Nice try! 
 
 An obviously faked People magazine cover on which Taylor Lautner supposedly announced that he's "out and proud" ricocheted across the internet Monday, tricking fans and even celebs like Russell Simmons. 
 
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 The Photoshopped image of the purported January 7, 2012 People issue shows the Twilight star announcing he's gay and "tired of the rumors." 
 
 The fake cover goes on to fake quote Lautner as saying his decision to come out has left him feeling, "more liberated, and happier than I've ever been." 
 
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 While the internet was abuzz, celebs like Def Jam's Simmons even fell prey to the hoax, tweeting Taylor a congratulatory tweet: "proud of Taylor Lautner for his bravery and his courage." 
 
 Once realizing the mistake, Simmons tweeted: "disappointed that people would joke about someone coming out about their sexuality. Let Taylor Lautner be whoever he wants to be..." 
 
 A rep for People magazine confirmed the cover a hoax to Gossip Cop, saying the cover is "absolutely fake." 
 
 CHECK OUT: So True? So False? Guessing Game 

 Truth rating: 0 
 
 By Daniel Gates 
 
 EXCLUSIVE 
 
 A purported People magazine cover on which Taylor Lautner announces that he’s gay is FAKE. 
 
 The image of the supposed January 7, 2012 issue shows Lautner above the phrase “Out & Proud,” and allegedly offers the “Exclusive” that the actor is going public with a bombshell about his sexuality. 
 
 RELATED – GQ Apologizes for Taylor Lautner Gay Pass Question 
 
 “Tired of rumors, the Twilight star opens up about his decision to finally come out,” promises the “People” cover, which quotes Lautner as saying, “I’m more liberated, and happier than I’ve ever been.” 
 
 But the magazine cover is 100% phony. 
 
 It is NOT a real People preview. 
 
 A rep for the magazine confirms to Gossip Cop exclusively that it’s “absolutely fake.” 
 
 Nevertheless, the Photoshopped fake is being circulated everywhere via Twitter and other social media on Monday. 
 
 Spreading fake stories like this one only diminishes the impact of real news – be it Lautner’s or anyone else’s – when it happens. 
 
 FYI: The Brad Pitt/Carnie Wilson sidebar is stolen from a May 2006 People cover.
– A phony People magazine on which Taylor Lautner supposedly comes out of the closet is a fake, but it fooled plenty of people as it spread around the Internet, Gossip Cop reports. "Tired of rumors, the Twilight star opens up about his decision to finally come out,” reads the cover, which the magazine has confirmed is a fake. Def Jam producer Russell Simmons was among the celebs fooled by the hoax, E! Online notes. Simmons tweeted that he was "proud of Taylor Lautner for his bravery and his courage." When he realized it was a hoax, Simmons said he was "disappointed that people would joke about someone coming out about their sexuality. Let Taylor Lautner be whoever he wants to be."