Avril Lavigne addresses conspiracy theory that she was replaced with body double named Melissa over 20 years ago

Avril Lavigne is putting to rest the bizarre fan theory claiming she was replaced by a body double named Melissa.

Rumors have circulated for years suggesting that the punk princess, 39, passed away in 2003, shortly after the release of her debut album, Let Go, and was subsequently replaced by a doppelgänger named Melissa.

‘I mean, it’s just funny to me,’ the Canadian songstress said on Wednesday’s Call Her Daddy podcast.

‘On one end, everyone’s like, “Oh, my God, you look the exact same. You haven’t aged a day.”‘ But then, other people are like, there’s a conspiracy theory that I’m not me.’

She added: ‘Honestly, it’s not that bad. It could be worse, right? I feel like I got a good one. I don’t feel like it’s negative. It’s nothing creepy.’

Both Avril and podcast host Alex Cooper found themselves overcome with laughter as they delved into the enduring theory.

Avril then quipped, ‘Obviously I am me, it’s so dumb.’

Although there’s some uncertainty about the exact origins of the conspiracy theory, it traces back to the early 2000s on various internet forums.

The theory suggests Lavigne hired a body double for public appearances out of exhaustion from fame.

It proposes she passed away between her 2002 album Let Go and 2004’s Under My Skin, leading the record company to replace her with Melissa.

In 2017, the conspiracy theory found fresh traction when a thread on X brought forward various supposed indicators of Lavigne’s replacement.

Some of the ‘clues’ highlighted include changes in the singer’s appearance over the years and a photo shoot for her album Under My Skin in 2004, where the name ‘Melissa’ seemed to be scribbled on her hand.

The Call Me Daddy podcast isn’t the first time the pop star has addressed the Melissa body double theory.

Back in 2022, the subject was brought up in an interview with Galore.

‘Doesn’t everyone constantly say that I literally look the same as I always have?’ she began at the time. ‘It’s funny because everyone says I look the same, but then there’s that.

‘That doesn’t make any sense. Also, how random? When people bring it up — and it’s been brought up to me for, like, years — that there’s this conspiracy theory that I’m not me or something? I’m a clone?

‘I don’t know, it’s just the weirdest rumor.’

In the same interview, Avril discussed her past relationships and dealing with infidelity. 

When asked if she’s ever been cheated on, the singer hilariously replied: ‘Have I been with a male before? Then the answer is yes!’

‘That’s just if anyone’s ever f**ked me over, which has happened a f**k ton. I’ve always just been the classy b**ch who’s taken the high road and kept it to myself,’ the Complicated hitmaker said.

Avril, who was last linked with rapper Tyga, has had notable relationships in the past.

She was married to Canadian musician Deryck Whibley from 2006 to 2010 and later to Chad Kroeger from 2013 to 2015.

In February 2023, her engagement to singer Mod Sun ended after 10 months.

Throughout the years, she’s been romantically associated with Brody Jenner, J.R. Rotem, Phillip Sarofim, and Pete Jonas.

However, the singer has not disclosed her current relationship status.

The hitmaker, known for her chart-topping hits like Girlfriend and Sk8er Boi from the Noughties era, recently revealed her plans to drop a Greatest Hits album this summer.

The compilation is set to include 20 of her most beloved tracks.