
[Media Take Out] We just received word that a VERY popular African American celebrity – who has recently been in the news – now has what is being described as AIDS. Obviously since we are not able to 100% confirm the story – we’re going to leave it as a Blind Item. We want to make it clear we are NOT talking about Magic Johnson.
This report really hurt our heart.
According to a person extremely close to the situation, the celebrity, who is known for having a very extreme sexual past reportedly contracted the illness sometime in the 1990s. He kept the illness quiet but began taking his medication religiously up until about 2 years ago. Here’s what we’re told by a VERY trusted entertainment insider:
[The celebrity] believed that he was cured, and he had some crazy [religious] people who told him that God cured him. So he stopped taking his medication and the sickness came back. Now doctors say he’s dying, and there is nothing anyone can do about it.
We’re told that the celebrity is expected to get sicker and sicker, and eventually pass. It can happen as soon as the summer.
Very sad news.
Similar: Superstar Is HIV-positive
Celebrity:
[Optional] Surprised or not surprised?
SOLVED!
Celebrity: Prince
Prince died of AIDS just three days after we ran this blind item.
While most of the conversations about Prince’s demise have centered around reports of a recent flu and a recent drug overdose, those issues do not tell the full story.
Prince had AIDS. He had suffered with the illness for many years. Those close to him knew both of his illness and his desire to keep it a secret.
In the past few days, multiple sources have confirmed different parts of the AIDS story.
People Magazine hedged its bets by simply referring to it as a “serious and ongoing illness” “which made his immune system weak”:
Prince May Have Struggled with a ‘Serious Illness’ Before Sudden Death, Source Says: ‘People Close to Him Were Very Concerned’
A source who worked with him a few years ago believes he was grappling with a serious and ongoing illness at the time.
“The people close to him were very concerned for his health and indicated he’d been undergoing treatments which made his immune system weak,” the source tells People.
The National Enquirer and Radar Online (owned by the same parent company) have been much more direct.
From The National Enquirer:
Prince — Agonizing Final Days After AIDS Diagnosis
Rock star Prince was diagnosed with AIDS just six months before his death — but refused medical treatment, believing he could be cured by prayer!
From Radar Online:
Prince AIDS Shocker: Iconic Singer Was ‘Preparing To Die’
Prince shocked the world when he collapsed and died at age 57 in the elevator of his Chanhassen, Minn., recording studio Thursday, but an insider exclusively told The National ENQUIRER that the megastar was “preparing to die for a little while” — because he had been diagnosed with AIDS!
A music industry source interviewed by The ENQUIRER messaged friends on April 19 to reveal Prince had full-blown AIDS. “He was in bad shape,” the source revealed.
“Doctors told Prince his blood count was unusually low and that his body temperature had dropped dangerously below the normal 98.6 degrees to 94 degrees,” said the source.
“He was totally iron-deficient, very weak and often disoriented. He rarely ate and when he did, it all came right back up.”
In another bombshell revelation, a well-placed insider said Prince had been making runs to a local pharmacy to pick up bags of prescriptions to quell the unbearable pain he was suffering from what was reported to be influenza.
An employee at the Walgreens that served Prince told The Enquirer, “We were all just shocked that he came in last night looking so beat. We said, ‘We are praying for you.’”
Prince’s response? “He said, almost under his breath, ‘Maybe if you prayed for me a year ago it’d be different right now.’ Then he waved and said thanks anyway.”
According to the worker, Prince often picked up his own meds and toiletries at the drugstore chain near his Paisley Park estate.
“The last night, though, we sensed he was in trouble. One girl said he had foreign medication and thought it was Zika virus or something, but my friend who knows the meds says he’s sure it was HIV meds.”
“I wouldn’t say he’s like a part of the family but he came in and always showed interest in us,” added the employee of Prince.
And now the Prince’s loved ones are showing interest in hiding the true cause of his death. According to the insider, Prince’s family is already banging on coroner’s door and demanding officials heavily redact any public autopsy report “to spare family, friends and fans” any information “about his lifestyle that’s sure to come.”
Yes, we knew that the original blind item was about Prince. Some of you figured out that the specific photo we chose of Magic Johnson contained several clues about the subject of the story.
First, and most obviously, Magic Johnson was mentioned in the blind item as a celebrity who is HIV positive.
Second, before moving to L.A., the Los Angeles Lakers were the Minneapolis Lakers. Prince was born in Minneapolis, and his home/studio, Paisley Park, is just southwest of Minneapolis.
Finally, we remembered a photo of Prince as a member of his High School’s basketball team in which he was posed in a similar uniform. Just a kid on a basketball team who would grow up to be a music icon.
Bmj524 was first with the correct response.
Thanks to those of you who shared your memories of growing up with Prince’s music. It was extraordinary, wasn’t it?
mittenkitten says
I’m just praying this isn’t Prince.
rostada says
Prince.
Carolyn says
Prince.
guccishel says
Going with Prince but REALLY hoping it’s not.
Marina says
Prince
bostonbratt says
Kat Williams? 50Cent?
Not surprised at anything but feel bad
abetty98 says
I don’t know, but Prince comes to mind off the top of my head. Not surprised, but very sad regardless of who it is.
themomica says
Prince
or Bill Cosby but not sure that would be so sad
TracieKnits says
JUST A GUESS –
I hope it’s not Prince. But he was recently in the news as having his plane make an emergency medical stop, and he’s very religious.
MerryB says
Dennis Rodman
missmarian says
Prince.
Was in news for being rushed to hospital with flu – like symptoms. He’s a Jehova’s Witness and they can be very against modern medicine.
Really Sad. Not terribly surprised.
carriebradshaw says
Bobby Brown?
xiopio says
Bill Cosby?
stanton says
Martin Lawrence
canadia99 says
Prince.
So sad.
RedGirl77 says
WHAT?????? Prince? NOOOOOOOOO!!!! God, that’s so incredibly sad. I hope this isn’t true.
PinkFlamingo says
Kobe Bryant?
jonesing says
Prince-Jehovaha’s Witnesses are doing him no favors. Loved that guy since the first time I saw him on The Midnight Special in the late 70’s.
next please says
Maybe Dennis Rodman?
dcbroome says
OJ?
ilovepenguins7 says
Celebrity: Prince
unfortunately, not too surprised. 🙁
dynamodavid says
Wow!
Celebrity doesn’t necessarily mean actor.
This could be a musician, athlete, etc.
Recently in the news…..
Could be anyone.
Prince?
Bill Cosby?
bengalcat says
Prince
sublimeLime says
How awful…
chicagogirl says
Prince?
susied says
Prince ?
dittobelle says
Prince
kookywooky says
Not Prince 🙁
Vanessa501 says
This sounds like Prince hence the ‘religion’ being mentioned and he has been in the press recently being ‘taken ill’ on a flight ?
Amanda says
Prince
nutmeg24 says
Prince? I hope to God I’m wrong!
For some reason, I’m very surprised.
daisydo says
For some reason Prince comes to mind…..
bostonmark says
Prince
athena says
Dennis Rodman?
I was in high school and college in the 90’s and remember a time when you couldn’t avoid reading about him and some kind of outrageous behavior. I wouldn’t be surprised but it is still a sad situation-for anyone, celebrity or not.
lilmama says
Prince
Surprised only because he seemed invincible. Very sad news
OCKatalyst says
My guess is Kat Williams….he’s going off the rails, like Charlie Sheen did.
JamesSpear says
I’d say Prin ce.
bhakti says
Eddie Murphy?
Gosh, whoever it is, I sent them loving energy.
bhakti says
Changing my guess. I think it might be Prince. I hope it’s not Eddie or Prince.
MinnieMe says
Prince?
mamasaid says
my husband was with me when i found out Michael Jackson died, i was in shock. Then sometime after, to pull my leg, he told me Prince died and I believed him, but after a Google search, I realized he was joking. It became a running joke, every once in a while he’d say, By the way, Prince died.
People don’t realize what a powerhouse he was, I think he can play like 15 different instruments.
ghostrider44 says
what a powerhouse he is….
COWPIE says
By the way, Prince died.
silimom says
Bill Cosby? Although I’m not sure he’s all that popular right now but he has been. Also his sexual past certainly has been extreme.
mamasaid says
this is Prince Roger Nelson. Too bad.
adnerb79 says
The only person I see in the news recently is the one named Prince. But I am hoping that it isn’t him. His plane landing in my hometown for an emergency just happened last week. Other then that guess, I’ll have to wait to see others guesses
adnerb79 says
Prince is also a Jehovah witness so the gods curing him could be a hint.
taxi123 says
Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t believe in miraculous healings. W
CatBallou says
Prince?
alexag says
Prince.
It’s just sad, no one is invincible – fame means nothing to illness
Rottweiler says
Tiger Woods?
janewhere12 says
Rick James? Prince?
crack is whack says
It would truly blow my mind into little bits if it turned out to be Rick James, him being dead and all that 😉
mystic1 says
Rick James? He died more than a decade ago.
jasper says
Rick died years ago, BUT as someone noted above, Dave Chappelle had a skit about those two meeting that included Prince playing basketball in his heeled shoes.
VT1415 says
Dennis Rodman?
scootaloo says
My guess is Prince.
KWDragon says
Katt Williams?
His erratic behavior of late is pretty worrisome, but I’m not sure how “very” popular he is.
nc2txprincess says
Please, sweet baby Jesus, please don’t be Prince!
krpstr says
Eddie Murphy
jenvies says
Prince?
Whoever it is, it is sad. We all need to be reminded to practice safe sex. I think we thought we had AIDS down for the count.
Alllie says
prince for sure. he is very religious
Lebowski says
Eddie Murphy?
EdenBxl says
Bill Cosby?
AuntieMama says
Prince?
Rae1977 says
Prince
jonty30 says
That’s sad.
Life has consequences and I’m sorry somebody has to face this sort of consequence.
wfreshie says
prince maybe…sad for whoever this is
jennydkelly says
Dennis Rodman
Kerzep says
Bill Cosby comes to mind because of the “in the news” and “extreme sexual past” comments.
blondie929 says
Prince….heartbreaking 🙁
loremi says
I hope this isn’t Prince. (Hint: crazy religious stuff, plus he had some strange mystery ailment the other day and had to be rushed to the hospital.)
kacie24 says
Prince?
Junior Mint says
Dennis Rodman?
zipperpull says
Sadly, I believe this is Prince.
jagerlilly says
Cosby? Karmic justice?
baronsameday says
Prince 🙁
tuckerlee123 says
Prince
beckyl20 says
I have a feeling this is Prince
Pinky310 says
I feel like this is Bill Cosby with all the rape allegations
chicagogirl says
I thought Cosby at first too, but then I wondered who would actually feel sad if he had any illness at all given what he got away with for years? If anything, I believe people would say the punishment is too little, too late at his age.
Prince fits because he is not currently involved in any scandal that I know of, and he maintains his status as a well-respected musician. His performance has always incorporated overt sexuality, but he is also a devout Jehovah’s Witness.
camellia says
I get what you’re trying to say about Cosby, but no illness should be looked at as “punishment”. AIDS is a really awful disease that still has a stigma around it and saying things like that only perpetuate that.
mcwitch says
My guess is Prince, just in the news for illness
maggie may says
Prince? But I really hope not….
irissarcasm says
Prince?
lesliemjensen says
Omg, PRINCE???
Molly7111 says
Celebrity: Kobe Bryant, if it’s an athlete; Idris Elba, if it’s an actor
scootypuffjr says
My mind went to Prince. His plane had to make an emergency landing because he needed medical treatment, I think. I really hope I’m wrong.
Alcott says
My bets are on Prince.
cjh140913 says
Prince
legalista says
Please don’t be Prince! Please don’t be Prince!
draconius25 says
IDK Bill Cosby?
mrsroh says
Prince?
momonthego says
Eddie Murphy
txredhd says
Prince
Ylstacy says
Prince?
Laughing1 says
Hmmmm…….Prince?
uean008 says
Thinking this is Prince. Was a hyper sexualized musician for many years and then became devout Jehovah’s Witness. Was rushed to hospital and made emergency landing just in the past week
afterglow says
Prince?
CanaryCry says
Dennis Rodman? I wouldn’t be surprised, but it still would be a shame.
Bill Cosby? Even if I think he’s a jerk, I would be surprised.
ghostrider44 says
Please don’t let this be Prince!
Seahawks12 says
Celebrity: Lamar Odom
[Optional] Surprised or not surprised? Not surprised, but I’ll bet all the guys Khloe’s bedded are sweating bullets.
mrsjaymack says
Idk, my first thought was Kobe. Second guess is Will Smith bc of the religious-group comment.
QubbuQ says
Celebrity: I think it’s Prince
Surprised? Yeah, I didn’t think he was overly sexual in practice, just his music made it seem so.
He’s been quite odd and religious and there was a story recently that Kevin Smith told about working to make a documentary with Prince that never panned out and he found out that Prince films all sort of music videos for stuff that will never see the light of day. I wonder if it’s part of preparations for posthumous releases.
QubbuQ says
Also, Prince was taken to the hospital very recently for something then went to the park to show people his guitar and that he was ok and not dead yet.
weknowsitall says
I am so hopeful that this isn’t true. Sad news for whoever it is, but Prince . . .
breezyjay says
Wow @ the never-before-seen videos. I hope he’s okay. ?
jasper says
Kevin Smith – I think that was the first “Evening With…” he told that story about why he used The Time on JSBSB. So it’s been years since he did that dvd, and that was far from the first time he told that story.
missmissy says
He was pretty active in the 80s and 90’s. He actually had a reputation if I remember correctly.
junk4leida says
Lamar Odom
Honestly I’m not surprised. I am sad because I feel like deep down he’s a good person… The fame just really messed with his head.
hrhfedup says
I have to agree with you. He was a Laker, like the image above and he’s been really reckless with his behavior.
bananas says
Oh sh**. This better not be Prince!! He was sick on a plane the other day and had an emergency landing. Here go Hell come.
bananas says
…he’s an incredible basket ball player ☹️?
bananas says
…AND he’s a Jehovas Witness. Oh dear
redstilettos says
Don’t think it says the person is a basketball player.
PrincessTiff says
The basketball reference could point to the skit Dave chapelle did. It was something about prince, pancakes and basketball (if my spotty memory serves me)
Wifabif says
No, but there IS that famous Chapelle Show sketch where they play basketball. Shirts vs blouses ?
I really hope it’s not Prince ? that would be heartbreaking…
Grande Queso says
“Here go hell come” is one of the best lines ever! lol! My husband and I still say it to each other all the time.
BubbaGump says
Bill Cosby.
jennywankenobi says
Prince
HistFicAuthor says
I don’t know why but Bill Cosby immediately came to mind…
BennyLavaandtheJets says
Me too!
But then I thought that it probably isn’t him. If it were, one or more of the 274 woman accusing him of rape would also be saying he gave her HIV, right?
Since that hasn’t even been a whisper, we can most likely rule him out.
Vampira says
I certainly hope that Cosby isn’t that popular any more.
MamaMill says
Me too especially when it stated that they are keeping the item Blind. Cosby is legally blind.
bmj524 says
Prince was recently in the news as being ill so I’m going with him as my guess. It’s very sad whoever it is.
Squeezes99 says
I think this is correct. It’s sad that we’re seeing new celebrities with HIV and AIDS. It means that people are forgetting that there is still no cure and we all have to continue to be vigilant.
good2know says
Oh my god. I will be so sad if this is correct. ?
jasper says
I was going to say Eddie, but this makes more sense. The Purple One recently diverted his plane from down south to Minneapolis over to Chicago for an emergency landing due to “health issues”.
Isn’t he a Jehovah’s Witness, too? that would be the religious angle.
missmissy says
Nice guess. He is also very religious, so he would be inclined to receive advise from a religious leader.
KyrasMaMa says
This is Prince for sure – and now I’m wondering if Vanity had AIDS as well. She recently passed with a mysterious “long-time” illness that was never really talked about. I’m betting she truly passed from AIDS complications, which would also explain why she became so religious once she left Prince.
pinkmarie says
Vanity was also a heroin addict most of her life. She also dated Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
yojohnson says
Vanity had Kidney failure
Qitta Aswad says
That’s exactly what I was thinking. I’ve had two high school friends pass away within a decade from complications due to AIDS, and both of them experienced organ failure, finally dying when their kidneys shut down. It crossed my mind when I heard that Vanity was a heroin addict and now I’m really inclined to believe that both she and Prince died of AIDS with one probably getting it from the other.
MamaMill says
someone has died at the Prince Estate but not saying who it was.
stanton says
Prince and he just died
JA.snoopy says
yea.. that is very sad news. 🙁
katheryn says
He has just died, how sad.
throwsumshade says
Just read he passed away so this could be about him.
taracu says
Prince is dead. That was quick.
I was expecting to see it solves when I logged on today.
RIP
kelno19 says
Considering the devastating news today, it had to be Prince. RIP Purple One
kcphilly says
Looks like this is true. Wow Prince passes 3 days after this comes out, gave me chills. Very sad.
wfreshie says
could be prince,,,he died todat 4/21/2016
whowassheilahgraham says
This is horrible. Thanks for the warning, Ace. He was the last of the best.
ms_taken says
RIP Prince. What a great entertainer he was
Vinnie says
And one of the Lakers colors is purple! Ugh… Too bad. And must have broke BG yesterday, I couldn’t find your page!! 😉
Qitta Aswad says
I believe he died of AIDS as well. Very sad!
doodles says
Several thoughts after researching Prince’s death for the past few days.
I find it interesting that this post was started on 4/18/16 as was his last tweet as well as his last Instagram which once stated “Just when you thought you were safe.” (The caption was posthumously deleted). Is this coincidental?
We now know he had chronic mouth (thrush, esophageal candidiasis) and stomach pain, weight loss, decreased appetite, decreased food and water intake, frequent vomiting and nausea, hip…
doodles says
Sorry Prince’s last Instagram was on the 14th. The day of the Atlanta trip and the plane flight/hospitalization. My bad on the date. That makes me feel better. 🙂