After the death of Betty White on Dec. 31, 2021, internet users enthusiastically posted what appeared to be a photo of the television icon sticking up her middle finger for the cameras, in a gesture of mischief and defiance:
In recent years, that particular image, and slightly modified variations, had also appeared in social media memes, as well as merchandise like car decals and stickers:
In reality, though, it was a fake. In June 2009, White made the "rock on" hand gesture while appearing on the "#1 Countdown" show on the music TV network Fuse. That picture can be viewed in its proper, original context, via the website of the Getty photographic agency:
NEW YORK - JUNE 11: Actress Betty White visits Fuse's "No. 1 Countdown" at fuse Studios on June 11, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)Whoever created the "bird" versions simply applied some digital editing to White's hand.
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