The Insider.com

The internet was positively buzzing this weekend after Twilight Saga star Taylor Lautner was featured on a "leaked" coming out issue of People Magazine that hit the web, but as it turns out, the story was nothing but a photo-shopped sham. 

• December 22, 2011Robert Pattinson's Bel Ami Trailer
• December 01, 2011Taylor Lautner to be Immortalized in Wax
• November 03, 2011A Trip Down 'Twilight' Memory Lane
• November 04, 2011'Twilight's Robert Pattinson Talks About His Diva Side
• December 26, 2011Ashton Kutcher's Roman Holiday
• December 26, 2011Double Take! Celebrity Look-Alikes

Beneath the phrase "Out & Proud," the cover proclaimed Lautner was ready to tell the world he's gay. "Tired of rumors, the Twilight star opens up about his decision to finally come out. 'I'm more liberated, and happier than I've ever been,'" read the magazine.

People denied the issue as "absolutely fake" to Gossip Cop on Monday.

The holiday hoax had quite a few people fooled, including Russell Simmons, who tweeted in response that he was "proud of Taylor Lautner for his bravery and his courage." Simmons later discovered the cover was a phony, writing that he was "Disappointed that people would joke about someone coming out about their sexuality. Let Taylor Lautner be whoever he wants to be..."

Apparently the Brad Pitt/ Carnie Wilson stories on the sidebar are from a May 2006 issue of People, but you have to admit the cover is pretty convincing at first glance.

Were you fooled?