Recently, a rumor spread online claiming that Apple is set to release eight emojis featuring popular female music celebrities. This information was initially shared on April 3, 2025, by the account Drop Pop (@DropPopNet) on the social media platform X.
“Apple teases new emojis of female artists for the upcoming iOS 18.5 update,” the post was captioned.
The tweet included an image depicting Apple’s logo alongside emojis of renowned artists such as Lana Del Rey, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Iggy Azalea, Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and Ariana Grande.
However, this now-infamous tweet, which garnered over 4.9 million views, has been identified as a hoax. It appears that the intention behind the tweet was to generate buzz and sensationalism. Additionally, it’s important to note that the Drop Pop account on X is known for creating parody content, as stated in its “About” section.
“A parody/ satirical pop culture news outlet, solely and only meant for entertainment purposes. Nothing on this account represents factual news. DM for removal, inquiries, etc…” the description read.
In reality, Apple has indeed released eight new emojis, but they do not feature any celebrities.
Overview of Apple’s Latest Emoji Releases
On March 31, 2025, Apple rolled out eight new emojis for users of iOS 18.4 and above. The new additions include:
- A tired face
- A blue fingerprint
- A purple splat
- A radish/turnip
- A bare tree trunk
- A harp
- A shovel
- The flag of Sark, a self-governing island in the English Channel
The exhausted face emoji, characterized by dark under-eye bags and a melancholic expression, has quickly resonated with many users, earning the reputation of being particularly relatable. According to the New York Post, users can find this emoji by searching for “bags.” Many consider it “accurate” and speculate that it could become “the most used emoji of the year,” as highlighted by the Daily Mail.
Fans are particularly excited about the harp emoji, as it resembles the instruments featured on Guinness cans. Conversely, there has been some debate surrounding the purple splat and the Sark flag emojis. It is noteworthy that since 2022, the Unicode Consortium’s flag policy has limited the introduction of new flag emojis.
The announcement regarding these new emojis was initially made in September 2024. Users can access them by updating their devices automatically or manually through settings. Previously released emojis by Apple have included unique representations such as a plain bagel with cream cheese and a pregnant man as part of their ongoing iOS enhancements.
Moreover, the New York Post reported that iOS users can create personalized emojis using the Genmoji feature, which employs generative AI technology. However, Apple has cautioned users against creating NSFW emojis as they may be subject to censorship.
Looking ahead, the Unicode Consortium is reportedly working on new emoji concepts, including a “fight cloud,” an orca whale, an apple core, and a Sasquatch, slated to be released later this year. The upcoming iOS 18.4 update will also enhance Apple Intelligence, improving capabilities across a variety of languages and regions.