Ripple's Chief Technology Officer David Schwartz has publicly acknowledged manipulating a fan Q&A session with rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, calling it a personal failure despite its apparent success at the time. The confession comes days after the Black Sabbath frontman's passing at age 76.

Behind the Scenes of a Staged Celebrity Interaction

Schwartz revealed on social media platform X that during his tenure at WebMaster, he was tasked with facilitating an online Q&A between Black Sabbath and fans using ConferenceRoom software. What was meant to be an authentic exchange turned into what he describes as "cheating" when fan interest focused exclusively on Osbourne.

"I specifically asked moderators for non-Ozzy questions, but they simply didn't exist," Schwartz admitted. Faced with bandmates receiving no attention, he resorted to using pre-prepared questions and blending manager-approved answers with fragments of the musicians' actual responses.

The Censorship Dilemma

The Ripple executive disclosed he sanitized Osbourne's famously colorful language during the session. "Ozzy's answers featured the C-word repeatedly—the one Americans particularly dislike. It was nearly the only word I could clearly distinguish through the poor connection," Schwartz explained, noting he edited out the profanity before posting responses.

Only two or three genuine fan questions made it through the process, a far cry from the organic interaction Schwartz had envisioned. "At the time, I felt terrible. This wasn't the authentic celebrity engagement I wanted to create," he reflected.

Unexpected Market Reaction

Meanwhile, cryptocurrency markets have shown volatile reactions to Osbourne's death. Memecoins inspired by the rock icon saw dramatic surges, with The Mad Man (OZZY) token skyrocketing 【16,800%】 to reach a $3.85 million market capitalization at its peak.

——Industry analysts note such volatility often accompanies celebrity deaths, as speculative traders capitalize on heightened public attention——

Legacy of a Rock Legend

Osbourne's passing has sparked global tributes beyond cryptocurrency circles. The musician, known as the "Prince of Darkness," influenced generations of artists and became a cultural icon through both his music and reality television career.

Schwartz's candid revelation offers a rare glimpse into the challenges of creating authentic digital interactions with major celebrities, while underscoring how even tech veterans can regret certain professional compromises years later.