Rowling's spokesperson has called the prank "distasteful".
Controversial wizard enthusiast J.K. Rowling fell victim to a very modern prank when she was tricked into believing she was in conversation with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In actual fact, Rowling was speaking with a pair of Russian pranksters; comedy duo Vovan and Lexus, who have considerable form for prank-calling celebrities.
In a video that surfaced online this week, the fake Zelensky welcomes Rowling onto the call by referring to her as "the greatest writer of all time without any exclusion", leading the Harry Potter author to smile and place her hand over her heart.
"Thank you so much, that means the world, and I think that Ukraine could lead your part of Europe in that respect," Rowling responded.
"I think that if Ukraine sets the example going forward, that would be a wonderful thing."
'Zelensky' then immediately pivots the conversation to "cancellation culture" – perhaps a direct reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin's citation of that term in March, having used J.K. Rowling as an example – with Rowling insisting she doesn't want "certain business interests" to be associated with Russia at this time.
The fakers also ask Rowling if Harry Potter's lightning bolt scar ought to be changed given its resemblance to the 'Z' that has been used to mark Russian military vehicles, and if the character of Dumbledore really is gay.
By the time the 12-minute video draws to a close, the imposter Zelensky asks Rowling to give a shout-out to "his favourite writers Vovan and Lexus", which she duly does.
Following the emergence of the video, Rowling's spokesperson has hit out at the pranksters. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the representative labelled the hoax "distasteful" and explained that Rowling was approached to discuss her charity work in Ukraine.
"The video, which has been edited, is a distorted representation of the conversation," said the spokesperson.
The real Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, has praised Ireland and Taoiseach Micheál Martin following the country's backing of Ukraine for European Union candidacy, hailing a “historic rapprochement of our nations”.
You can watch the Rowling prank footage below.
Clip via DZIGA VERTOV ( SERGO JS )
