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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Rosaleen Fenton

Avril Lavigne now - engagement, banned from Malaysia and chilling conspiracy theory

If you're a fan of Avril Lavigne, you most likely think of her hit songs 'Complicated' or 'Sk8tr Boy'

In the early noughties, it was impossible to get about without hearing the Canadian pop singers' dulcet tones on the radio.

But unlike most of her fellow artists, she became the subject of a rather unusual rumour - that she had died and been replaced by a clone.

The conspiracy theory has persisted - with online speculators insisting that the singer was replaced by a clone in 2003, who was called Melissa.

The outlandish rumour still persists today - just as the 37-year-old announced she is engaged to pop-punk singer Mod Sun.

One fan wrote: "Avril Lavigne isn’t engaged because she’s dead and this Avril is a CLONE."

As with most unrealistic fantasies, it began on Twitter.

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Avril recently got engaged (Getty Images)

Devotees of the daft idea say that Avril struggled with the attention she suddenly faced after becoming a famous pop star at just 18 years old.

They claim she then became friendly with lookalike Melissa Vandella and brought her to the studio, where she taught her to sing like her.

The bonkers theory - which must be taken with the largest grain of salt - claims Melissa took the heat off Avril, by posing as her at public events.

If you've been able to suspend your disbelief so far, congratulations.

Then in 2003, the crazy theory claims Avril then died and was replaced with Melissa by her record label.

Deluded believerz say today's Avril is shorter, has different arm blemishes and once sported the name Melissa on her hand in a photoshoot.

Previous theorists have also claimed that Paul McCartney was replaced with a lookalike after a car crash and that Taylor Swift is, in fact, the clone of a former satanic priestess.

Understandably, these don't stand up to much scrutiny either.

The Canadian singer was once banned from performing in Malaysia - but it was reversed (AFP via Getty Images)

Banned from Malaysia

In 2008, she was banned from performing in Malaysia because she was deemed too sexy.

The arts, culture and heritage ministry said it was unsuitable for their culture and could not be held in Kuala Lumpur on August 29, two days before the country's independence day.

But just a few days later, the decision was reversed, as the culture, arts and heritage Minister, Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal said he would "monitor" the show instead.

Engagement

The 37-year-old Canadian star shared the news on Instagram after the musician popped the question in Paris.

She was previously married to Sum 41 musician Deryck Whibley and Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger.

The singer's most recent relationship was reported to be with billionaire Phillip Sarofim.

She said the American, 35, popped the question in Paris during a romantic boat trip down the River Seine on March 27.

Fans gushed over her heart-shaped diamond ring.

She told People magazine: "It was the most perfect, romantic proposal I could ever ask for."

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