The fake People cover.

Taylor Lautner is not "out and proud," as a mock People magazine cover would have you to believe.

The alleged cover of the January 7 issue of People, which has been making the rounds online, features a photo of Lautner with the headline "Out and Proud," along with the statement, "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.'"

But a rep for People told ABCNews.com that the photo was a joke made by someone with no connection to the magazine: "It's ridiculous and it's an absolute fake."

The cover fooled more than a few people including Def Jam honcho Russell Simmons, who tweeted that he was "proud of Taylor Lautner for his bravery and his courage" before realizing the hoax. Simmons later tweeted, "disappointed that people would joke about someone coming out about their sexuality. Let Taylor Lautner be whoever he wants to be…"