Why Fans Were Concerned for Martha Stewart After Her Name Began Trending
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 29: Martha Stewart attends the 2023 Footwear News Achievement Awards at Cipriani South Street on November 29, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Footwear News via Getty Images)
In the early hours of Monday, Dec. 4, the name "Martha" began trending on Twitter—specifically, the phrase "RIP Martha"—leading some Martha Stewart fans to panic.
It's certainly a jarring hashtag to wake up to, with or without context, but as soon as one person's mind went to the homemaker, so did everyone else's, leading to a mass amount of concern over the Sports Illustrated Swim cover model's well-being.
One fan pointed out that Stewart had recently canceled her Thanksgiving dinner, noting how "scared" they were to "see that trending" after the unexpected change of plans, while a number of others called out folks for not being specific enough.
Saw "RIP Martha" trending and i REALLY thought ms Martha Stewart passed away like yall are so evil pic.twitter.com/2QYsFyoUeL
— magic_school_bus_dropout (@LColeman1998) December 4, 2023
I saw #RIPMARTHA and thought we lost Martha Stewart 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/e0choIi7NO
— PhnxRising (@phnxrising89) December 4, 2023
Y'all got to put last names, on these RIP post. @MarthaStewart I feel like you have to give a speech this morning and let us know you're so here.
— TAS (@TruthandSmiles) December 4, 2023
Others were impressed with Stewart's branding, observing how "as soon as #RIPMartha starts trending half the planet thinks Stewart has died" and expressing sorrow for any other Martha out there.
Imagine how well #MarthaStewart is branded that as soon as #RIPMartha starts trending half the planet thinks Stewart has died. I feel a little sorry for all the other Marthas. They seem so insignificant against this anklet wearing home & media mogul…
— mh-Musings (@entrespire) December 4, 2023
Someone else fell for the so-called "scam," assuring everyone that Stewart is alive and well after admitting they were about to send their love to her bestie Snoop Dogg.
🌻🦉🐘First thought Martha Stewart was about to send Condolences to Snoop D. It's a scam. Martha is A/W. https://t.co/FY9jP0jSR3
— Joyeta E.Anderson (@EJoyeta) December 4, 2023
But it wasn't so much a scam as it was a niche fandom moment for the Barbz—otherwise known as Nicki Minaj fans—leaving everyone else in the dark.
Martha Zolanski served as an alter ego of the Starships singer, and was also the mother of Roman Zolanski—another alter ego for Minaj, both of whom originated in the Pink Friday era and can be seen/heard in the music video for "Roman's Revenge."
Minaj stunned fans with the revelation during a q&a ahead of the release of the album's sequel, Pink Friday 2, replying to one question in particular that inquired about a potential return to the theatrics in the raps," to which Minaj replied, "Martha gone. u ain’t know?"
When someone else inquired, "NOOOO HOW DID SHE GO," Minaj shared, "Old age babe."
Well, RIP Martha—but, thankfully, not Stewart.
Next: Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart's Sweet Red Carpet Outing Proves They're Still the Best of Friends
