J.K. Rowling Changed Her X Profile Picture After Users Suggested Her Home Has Black Mold

Controversial Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is making headlines once again, but this time it's for a very different reason than her frequent transphobic comments.

Though the author went on a tirade about the Algerian boxer who has been falsely labeled transgender, more attention has been given to her profile photo on X (formerly Twitter), with some claims that she may have black mold in her home.

The tweet, initially sent by X user Sam (@mushycrouton), reads, "Sorry but is that black mold growing up the walls of [J.K.'s] house? Is that why she's the way she is?"

Sam attached a copy of J.K.'s profile photo to the post, which has now been viewed more than five million times. In the background of the photo, there appear to be some black spots creeping up the walls behind her, which leads some to believe the author may have mold growing in her home.

Following the tweet, others have shared different photos captured from various interviews she's done that show more of the wall. Though some have claimed it's likely just a "[mural] with flowers," side-by-side comparisons of the room years apart show distinct changes in the wall behind her.

Unfortunately, there is no way to confirm whether or not J.K.'s home has black mold. She has not commented on the claims specifically. Symptoms of black mold exposure include sneezing, coughing, red eyes, postnasal drip, and nasal congestion, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Since Sam made the tweet on July 30, J.K. has changed her profile photo to one that has a completely different background, at the very least acknowledging that she's seen the tweets about her potential mold problem.

That said, even if the disgraced author does have black mold growing up the walls of her home, there's no scientific connection between black mold and transphobia, so it's not likely to have contributed to her insensitive and alienating comments.