'Genuinely freaky!' Internet almost falls for Katy Perry and Rihanna's AI deepfakes at 2024 Met Gala

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The 2024 Met Gala was supposed to be a star-studded affair, but some AI pranksters took things too far by creating highly realistic fake photos depicting Katy Perry and Rihanna in attendance.

Despite neither pop star making an appearance, the phony images quickly spread across social media, fooling countless fans and even Perry's own mother, as reported by The Daily Mail.

AI fakes of Katy Perry and Rihanna at 2024 Met Gala go viral

Fans were stunned when AI-generated images of Perry, 39, and Rihanna, 36, appeared to show them in elaborate Met Gala attire.

Perry, known for her quirky fashion sense, was depicted in a flowing floral gown and a golden breastplate with a grassy skirt. Rihanna's fake portrayal showed her donning a white gown adorned with green vines and flowers, complete with a massive circular headpiece.

Recognizing the AI prank, Perry was quick to address the situation. reposting two of the bogus photos on her Instagram for her millions of followers to see. She included a text exchange with her mom Mary, who had been completely duped by the lifelike fakes.

"Couldn't make it to the MET, had to work," Perry wrote, giving context to the conversation. Mary's text read, "Ha Feather! Didn't know you went to the Met. What a gorgeous gown. You look like the Rose Parade, you are your own float lol."

Perry playfully responded to her mother, "lol mom the AI got you too, BEWARE!" She also shared a fan's tweet from New York City, where the user was eagerly awaiting her arrival with a Katy 143 cutout.

While Perry addressed the fake photos head-on, Rihanna's absence from the Met Gala remained unaddressed. According to reports from PEOPLE, the Barbadian singer had planned to attend but canceled due to a case of flu.

Rihanna had previously hinted at a simpler look for the event, stating, "I'm actually keeping it real simple this year. ... It's gonna come to what my makeup and what my hair is going to do."

Internet concerned over AI fakes of Katy Perry and Rihanna at MET Gala

As the fabricated images of Perry and Rihanna circulated, the internet erupted with concerns about AI technology. One X user stated, "The AI that has been out there tonight has been unreal. It’s really getting out of hand." Another user urged, "Protect boomers from AI."

Another user voiced their apprehension, saying, "AI is really getting dangerous. The second that it can master faces and limbs, it’s over." Meanwhile, a fourth user admitted, "Scared. Like really scared."

A fifth user found the situation unsettling, sharing, "Dude this AI stuff is actually so freaky." Someone else commented, "Genuinely frightening that her own mom fell for this, whoa." Another user exclaimed, "Wtf that was AI???? Nahhh that stuff is scary." Lastly, a user remarked, "Lol, AI's getting so good even moms can't tell the diff."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.