2009’s Top Twitter Trends Include Michael Jackson, Harry Potter, Idol & More

Posted by Rowena Li on 12/26/09 • Categorized as American Idol, Celebrities, MTV Movie Awards, Michael Jackson 1958-2009, Movies, Music, Television

As 2009 wraps up, Twitter has compiled a list of the year’s top Trending Topics, which ranged from people to events to movies and television shows.

The person most tweeted about was singer Michael Jackson, whose sudden death on June 25 at the age of 50 shocked the Twitterverse. As thousands of tweeps were trying to make sense of his death, Twitter crashed several times. Twitterers remembered Jackson by tweeting about their favorite Jackson songs while magazines such as TIME and Entertainment Weekly released special commemorative issues. Jackson’s memorial service was broadcast live on TV on July 7 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Due to his untimely death, Jackson’s “This Is It” tour was canceled and fans were offered either a full refund or a souvenir ticket. Twitterers started a “twitition” in hopes of having the concert promoters change the refund policy. While the tour could no longer proceed, a “This Is It” movie and album were released based on footage and recordings from Jackson’s tour rehearsals.

On Christmas Day, fans remembered Jackson’s death on the half-year anniversary of his death:

human_natureMJ DECEMBER 25, 2009: IT HAS BEEN 6 MONTHS SINCE MICHAEL JACKSON PASSED. PRAY FOR HIS FAMILY N KIDS. n try not to get too sad guys… : (

donatella77 Merry Christmas to all my friends from here and not only!
Merry Christmas to all REAL MICHAEL JACKSON’S FANS!
I miss him!!

Easy2GoGreen “If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, then make that change!” Michael Jackson, RIP.

8barbie8 Exactly 6 months since michael Jackson died on Xmas day

MarieJoseGMH 6 month ago we lost you in t5his world but not ever out of my heart and never one day forgotten michael jackson i will always miss you so

missbootymama84 Can’t believe it was 6 months yesterday since Michael Jackson died. I truely still cannot believe

Scottish singing sensation Susan Boyle, whose unexpectedly extraordinary voice surprised judges on “Britain’s Got Talent,” became a viral hit on YouTube and the second most tweeted about person of the year. Boyle’s album “I Dreamed a Dream” topped Amazon’s Best-Sellers List and has remained strong on the Billboard charts.

kristian_05 #NowPlaying I Dreamed a Dream by Susan Boyle!!! this song is perfect!!!!

refashionology Snuggling in with a cat at my feet and a puppy by my side, listening to my new Susan Boyle CD. Happy.

listya Who the heck is buying susan boyle’s album? She went double platinum in a month???

itsmeJustin Susan Boyle’s “I Dream A Dream” is truly amazing. OMG lol

Adam Lambert’s surprising loss to Kris Allen on the eighth season of “American Idol” made him a trending topic. Lambert’s controversial performance at the American Music Awards in November landed him on the list again. Lambert ended up being the third most talked about person on Twitter in 2009.

runawaysu @accesshollywood Only celebity I cared about in 2009 was Adam Lambert! BEST discovery I have ever made! By far! Love him and his music!

TriforceofSara @standtogether is the biggest Adam Lambert fan ever. She’s very happy, but alas, she doesn’t like games like I do. She likes Adam more.

DMurphOfficial Adam lambert is my new favorite artist

Choylyn_Aching Adam Lambert is #3 on Twitter Top Trends (People) of 2009! http://pcworld.about.com/od/web/Twitter-s-Top-Trending-Topics.htm

The top three trending movies of the year were “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” “New Moon” and “District 9.” Fans were treated to previews of both “Harry Potter” and “New Moon” at the MTV Movie Awards in June. “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” brought in $22.2 million at its midnight premiere in July, breaking box office records. The record was broken again in November with the premiere of “New Moon.” “District 9″ didn’t break records like the two others did, but it did top the box office when it opened in August.

uhwii I watched Harry Potter 2 … tmrw they’ll show Harry Potter and the goblet of fire with our wonderful Robert Pattinson. Can’t wait 2 c it

TessAaaaah I had a weird dream last night involved Harry Potter characters and Jacob Black from twilight haha =P

ZombieePanda So i’m gonna watch harry potter and the half blood prince. Watched it before but I got it for Christmas and yeah :]

TrischaUnited @Twilight yeeeees! the “new moon-movie companion” and edward bedding <3

Suppiewolf Having to watch district 9. Heard that it was a good movie. Merry xmas everyone.

x_lokita_x I think I’m the only one that cried at the end of District 9. Man. Dat movie was sad.

Zakariee Watching District 9 on Blu-ray, f**king beautiful.

thetremulance Next up: District 9. I forgot how ridiculously intense this movie is.

On the small screen, “American Idol” was the most talked about television show on Twitter. Season eight wrapped up with Allen’s win and was followed by big shake-ups on the judging panel. Kara DioGuardi, who joined the panel during the eighth season, confirmed that she would be returning to the show next season (which begins airing January 12–stay tuned for recaps and Twitter reaction!). Paula Abdul, who had been one of the three original judges, announced in early August that she would not be returning, despite negotiations and a Twitter campaign to keep her. After the announcement, a series of guest judges like Victoria “Posh” Beckham and Joe Jonas were scheduled as temporary replacements. In September the show announced that talk show host Ellen DeGeneres would become the fourth permanent judge.

TVChatHotline TV’s Best of the Decade: No. 7 – ‘American Idol’ http://bit.ly/5ZcyjU

JosephAdamJFans #JoeJonas is one of the celebrity guest judges included in the next season of American Idol.

Jonas_Love3 who is as excited for american idol to start as i am!?! im looking forward to ellen being a judge!! oh and of course for joe:)

Shanelle_Jade Don’t get me wrong. I am SO happy that Ellen is going to be the new judge on “American Idol” but I am really going to miss Paula. She was so

dbaker0114 im watching american idol rewind and its killing me. I can’t wait until Jan. when ellen can keep simon in check!

davidrogerc @maattt_ Completely agree about Kara, btw. Doesn’t get enough credit on Idol. Brilliant writer, great singer. Glad you like Kat’s record!

nickandmore #09memories – @KrisAllen winning American Idol season 8!

iamashbo ill never 4get the day Ryan Seacrest said season 8 idol winner is “…..Kris Allen.” i ran to my room crying lol

mpagano15 Watching American Idol rewind am so mad that Paula is leaving this year and kara is going to be there,But ellen is great so i guess its ok

The second spot in the list of top trending TV shows is held by the new musical hit “Glee.” The show gathered a cult-like following and earned four Golden Globe nominations, including one for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy.

joyballz i can’t wait to drive all over tomorrow with my new glee cd. @LaurNicole, i might even turn the music up really loud.

_Yvette_ I can’t wait for season 1 of Glee to come out on dvd. I think it’s now my favorite show..

jordansheaaa @Mark_Salling sooo i got both glee albums for christmas and cant get enough of your voice xoxo

sometobelieve Oh and I got a gift card that shall cover Glee DVD.

The 2009 Teen Choice Awards was also a strong trending topic, with many tweeps tweeting about nominations and again as they watched the show.

SorryOrange Kind of Offended that Miley Cyrus didn’t say Jay-Z during her Party in the USA performance on the Teen Choice Awards. #itdoesntreallymatter

_Julia13 I favorited a YouTube video — Party In The USA Live – Miley Cyrus at the Teen Choice Awards – Sung by … http://youtu.be/Kmw9xTpBZyw?a

flaapolinario aaeeee teen choice award 2009 on E lol

FranciscoVall I’m watching the”GREAT”Teen Choice awards, Megan Fox is so dumb (she’s hot though) and that “Dare the Jonas” stuff Is even more s2pid, Ugh:@

annamanTM wtf?twilight won 11 teen choice awards?!