The Fappening" is a jocular portmanteau coined by combining the words " fap", an internet slang term for masturbation, and the title of the 2008 film The Happening. Though the term is a vulgarism originating either with the imageboards where the pictures were initially posted or Reddit, mainstream media outlets soon adopted the term themselves, such as the BBC. [7] [8] The term has received criticism from journalists like Radhika Sanghani of The Daily Telegraph and Toyin Owoseje of the International Business Times, who said that the term not only trivialized the leak, but also, according to Sanghani, "[made] light of a very severe situation." Both articles used the term extensively to describe the event, including in their headlines. [9] How what you do at home on your computer could land you in jail". BBC News. January 25, 2017. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023 . Retrieved April 13, 2023. a b c Kerris, Natalie; Muller, Trudy (September 2, 2014). "Update to Celebrity Photo Investigation" (press release). Apple Inc. Archived from the original on December 30, 2016 . Retrieved April 12, 2023. Representatives for Emma Watson, star of new Disney film Beauty and the Beast, denied reports images showed the actor nude. Her publicist told the BBC the pictures were from a clothes fitting. "Lawyers have been instructed and we are not commenting further," a statement read.

Last week, it emerged a slew of famous stars – all female – had been victimised by the publication of nude images and sex tapes. A-list names included Emma Watson, Amanda Seyfried, Mischa Barton and British wrestling star Saraya-Jade Bevis, also known as Paige. Dewey, Caitlin (September 5, 2014). "Meet the unashamed 33-year-old who brought the stolen celebrity nudes to the masses". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 2269358. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014 . Retrieved July 5, 2023. In 2015, Melissa said that she and her “Glee” partner Blake Jenner are married and commented that they were married “longer than anybody knows”. She filed for divorce in December 2016 and was finalized in 2017. Meet the man behind the leak of celebrity nude photos, called the fappening". BBC News. March 16, 2016. Archived from the original on April 2, 2023 . Retrieved April 13, 2023.

Melissa Benoist is an American actress and singer. She appeared on stage and and in movies/TV, but has become known for her role in the superhero drama series “Supergirl”. Melissa is also known for her roles in the TV show “Glee”, films such as “Danny Collins”, “Whiplash”, “‘Patriots Day”, “The Longest Ride”, “Sun Dogs” and “Lowriders”. Benoist also got a role of Rachel Jones’ wife in the mini-series “Waco”. Onstage Benoist made her Broadway debut in 2018 in “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”.

Otis, Ginger (June 9, 2015). "FBI pinpoints Chicago home, suspect in 2014 'Celebgate' nude photo leak". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on July 26, 2015 . Retrieved August 14, 2015.FBI, Apple begin inquiries into nude celebrity photo leaks". Los Angeles: Fox News. September 1, 2014. Archived from the original on December 9, 2015 . Retrieved April 12, 2023. Initially, victims included Emma Watson, star of the recently-released Beauty and the Beast remake, and actor Amanda Seyfried. Tenna Torres: 'American Idol' Semi-Finalist Latest Victim Of Nude Leak". Hollywood Life. September 2, 2014. Archived from the original on March 17, 2015 . Retrieved July 11, 2023.