Fans have been left somewhat confused by recent concert footage from Will Smith, as the crowd appears to be less than authentic.
At 56 years old, Smith is making a career resurgence following the infamous Oscar slap two years ago. He has begun his first tour in decades to promote his latest album.
“Based on a True Story,” released in March this year, is Smith’s fifth studio album and marks his return to music after a 20-year break. His previous album, “Lost and Found,” was released back in 2005.
The new album features a variety of collaborations with well-known artists, including Smith’s son Jaden, as well as Big Sean, Russ, and Joyner Lucas.
In 2024, the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor hinted that this album represents “the most personal and powerful music project [he’s] ever done.”
However, despite Smith’s status as a major Hollywood star, a noticeable and somewhat ’embarrassing’ error in his concert footage hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans.
On Instagram, the “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” star shared the footage with a caption expressing his gratitude to fans: “My favorite part of tour is seeing you all up close. Thank you for seeing me too.”
Comments quickly began to appear, with one person noting, “Why does half the crowd look possessed. Some of them had no eyes hahahah.”
Another fan highlighted, “If you freeze it on 0:54 seconds, not a single person behind the sign has eyes.”
As the footage circulated on social media, many began to suspect that the crowd had been generated using AI, and the reasoning behind this is quite evident.
A critic shared screenshots from the footage, pointing out one sign that read ‘FR6SH CRINCE’.
Another sign, supposedly held by a fan, read: “‘You can make it.’ Helped me survive cancer. Thx Will,” along with an awkward expression and an odd number of fingers.
Further scrutiny of the footage revealed audience members with ‘melted’ or pixelated faces, or appearing in peculiar positions. One man seemed to rest his head on another concert-goer’s lap, while another scratched his eye through his glasses frame.
A separate screenshot captured a hand that seemed to have ‘crushed’ fingers raised in the air.
Comments on the post expressed disbelief: “This use of AI is INSANE and downright sad,” wrote one person.
Another commenter, accompanied by a laughing emoji, added, “Half of the footage is AI.”
A third questioned humorously, “What the hell, you actually had a concert. WHY USE AI?????”
A fourth commenter urged Smith to ‘delete the video’, describing the use of AI as ‘unacceptable’.
The controversy arises as Smith successfully launched the UK leg of his tour on August 24, performing to a crowd of about 8,000 in Cardiff.
He has upcoming performances scheduled in Manchester, Wolverhampton, and London before heading to Europe for a show in Paris.
Smith’s representatives have been contacted for comment.