(RNN) – Taylor Lautner, star of the Twilight movie franchise, had his sexuality called into question by a fake People magazine cover circulating online claiming he is "out and proud."
The fake cover shows an image of the actor with a short synopsis, "Tired of rumors, the Twilight star opens up about his decision to finally come out. ‘I'm more liberated, and happier than I've ever been.'"
The cover and quote fooled even fellow celebrity and entrepreneur Russell Simmons, who took to Twitter to offer his congratulations to Lautner.
"Proud of Taylor Lautner for his bravery and his courage," Simmons said.
Later, after discovering the cover was a fake, Simmons once again tweeted his sentiments.
"Disappointed that people would joke about someone coming out about their sexuality. Let Taylor Lautner be whoever he wants to be …"
People has denied any involvement in the fake cover, fielding comments from many of Lautner's female fan base via Twitter.
In a November issue of GQ Australia, Lautner denied he was gay after being spotted with gay director Gus Van Sant and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black.
Tabloids have recently linked Lautner to actress Lily Collins, 22. He dated country singer Taylor Swift, 21, in 2009, even appearing with her in an episode of Saturday Night Live.
Copyright 2011 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.
Taylor Lautner said in the magazine GQ Australia that he is not gay. (Source: Wiki Commons)
After discovering the cover was fake, celebrity Russell Simmons took to Twitter. (Source: Twitter)
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and KSLA, a Raycom Media Station.
