Fake friends can be more dangerous than enemies. Enemies are obvious, but fake friends smile in your face while secretly resenting you behind closed doors. The truth is, fake friends drain your energy, dim your confidence, and sometimes even put you in dangerous situations.

If you’ve ever felt uneasy around someone you call a friend, you’re not imagining things.

Here are the real-life, chilling signs of fake friends — mixed with my own experiences — so you’ll know how to know if your friend is fake and protect your peace.

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7 Telltale Signs Of Fake Friends To Know Before It’s Too Late

1. They Hate When the Spotlight Is on You

A huge sign of a fake friend is how she reacts when you get attention. Maybe you’re out together and someone compliments your lashes, your outfit, or even just asks how you’re doing. Instead of smiling or joining in, she goes silent, rolls her eyes, or makes you feel like you shouldn’t have been noticed at all.

I’ll never forget when a stranger told me, “Your lashes are gorgeous, where did you get them done?” My “friend” stood there stone-faced the whole time, and I instantly felt awkward, like I should shrink instead of shining.

That’s what fake friends do: they make you feel guilty for being noticed.

And it gets deeper. I used to dress down in oversized clothes just to avoid making insecure women uncomfortable. If you’ve ever felt bullied for being seen, it’s probably not you, it might be the fake friends in your circle.

2. Fake Friends are Opportunistic

Another one of the clearest signs of fake friends is when someone only wants you for what you can give them. They want your energy, your connections, your lifestyle, your clout, but not you.

These friends start out sweet and overly close, love-bombing you with constant calls and messages. You think you’ve found a soul sister.

But the minute they can’t use you anymore, their tone changes. Calls stop. Replies get short. Suddenly, they’ve “moved on.”

If you’re wondering how to know if your friend is fake, pay attention to what happens when you set boundaries. If your “friendship” fades the second you stop giving, that person was never really a friend.

3. They Struggle to Be Happy for You

Real friends light up when you succeed. Fake friends can’t hide their micro-expressions.

Watch closely: you’ll see the quick eye-roll, the flash of annoyance, or the frozen smile before they quickly put their mask back on. It happens in a split second before you can miss it.

When you find yourself hiding good news because you know your friend will kill your joy, that’s one of the most toxic signs of fake friends. If someone isn’t excited about your wins, they’re not a real friend.

4. They Refuse to Compliment You or Secretly Hope You Look Bad

Fake friends will never gas you up, no matter how good you look. You could step out in a 10/10 outfit, hair laid, makeup flawless, and they’ll stay silent or compliment everyone else in front of you.

Worse, they’ll let you walk around with lipstick on your teeth, your wig lifting, or a price tag dangling from your dress because your embarrassment makes them feel better.

Some even like having you around looking messy because it makes them shine brighter by comparison.

A real friend fixes your makeup, straightens your outfit, and makes sure you look your best. Fake friends hope you don’t notice.

5. They Copy Everything You Do

There’s a difference between admiration and imitation. Fake friends don’t just take inspiration — they copy everything.

They study you, mirror you, and then use what they’ve learned to compete with you. They’ll buy the same clothes, do their hair the same way, even chase the same career path, all while refusing to give you credit.

Some people will say, “You should be flattered if your friend copies you.” But constant copying is not flattering — it’s unsettling.

If someone doesn’t have their own identity outside of mirroring you, that’s how to know if your friend is fake.

7. They Discard You Easily

Pay attention to how quickly someone is willing to cut you off. A fake friend will throw away years of friendship over the smallest disagreement because they were never invested in the first place.

Real friends give you grace, talk things through, and want to resolve conflict.

Fake friends use conflict as an excuse to leave because they were already looking for an exit.

Bonus: Always Listen to Your Intuition

The most powerful tool you have in spotting fake friends is your intuition. If your body feels drained, insecure, or on edge around someone, trust that. Your nervous system is picking up what your heart wants to deny.

Fake friends can only pretend for so long. Their eye rolls, passive aggression, and backhanded compliments eventually show. Protect your energy before it costs you more than you’re willing to give.

Friendship should be a safe space, not a silent competition. If you’ve spotted any of these signs of fake friends, don’t ignore them. Protect your peace, cut off toxic connections, and make room for friendships that actually celebrate you.