Mariah Carey says, no, her Spotify appearance wasn’t a deepfake

Artificial intelligence enters the spotlight once again as pop superstar Mariah Carey addresses viral speculation about her recent Spotify Wrapped thank-you message to fans.

The controversy unfolds: A seemingly routine holiday message from Mariah Carey to her Spotify listeners sparked unexpected debate across social media platforms.

• The 55-year-old singer recorded a personalized message thanking fans as part of Spotify’s year-end Wrapped campaign
• Viewers on X (formerly Twitter) began speculating that the footage was generated by artificial intelligence
• The video featured Carey in holiday attire with red lipstick, thanking supporters and promoting the 30th anniversary of her “Merry Christmas” album

Carey’s response: The Grammy-winning artist quickly dismissed the AI allegations with characteristic humor on social media.

• Carey directly addressed the rumors on X, attributing the video’s appearance to “bad lighting and a red lip”
• She maintained her focus on her ongoing holiday performances, specifically mentioning an upcoming Boston concert
• The singer teased upcoming new music releases in her original Spotify message

Fan reactions: Supporters rallied behind Carey, offering alternative explanations for the video’s distinctive appearance.

• Many fans attributed the AI speculation to Carey’s “perfect” appearance in the footage
• Several observers noted that rather than AI, the singer appeared to be reading from a script
• Viewers pointed to eye movements suggesting she was following cue cards during the recording

Looking ahead: While this incident highlights growing public sensitivity to AI-generated content, it also demonstrates how even routine celebrity content can trigger broader discussions about authenticity in the digital age.

• This scenario reflects increasing public awareness and sometimes misplaced concerns about AI’s role in content creation
• The incident shows how lighting, makeup choices, and scripted delivery can sometimes create an uncanny valley effect that viewers might mistake for artificial generation