J.K. Rowling Falls Prey To Fake President Zelensky Video Prank By Russian Comedy Duo

Celebrity author J.K. Rowling was recently pranked by a Russian comedy duo who are known for their viral celebrity pranks. The duo convinced the “Harry Potter” author that she was having a conversation with the Ukrainian president, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The duo asked Rowling several questions, each increasingly bizarre and ranging from topics of politics, trans rights, and her recently released movie. The duo then posted the 12-minute video of their conversation with Rowling online. 

Read on to find out more.

The Duo Pranked J.K. Rowling

Rowling has been very active in the charitable efforts for the Ukraine/Russia war. Her children’s charity Lumos has donated to and supported many children and displaced families in Ukraine. The Russian pranksters, Vovan and Lexus, used her efforts as an excuse when they reached out to the author. 

The duo convinced her that she was having a Zoom meeting with President Zelenskyy to discuss her charitable aid efforts. The duo recorded the meeting, including the author’s answers to their controversial questions. The Rowling Library first spotted the video shortly after its release. 

As the video started, Lexus and Vovan asked Rowling to share her thoughts on the sanctions against Russia. They also asked if she thought there should be any sanctions against famous Russian actor Aleksandr Kuznetsov, who recently featured in Rowling’s recently released movie, “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.”

To that particular question, Rowling laughed and replied, “‘Fantastic Beasts’ has been a very interesting experience. I’ll certainly talk to people and see what we can do.” This was just one of the many controversial questions they asked her.

They Asked Several Absurd Questions

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As the video went on, the two boys asked more absurd questions, such as asking whether Rowling could change Harry Potter’s forehead lightning bolt scar to the famous Ukrainian trident symbol as an act of solidarity with the country.

They claimed the change in the famous scar would be better because the normal shape resembles the “Z” insignia inscribed on many Russian military vehicles and machinery. The Russian duo is famous for their celebrity pranks, and they have pranked people like Elton John, Prince Harry, Billie Eilish, and Kamala Harris. 

They also said, “I want to clarify where you are sending the money that Lumos has collected. … We want to buy a lot of weapons and missiles with your money to destroy Russian troops, I hope you are all for that.” In response, Rowling said, “We’ll look after the kids, but I really want Ukraine to have all of the arms it needs.”

They Made Jokes About Her Trans Rights Views

The comedians also made several jokes about Rowling’s famously divisive views and opinions about transgender rights. They also asked her if one of her popular “Harry Potter” characters, Professor Dumbledore was really gay, as revealed in the recent movie. 

She said, “I said in 2007 that I always saw Dumbledore as gay. And it was a big scandal at the time that I said it. That’s the way I see him. I mean, he’s an old man when we see him in the books, so his love life is no longer very important.”  

They then cracked jokes about Professor Dumbledore’s sex life and his previous partners, saying, “hopefully not with a transgender person.”

J.K. Rowling’s Reps Called The Prank Distasteful

As the prank interview concluded, Lexus and Vovan, who had their camera for most of the call, suddenly turned their camera on to introduce Rowling to a group of fans. They said the group called themselves “The Order of the Ukrainian Phoenix.”

However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the group of fans turned out to be just several people wearing T-shirts that read, “Only Putin!” written in Russian. In a statement to the magazine, a spokesperson for Rowlings called the prank very “distasteful.”

The statement read, “J.K. Rowling was approached to talk about her extensive charitable work in Ukraine, supporting children and families who have been affected by the current conflict in the region. The video, which has been edited, is a distorted representation of the conversation.”