Avril Lavigne was a rock star, most likely known for her songs, “Girlfriend”, “It’s Complicated”, and my favorite, “Sk8r Boi”.

In 2002, Avril Lavigne’s grandfather died. Avril was extremely close to him, and his death, and the pressures of fame sent her into a deep depression, and after releasing her 2002 debut album, “Let Go”, Avril died by taking her own life. Melissa was hired by Avril’s record company as a stunt double while Avril was still alive, which is not uncommon among famous celebrities. Melissa would go to appearances Avril did not want to go to, and Melissa had to be Avril.

When Avril’s grandfather died, she was in a deep depression. She even cried on stage while performing in Dublin in 2003. A fan said she saw her crying backstage in between sets and before the encore.

Now, this was when Avirl Lavigne was the most popular she has ever been. Her record company did not want that to go away, so they had Melissa step in and take over.

"Melissa" was originally hired to distract paparazzi, protecting Avril. Right before Avril died, Melissa was taught how to sing, dance, and impersonate Avril.

I grew up listening to Avril Lavigne and because of her I wore black eyeliner and pink highlights in my hair my whole seventh grade year. She was an idol for girls and women Even I noticed as a fan that when she started her career she had a deep, raspy voice. A few years later, she was performing and her voice was multiple octaves higher than ever before. It was not just her performances that were changed, it was her interviews.

Before 2003, she would describe herself as a “rock chick”. In an interview years later she says she “sang in church” and “sang in her hometown” sprouting a southern accent. This is not the Avril that I know. Some people may say she just changed, but experts have compared pictures and noticed huge changes in appearances.

“She could have just gotten a makeover” That’s what I thought to. Until you start to compare not only pictures, but measurements of Avril’s face before and after 2003. The space between the eyebrows are bigger. The brow line is bigger. The nose is smaller and the chin is wider. Pretty much everything on her face was adjusted just a smidge. Which is why people think it is Melissa because Melissa had to look super similar to her, but not the exact same. Another difference is her handwriting. On the album Let Go she had cover art with her handwriting in bold cursive, meaning she put a lot of pressure on the pen when she wrote. Years later, on a different album cover are thin light printed handwriting. I don’t know about you, but other than my handwriting improving, it looks like the same “font”.

Just looking at music video clips comparing the years are a total 180 of taste. People change, but do they? Melissa has left clues in songs, such as Slipped Away, in which she sings: “The day you slipped away was the day I found it won’t be the same”. There was even a publicity shot in which Lavigne had “Melissa” written on her hand.

Avril Lavigne died in 2002, and Melissa is currently in her place.