The 'Avril Lavigne Is Dead' conspiracy, also known as the 'Melissa' theory, claims that the Canadian pop-punk star passed away in 2003 and was replaced by a lookalike named Melissa Vandella to maintain her commercial success. Originating from a Brazilian fan blog in 2011, the theory meticulously points to changes in Avril's skin, voice, and fashion as 'evidence' of the switch. Memes surrounding this topic typically use side-by-side photo comparisons or dramatic red circles and arrows to mock the absurdity of celebrity death hoaxes. It has become a legendary staple of internet lore, representing the chaotic and obsessive way online communities analyze every detail of a star's public evolution.