TOWIE's Pete Wicks falls victim to 'fake' Wimbledon influencer who deceived him
She posed courtside in a mint-green matching suit, her blonde waves flowing in the English sun, and a table card with her name neatly placed beside a glass of champagne.
Posting on Instagram, Mia Zelu shared snaps enjoying her time at Wimbledon, alongside stories and captions that matched her influencer aesthetic. She even caught the attention of celebs, including former TOWIE star Pete Wicks, who still follows the blonde beauty.
And with 162,000 followers, nothing seems out of the ordinary. But Mia is not who she appears to be, as it turns out she is entirely AI-generated - a revelation that has left fans and her admirers stunned.
Mia is part of the new frontier of ' virtual influencers ' - hyperrealistic digital personalities crafted by anonymous creators and powered by artificial intelligence.
While her Wimbledon photo series recently went viral for its polished aesthetic and apparent behind-the-scenes access, what turned heads wasn't just the outfit - it was the realisation that the glam guest was completely computer-made.
Her latest post, uploaded Friday, shows Zelu in a tailored double-breasted mint blazer, striking Instagram-worthy poses amid crowds at the All England Club.
One image even includes a table setting complete with a name card for 'Mia Zelu.' The account includes hashtags, adding a level of what seems to be authenticity.
Mia's account, which now boasts over 160,000 followers, describes her as a 'digital creator & influencer AI.' Her first post appeared in March, although she made her Instagram debut the day before in a post alongside her 'sister' Ana Zelu - also AI-generated.
The post encouraged followers to 'show her some love,' and apparently, they did. In her first solo upload, Mia lounges in a white hoodie with a kitten on her lap. 'I'm happiest in the sun,' she wrote. 'I believe coffee tastes better in cute cafés, and I live for cozy hoodies and deep conversations.'
Mia's growing popularity reflects a broader trend on social media, with some left concerned over the rise of AI-generated influencers.
While virtual creators like Lil Miquela (with 2.4 million followers) have been around since 2016, the tech has become increasingly convincing.
One of the biggest names in this new wave is Aitana Lopez, a 25-year-old pink-haired model created by Spanish company The Clueless.
According to her creators, Lopez brings in up to €10,000 (£8,672) a month and averages around €3,000 (£2,600) a post - all while never missing a shoot, having a bad day, or demanding a pay rise.
The company's founder Rubén Cruz said: 'We created her so that we could make a better living and not be dependent on other people who have egos, who have manias, or who just want to make a lot of money by posing.'
Mia's creators remain anonymous, but whoever's behind the AI beauty has clearly tapped into a formula that works as she gains followers from dozens of brands and companies.
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