Kesha Updates Artwork for ‘Delusional' Single Following AI Criticism
First released in November 2025, 'Delusional' was issued as the second single from Kesha's forthcoming sixth album, . (Period). However, the track's original artwork – which depicted a number of handbags with the word 'delusional' spray painted on them, often incorrectly – was swiftly criticized for its use of generative AI.
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Kesha did not respond to the backlash, or address fans' requests to commission an actual artist to create new imagery for the single. However, on Tuesday (May 20), she took to social media to share new artwork for the single, along with an explanation for the update.
'When making the single art for my song 'Delusional,' I wanted to make the point that it's DELUSIONAL that the world expects artists to continue making art when we are so undervalued,' she explained. 'I tried to echo my ideas in the form of a political single cover. I've realized that living in alignment with my integrity is more important than proving a point.
'So I've decided to change the cover art for this song. She's one of my favorites.'
Kesha also made a point to individually thank the creative team behind the artwork, including the photographer, videographer, stylists, and more. 'Thanks to my crew for helping me live out here in my highest and c–tiest potential,' she added.
In closing her social post, Kesha also addressed the elephant in the room, directly shifting her focus to the work of AI and the toll it can take on real creatives in the process.
'AI is a Pandora's box that we as a society have collectively opened, and I think it's important that we keep human ramifications in mind as we learn how to use it as a tool and not as a replacement,' she explained. 'Just me healing, in real time.'
The updated artwork arrives less than two months from the release of . (Period) on July 4 via her own Kesha Records label. It also arrives as her first LP since the 2023 settlement of a yearslong legal battle with Dr. Luke over Kesha's claims that he drugged and raped her in 2005, after which he sued her for defamation while calling the allegations 'false and shocking.'
'I'm really excited for the world to hear this, because I've been in control of everything,' she revealed on The Jennifer Hudson Show recently.
'It's been all of my vision, all of my words, a lot of hard work, a lot of joy,' she continued. 'Really coming back home to myself and feeling what freedom really looks like, feels like, sounds like.'
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