Rod Stewart's 'tacky' AI tribute comes far too soon after Ozzy Osbourne's death
The Prince of Darkness could be seen smiling as he held a selfie stick and posed with the likes of George Michael, Amy Winehouse, and Kurt Cobain.
It played as Sir Rod dedicated the track Forever Young to the late Black Sabbath legend, but many felt the AI video was too 'tacky' and simply too soon.
Osbourne died aged 76 on July 22 and was laid to rest on July 31, with a procession through his hometown of Birmingham.
Days later, on Saturday, August 2, the AI video was splashed across the screen in what one fan described as 'man-made horrors beyond [their] comprehension.'
Using artificially generated footage of dead celebrities (and regular people) always proves contentious, but Sir Rod really angered fans with this move.
So Rod Stewart has been on tour dedicating Forever Young to Ozzy… and now he's showing the AI generated video of him in heaven taking selfies with all these dead artists… I've seen some shitty AI visuals in concerts but this is a new low pic.twitter.com/WZMCNFlrOU — peter lane (@peterlanee) August 3, 2025
Sloane Steel, who was at the Alabama concert where the video was unveiled, called it 'the craziest most disrespectful s**t I ever saw in my life'.
The comments on her Instagram post largely agreed with her, as playattentionnow replied: 'Weekend at Bernie's vibes. Prince didn't even want his music on Spotify and changed his name to a Symbol to protect his intellectual property.
'I'm 100% sure he wouldn't have signed off on Rod Stewart puppeteering his face for this tacky 💩.'
Dietcokeconnoisseur added: 'Omfg I was there too and was horrified by this 😂.'
'Good idea: pay tribute to Ozzy and his friends in heaven,' said theroseboy22. 'Bad Idea: Making an AI-generated video with his dead friends/members.'
The (somewhat baffling) list included Prince, George Michael, Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Tina Turner, Bob Marley, Tupac Shakur, Aaliyah, Michael Jackson and XXXTentacion.
'Those aren't even Ozzy's friends,' criticised jenndependence. 'I doubt he even knew most of those people. That's part of what makes this so cringey, they just threw in any dead celebrity they could think of.
Even more bizarre, the video was seemingly taken from a TikTok account called Eternal Stars, the sole purpose of which is to make AI videos of dead people.
This wasn't a tribute made by Sir Rod's team, or footage taken from old Osbourne videos (of which there are plenty) or even a personal picture of the pair together.
It was made by a random TikTok AI generator with no personal touch at all, plastered on a screen by someone who called Osbourne his 'friend'.
The resounding feeling from fans was that this was a huge misstep on a topic that is still incredibly raw for many people.
Many are still grieving the death of the icon who invented heavy metal, making Sir Rod's surprising inclusion even more jarring.
Only days before, we all watched a heartbroken Sharon Osbourne weeping in her children's arms as she stood at Black Sabbath Bridge to see the thousands of tributes left for her husband.
At the time of the Glastonbury Legend's concert, it hadn't even been a full month since Osbourne was last on stage himself for his farewell gig with Black Sabbath.
Described as 'frail' by bandmate Geezer Butler, he sat in a chair the entire gig, looking thrilled to perform one final time for the sea of fans. More Trending
That's before we even dive into the morality of reanimating dead celebrities, often without their permission, to use their likeness for our own gain.
Shockingly, there are no requirements to gain permission to make AI deepfakes of people, so it's unlikely the Osbournes were even aware of the original TikTok.
While Sir Rod may not have meant to offend fans, he clearly has. Maybe it's best to quietly drop the AI and use some iconic Osbourne clips instead, at least then he'll be authentically Ozzy.
Metro has reached out to Sir Rod Stewart's reps for comment.
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: Jack Osbourne admits he 'doesn't have a great relationship' with sister Aimee
MORE: Yungblud shares poignant tribute for friend Ozzy Osbourne after the rock legend is laid to rest
MORE: Sharon Osbourne tearfully greets fans at Ozzy's emotional funeral in Birmingham
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Controversial star Lil Tay sparks backlash over her staggering OnlyFans earnings just hours after turning 18
Controversial star Lil Tay has prompted fierce backlash after revealing her staggering OnlyFans earnings with her 5.7 million Instagram followers - just hours after turning 18. The controversial influencer wasted no time launching an OnlyFans account - dropping the link just after midnight on her landmark birthday. She claimed the content was taken at exactly 12.01am, calling it 'freshly 18' content and adding in her bio: 'Please don't tell my mom.' Lil Tay promised fans glimpses of her 'birthday suits' and, within just two hours of joining the adult content platform, she had 100,000 subscribers. By the third hour, she had raked in over $1 million, posting a screenshot of her earnings with the caption: 'We broke the f**k out of that OnlyFans record.' But her announcement immediately prompted disgusted followers to brand the news as 'deranged' and slammed subscribers. 'You've been watching her since she was a child, and the second she turns 18, you're throwing money at her?' one user wrote. Another added, 'Whoever is paying y'all some f**kin creeps and weirdos.' Tay had been teasing the launch for weeks, conducting a public 'vote' on whether she should do it - tagging conservative commentator Michael Knowles, YouTubers like Jake Paul and Pearl Davis, and even Ben Shapiro. Knowles responded: 'No amount of money is worth your dignity.' But Pearl had a different opinion: 'You may as well do it because I don't think you have much else to offer to the world.' Even Lil Tay's half-brother Jason Tian seemed to be disturbed by her decision, as he appeared on her livestream yelling at her and taking her phone. Born Claire Eileen Qi Hope, Lil Tay first went viral in 2017 at age nine after posting videos full of foul language and violent behavior. It later came out that her brother Jason was feeding her lines off-camera, sparking concerns that she was being exploited by her family for money. Around the same time, her mom, Angela Tian, lost her job as a real estate agent for allegedly using her employer's properties and cars in her daughter's videos. After a brief hiatus her Instagram account suddenly went dark. Then, in 2018, the drama shifted to a custody battle between her estranged parents. Her father, Christopher Hope, wanted her to focus on music with more structure and oversight, while her mother and brother preferred her chaotic influencer persona. The situation escalated in 2019 and again in 2021 when Jason launched a GoFundMe and accused their father of abuse and stealing millions from Tay's earnings. Her father denied all allegations. Then in August 2023 a post from Tay's verified Instagram account claimed that both she and her brother had died. For 24 hours, fans believed it - though her father and ex-manager declined to confirm the news. A day later, TMZ reported that both siblings were alive. Lil Tay later alleged that the post was part of a hacking incident, though fans has suspicions that it was her father behind the hoax. Soon after, it was reported that her mother had gained full custody, and her father was ordered to pay $275,000 in child support. But the drama didn't stop there. In September 2024, Lil Tay's account announced she was in the ICU recovering from open-heart surgery after being diagnosed with a life-threatening tumor. The update included photos from her hospital bed and an echocardiogram. Now, less than a year later, she's back online, newly 18 and already stirring fresh controversy. While Tay seems to be excited about her 'comeback' - calling critics 'grown haters' and bragging, 'You can hate on me all you want, you can't say Lil Tay ain't winning.'
Metro
28 minutes ago
- Metro
Kelly Osbourne says she won't 'be ok for a while' following Ozzy's death
Kelly Osbourne has spoken out for the first time since her father Ozzy Osbourne's death in an emotional message. The legendary heavy metal rocker died aged 76 on July 22, and was buried by the lake in the grounds of his Buckinghamshire mansion following a private church service last week. This followed a huge public outpouring of love and mourning from the crowd of thousands that gathered in Ozzy's home city of Birmingham for an emotional funeral procession through its streets the previous day, just weeks after his final ever show there, at Villa Park. Taking to social media, Kelly thanked fans for their support during this difficult time and reflected on her own grief. 'I've sat down to write this a hundred times and still don't know if the words will ever feel like enough…but from the bottom of my heart thank you. 'The love, support, and beautiful messages I've received from so many of you have truly helped carry me through the hardest moment of my life. 'Every kind word, every shared memory, every bit of compassion has meant more than I can ever explain,' she penned in an emotional post on her Instagram story. She added that she wouldn't be ok for some time, but felt supported by the knowledge that so many people are grieving with her. 'Grief is a strange thing – it sneaks up on you in waves- I will not be ok for a while – but knowing my family are not alone in our pain makes a difference. 'I am holding tight to the love, the light, and the legacy left behind. 'Thank you for being there. I love you all so much – Kelly. #BirminghamForever #Ozzy Forever.' The song playing in the background of the post was her father's hit tune See You on the Other Side. Last week, Kelly returned to Instagram late on Friday in one of her first social posts since her beloved dad's funeral. More Trending She shared a single image to her stories with no additional comment, but the picture spoke for itself. Reality show star Kelly, 40, had photographed a picture of a purple funeral wreath for Ozzy, by the lake, which simply – and appropriately – read: 'Ozzy F***ing Osbourne'. At the Back to the Beginning last gig, just weeks before the rocker's death, Kelly's fiancé Sid Wilson proposed. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Donald Trump rushes to Sydney Sweeney's defence after voting controversy MORE: Sir Rod Stewart's 'tacky' AI tribute comes far too soon after Ozzy Osbourne's death MORE: Jack Osbourne admits he 'doesn't have a great relationship' with sister Aimee
Metro
28 minutes ago
- Metro
I supported The Holiday reboot - but they've massively screwed up
TV reboots aren't inherently evil. There, I've said it. I'm not denying that there are some absolute stinkers out there (the Frasier revival flop immediately springs to mind). But when done right, a reboot can be the perfect way of honouring the original and bridging the gap between generations. It's been almost 20 years since The Holiday was released and immediately became an annual festive classic among us hopeless romantics. Who can resist Jude Law's Mr Napkin Head, or Kate Winslet's rousing speech about becoming the leading lady of her own life? When I first heard about the reported TV reboot, I was hopeful. 'Why wouldn't it work?' I figured. There's no reason why the format of the story couldn't be repurposed with new characters, as they swap homes with someone on the other side of the world and embark on journeys of self-discovery. But then, I saw the news that made my heart sink. Nancy Meyers – the film virtuoso who not only wrote The Holiday, but also directed and co-produced it – isn't involved in the upcoming TV spin-off and claims she had absolutely no idea that it was even happening. My jaw fell to the ground. How could they even consider bringing The Holiday back without Meyers, the beating heart of the movie, without whom it wouldn't exist? Following the announcement of the TV reboot – which Deadline reports is being made by producers at Apple TV Plus – the filmmaker wrote on her Instagram Story: 'News to me. Imagine my surprise when I opened Instagram and this was the first post I saw.' Even if the bosses behind the remake had bafflingly decided not to involve her in the new production, to not even inform her that it was happening is shocking if true. I've spent my whole life inhaling Meyers' work. Before The Holiday, I grew up obsessively trying to learn The Parent Trap handshake and wishing I could be as cool a bride as Anne Banks in Father of the Bride, complete with her bedazzled trainers under her gown. There's a fine art to creating a TV reboot that both honours the original story on which it's based, and brings something new to audiences – and these three did just that. Cobra Kai has gone down as one of the most beloved Netflix shows ever, an offshoot from The Karate Kid franchise that brought back legendary rivals Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence decades after the original film. Disney Plus' period drama Shōgun was hailed a TV triumph when it premiered last year, over four decades after the book was adapted into a series starring Richard Chamberlain. Last year, Eddie Redmayne unleashed his sinister side playing the titular assassin in The Day of the Jackal – a role previously played by Edward Fox in 1973 – in a performance that viewers hailed as horrifyingly brilliant. There are admittedly too many reboots left, right and centre – but they don't have to be the enemy, especially when they deliver astounding TV. I remember going to watch The Holiday with my friends when I was 12 years old, rushing to the cinema straight after school in our uniform, gorging on popcorn as the twinkling piano keys of Hans Zimmer's Maestro began playing in the opening scene. Just a couple of years ago, two of my closest friends and I went to watch The Holiday In Concert at The Hammersmith Apollo, and the cheers that erupted from the women in the audience as Iris finally dumped her toxic ex Jasper once and for all made my heart sing. It might have been the prosecco we were sipping that made the scene bring a tear to my eye, but let's not downplay Meyers' writing. In a light-hearted romantic comedy, she created a cinematic heroine – with gallons of gumption – who I've truly looked up to for 19 years. After being made to feel as small as humanly possible, she discovers her self-worth and has the strength to step away from a soul-sucking relationship. To this day, I'm sure many women can see themselves in Iris when they find the courage to put themselves first. So a reboot could have been a perfect confidence booster for the next generation of women. However, taking The Holiday and spinning it into a limited series should not be done without Meyers' magical touch. I have no doubt that those in charge of the reboot are hugely talented in their own right. But will they be able to emulate Meyers' signature charm, her flair that makes you instantly recognise when her pen is behind the script? I don't think so. In December last year, Mr Napkin Head himself Law addressed the possibility of a sequel to The Holiday, telling 'Of course, that conversation comes up, 'Is there an idea?' But that all lands in Nancy Meyers' lap. More Trending 'She's pretty meticulous. So she would only do it if it was a really robust idea and then it would be whether the four of us would come back. I would be curious to see what they're all doing.' This was in reference to the original four leads returning to reprise their roles in a sequel, rather than a reboot with new characters. Nonetheless, the message is clear. No Meyers? No fairytale ending. Metro has contacted Apple TV Plus for comment. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: I feel sorry for Rebecca Loos after Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins MORE: Coyote Ugly founder was 'driven nuts' by one detail in iconic 00s rom-com MORE: Brock Lesnar makes controversial WWE return after 2 years at SummerSlam
