'I nearly threw up': Singer reacts to fake AI post of her tribute to Sam Neill
Australian singer Kate Ceberano has slammed an AI fake post depicting her crying while showing the camera a photo of herself and Sir Sam Neill.
The fake image shows Ceberano with tears running down her face, holding up a cell phone showing a photo of herself and the late Neill hugging. The caption for the fake photo states the image on the phone is their “last photo together from his last public appearance at the Sydney Awards”.
Ceberano said this was her first time encountering a fake AI version of herself and she said she “nearly threw up”.
“What the actual…!!!!!! My first interaction with an AI version of myself. I nearly threw up," she said, adding that she felt “sorry to the good people who wrote meaningful comments to this specious post”.
“You were tricked and I kinda think this is just the beginning. I’m speechless,” she wrote on Instagram.
The fake image, which at the time of writing remains online, was posted by a Facebook page called “Golden Era Hollywood”.
The singer says she does not know how it was created and called it “just vulgar” in a reply to one of the comments.
Fans were disgusted and concerned after Ceberano called out the fake image.
“This is a serious violation & crosses the line,” one person wrote. ”How bloody confronting seeing an AI version of yourself used in such a personal way. It’s deeply concerning that AI can be used to deceive people like this!"
“WTAF! We really have jumped onto a freakin’ AI merry-go-round that is never going to stop - but just gets faster and faster,” journalist Melissa Hoyer commented.
Singer Cassidy La Crème commended Ceberano for calling out the fake post: “That is mental! Good on you for calling it out. So sorry for your loss though.”
Longtime friends Ceberano and Neill did pose for a photo together at the Aria Hall of Fame Awards in Sydney on June 12 and that did end up being one of Neill’s final public appearances.
Neill posted the selfie to his Instagram writing: “Great night in Sydney. Four women I have idolised for decades were honoured. Jenny Morris, Kate Ceberano, and Vika and Linda Bull. Jenny was inducted into the Hall by no less than our former NZ PM, Jacinda Ardern. Another hero.”
“Soooooo very lovely to see you,” Ceberano commented underneath the post.
She posted a photo of the two of them that night not long after, when Neill died.
“I sang with you in Molokai whilst you played your ukulele. Your gentle heart and radiant smile made me feel seen and loved. You will always be one of the special souls it has been such a pleasure to know you. Aloha ‘oe til we meet again dear Sam,” the Aussie singer wrote in the caption.
Neill died on July 13, aged 78. The actor, cultural ambassador and activist has been hailed by many as one of the greats. His death has led to an outpouring of love and grief from all over the world, including many Hollywood celebrities who worked with Neill over the years.
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