Morrissey’s representatives have moved to have a viral parody post taken down. The post was shared by MozPosting, an Instagram account dedicated to the iconic singer. It claimed to feature a list of the singer’s supposed enemies under the title ‘The Malefactors’, naming figures such as Johnny Marr, Anthony Kiedis, Princess Diana, Thom Yorke, and Miley Cyrus, among others.
Following the removal, the account behind the post issued a statement clarifying the nature of the content and expressing their reaction to the situation.
“This account is and has always been intended as satire, and the post was a parody, but I don’t want to create any unnecessary issues,” the account said. “Thank you to everyone who enjoyed the joke while it lasted. To everyone messaging asking if my previous story is a joke….. unfortunately, it isn’t. I’m genuinely devastated.”
The statement went on to address the account’s original intentions and the personal impact of the situation.
“I’m a huge fan of the man’s music, and this whole situation has been incredibly disheartening,” they continued. “I created this page out of appreciation and to share a few laughs in difficult times, because goodness knows we could all use them. It was never intended to cause harm.”
The parody post gained significant traction online before being taken down. No further official statement has been issued at this time.
The swift response from Morrissey’s camp is hardly surprising. The singer has a long and well-documented history of public disputes, feuds, and controversies — a reputation that made the parody feel plausible enough to spread rapidly across social media before many users caught on to its satirical nature.
The inclusion of Johnny Marr on the fictional enemies list was particularly pointed. Morrissey and his former Smiths bandmate have remained publicly at odds for years. Their relationship never fully recovered after the band’s dissolution in 1987. The rift has played out in interviews and public statements over the decades, making Marr a natural — if uncomfortable — choice for any parody targeting Morrissey’s famously combative persona.
Marr has previously addressed the possibility of a Smiths reunion, rejecting the idea of touring under the Smiths name without Morrissey’s full involvement. The two have not performed together since the band’s breakup, and any prospect of a reconciliation has remained firmly off the table.
Beyond his history with Marr, Morrissey has courted controversy on numerous fronts over the years. His outspoken political statements and polarising interviews have repeatedly divided his fanbase. That backdrop gave the parody list an air of credibility that helped fuel its viral spread before it was identified as satire.
The episode highlights the fine line fan accounts walk when creating satirical content around divisive public figures. MozPosting’s experience serves as a reminder that even well-intentioned parody can carry real consequences when it gains enough momentum to blur the line between fiction and fact.
