Introduction:
Willie Nelson Shuts Down Yet Another Death Hoax: “If You Believe Those AI Stories One More Time…”
Willie Nelson is very much alive — and he’s getting tired of the internet suggesting otherwise.
The 92-year-old country music legend took to social media on December 1 to address the latest wave of online death hoaxes, responding with humor, clarity, and a little bit of classic Willie charm. Posting a series of photos showing himself relaxing comfortably on a sofa, hair down and looking perfectly content, he wrote:
“If you believe those AI death stories one more time …”
In other words: Not today, internet.
The post was a direct jab at the flood of AI-generated fake news reports that frequently show up on social media, especially on Facebook. These posts often feature grainy or poorly edited images of celebrities accompanied by a dramatic “R.I.P.” headline — and Willie Nelson has been one of the most frequent targets. Many fans admit they’ve been fooled at least once by one of these images while scrolling quickly.
But Willie wants everyone to know he’s still here — and still laughing about it.
This isn’t the first time Nelson has been forced to address rumors of his own death. In fact, death hoaxes have followed him for more than a decade, sometimes popping up multiple times a year. He even turned the whole ordeal into a song: “Still Not Dead,” released in 2017, a tongue-in-cheek anthem poking fun at the constant speculation surrounding his mortality.
The song, which plays over his recent social media post, includes lyrics such as:
“I woke up still not dead again today / The news said I was gone, to my dismay / Don’t bury me, I’ve got a show to play…”
Back when the song was released, Willie’s attitude toward the rumors was much the same as today. “I’ve been killed several times throughout the years!” he told CBS at the time. “So I just thought I’d write something funny about it.”
And at 92, he’s proving age really is “just a number.” Nelson continues to record, tour, and work at a pace that puts younger artists to shame. Just last month, he released Workin’ Man: Willie Sings Merle, his 78th solo studio album and a heartfelt tribute to Merle Haggard.
So despite what AI images or fake headlines may claim, Willie Nelson is not only alive — he’s thriving, creating, and showing absolutely no signs of slowing down.