Dua Lipa, the pop star also known as Dula Peep (thanks to Wendy Williams), has piped up with a message of mourning after popular language company Duolingo murdered its adorable owl mascot, Duo, and subsequently asked its users to respect the singer’s privacy in the aftermath.
One day after Duolingo announced that Duo, the irresistibly cute green owl, had died and that “authorities are currently investigating his cause of death,” the “Levitating” performer thickened the plot of the mystery. In addition to revealing Duo’s death, the company also asked its followers to respect “Dua Lipa’s privacy” in the wake of the avian representative’s sudden passing.
“‘Til death duo part,” Lipa shared alongside a broken-heart emoji on X, in response to Duolingo’s post referencing her.
When reached for comment, a representative for Duolingo tells Entertainment Weekly that Lipa’s interaction “isn’t part of a paid brand partnership” and is “just the natural evolution of Duo’s long-standing, unrequited love” for the pop star.
“Over the years, we’ve built brand lore around Duo being in love with her (going so far as to propose outside her concert at Madison Square Garden), and we’re just as shocked (and honored) as anyone that she’s acknowledged his tragic fate,” the representative adds.
EW has reached out to representatives for Lipa for additional comment.
In addition to sharing a photo of a dead Duo with X’s over his eyes, Duolingo elaborated on his death Tuesday in the brand’s extensive announcement.
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“We’re aware he had many enemies, but we kindly ask that you refrain from sharing why you hate him in the comments,” the statement read. “If you feel inclined to share, please also include your credit card number so we can automatically sign you up for Duolingo Max in his memory.”
After rising to international prominence thanks to the success of singles like “New Rules,” “Don’t Start Now,” and her global smash album Future Nostalgia, Lipa released her latest LP, Radical Optimism, in 2024.
