A screenshot from the Dolan Twins video posted on Sept 27, 2017. The YouTubers recently lost their father to cancer and had to urge fans to stay away from a planned funeral service. — YouTube
Social media fandom took an unsettling turn this week.
On Jan 19, YouTube stars Ethan and Grayson Dolan – or better known together as the Dolan Twins – announced that they lost their father Sean Dolan to cancer. He was 50 years old.
Both also shared that they will be taking a break from social media and focus on spending more time with family.
Not long after that, a user started an Instagram account under the name "seandolanfuneral" to announce that he or she will be planning a meet-up at a funeral service for the senior Dolan.
The user also said he/she will offer emotional support to the Dolan twins and their mother. There were also instructions to "please cry" and "be nice".
The Instagram account appears to have been removed but screenshots of the posts can still be seen on Twitter. Some fans have urged others to ignore the postings and respect the privacy of the twins.
Eventually, on Jan 22, Ethan issued a Twitter message urging fans not to show up at their father's funeral service. This was followed by Grayson who tweeted that the ceremony is meant for people who were close to his late father. He also asked fans to please respect their wishes and to not turn up at the funeral service.
Based on a report on NBC News, it seems that extra measures are being taken to prevent unwanted guests at the funeral service. A security director at the funeral home in New Jersey handling arrangements from the service said police officers and private security will be at the parlour during the wake. The event is being held some time this week.
The 20-year-old Dolan twins have more than eight million subscribers on their YouTube channel. Their content mostly consist of them taking on challenges, doing pranks and answering various questions from fans.
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