Latest news with #Dove
The South African
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
Meet the AI-generated sisters that are duping the internet
Mia Zelu, a stunning blonde influencer with piercing blue eyes and flawless skin, recently turned heads with her stylish photo series from Wimbledon. To the casual scroller, she looks like just another fashion-savvy content creator enjoying the London Grand Slam – an event known for attracting A-list spectators. However, a closer look reveals something more sinister: Mia is entirely AI-generated. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝑀𝑖𝑎 𝑍𝑒𝑙𝑢 ♡ (@miazelu) Her profile, which already boasts more than 160 000 followers, openly describes her as a 'digital storyteller & AI influencer.' Though the creator behind the persona remains a mystery. Her Instagram page is filled with enviable, bucket-list stuff that is so lifelike that many users admit they were fooled at first glance. In her latest upload, Mia is posing with her sister Ana at the Belgian Grand Prix, with the inspirational caption 'Amid all the noise and speed — find your line. The one only you can drive.' Ana, meanwhile, has been active on Instagram since January 2024, and has amassed nearly 270 000 followers.* In fact, Ana introduced Mia on 14 March 2025 with a post that read, 'Meet my wonderful sister Mia @miazelu and my favorite photographer! She finally decided to open up her Instagram, so show her some love!' In the accompanying photo, the influencer sisters are sitting together at a cafe in Spain. Or so viewers are led to believe. More concerning than the fake accounts, as some commentators have pointed out, is that Mia and Ana belong to a new wave of AI influencers promoting an unattainable, Eurocentric standard of beauty. 'AI is shaping our world – and with it, our perceptions of beauty,' said Dominique Baxewanos, creative director at ad agency VML South Africa. VML (who work with Dove) have developed a world-first Chrome extension that makes it possible for anyone to generate realistic images of beauty that reflect all ages and ethnicities. 'AI tools carry with them a significant problem: their outputs reflect the biases inherent in the data on which they're trained,' Baxewanos added. 'Ask an AI to generate a 'beautiful woman,' and the result is often a filtered, Western-centric ideal.' For the Zelu sisters, it's not just the pictures that are convincing, but also their computer-generated personas. And they're not the only ones grabbing attention. Ana and Mia have joined a rising wave of virtual influencers – ever since Lil Miquela first burst onto Instagram in 2016. Miquela now commands an audience of over 2.4 million, while Spain's Aitana Lopez, created in 2023, has nearly 400 000 followers. According to Lopez's creators, the AI model can earn up to €10 000 (R207 00) a month, with the average usually around €3 000 (R62 000) per month.* With creators staying mostly behind the scenes, AI influencers like Mia and Ana Zelu are blurring the line between digital fiction and real life. *at time of publishing Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Campaign ME
20 hours ago
- Business
- Campaign ME
Cannes Lions 2025: Evidence-based, coalition-built, transparent and human
Cannes Lions 2025 felt less like a festival of fireworks and more like a stress test of truth. Serving on the PR jury, I spent long nights debating whether ideas deserved a Lion once the gloss was stripped away. That perspective shaped seven lessons I carried home, and each one speaks to where brand storytelling is heading next. Being believed is now worth more than being seen. On day one, Apple's Tor Myhren warned that AI will not save advertising unless humans raise the standard. Later, our jury dropped a high-gloss submission the moment its impact numbers proved to be guesses. The work that climbed to Gold arrived with proof the public would recognise as real. In an era of deepfakes and automated hype, authority must be earned the hard way. Authority grows fastest when you bring credible partners on board. Dove's 'Real Beauty' campaign won the Grand Prix in the Glass: The Lion for Change category at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2025 because NGOs, creators and media figures all shared ownership of the message. India's Lucky Yatra, this year's PR Grand Prix, paired Indian Railways with broadcasters and a lottery mechanic that turned humble train tickets into national news. The biggest spend wasn't media; it was relationship-building. Everyone praises diversity but few show it working in real time. Our jury did. We came from five continents and every corner of communications, so each case was cross-examined for cultural nuance, ethical red flags and lived experience I could never see alone. Early debates felt slower until they didn't. By the time we reached the Grand Prix shortlist, the work had survived every angle of attack. When the chair of the jury called for a show of hands – 10 hands rose in 10 seconds. Many voices didn't create gridlock; they created confidence. If you want fast, decisive calls, fill the room with people who see the world differently. Creators underscored the same truth. In government, you never put a spokesperson on stage without a clear brief. The rule now applies when you hand your story to an influencer. The Social and Creator Grand Prix, 'Vaseline Verified', proved it. TikTok dermatology voices received the brand's lab results up front and freedom to film in their own style – sometimes playful and sometimes clinical. Safe hacks earned a 'Verified' stamp while dangerous myths were debunked by the same creators. Because the message arrived through trusted voices, followers believed it instantly and spread it widely. Credibility that you can't buy was amplified to millions in minutes. The same demand for openness echoed on the sustainability stage. Ad Net Zero used Cannes to publish its latest carbon-measurement framework and called on brands to release emissions data as openly as financials. Gulf regulators and mega-projects are moving toward full carbon disclosure in supplier tenders; marketing briefs won't lag far behind, so this 'radical transparency' will reach our tender desks sooner than many expect. Elsewhere, analysts conceded that a single universal metric for marketing is fantasy; brands must embrace multiple measures and show their working. Sunlight is expanding, and anything opaque –whether carbon footprint, fees or research methods – will soon look suspect. The Design for Behavioural Change Lion also earned the spotlight. Lucky Yatra used the chance to win a trophy, showing how it altered commuter habits. Another winner, 'Caption With Intention', rewired video captions so deaf viewers could feel suspense, humour and irony. Ideas that change what people do – not just what they remember – now set the creative bar. Pure PR success came from ideas born for conversation, not media spend. Nordea Bank's 'Parental Leave Mortgage' let parents pause repayments during leave and spread through press coverage without a hero film. In the jury room we pressed every contender with three questions: Is it culturally urgent? Can it move without paid support? Will it survive fact-checking tomorrow? Campaigns that cleared that bar soared; those that relied on rented attention faded. So, what should marketers in our region take from Cannes? First, prove impact before you proclaim it, because audiences now inspect the footnotes. Second, invite unlikely partners – creators, regulators, even rivals – because coalitions unlock reach that money cannot buy. Third, design ideas to shift behaviour, not merely impressions; when habits change, headlines follow. Judging Cannes was a reminder that creativity and public trust are now inseparable. Ideas succeed when they act like good policy: evidence-based, coalition-built, transparent and human. That was the standard we applied at two in the morning in the jury room, and it is the same standard audiences apply in daylight. By Khaled AlShehhi, Executive Director of Marketing and Communication, UAE Government Media Office
Buzz Feed
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
32 Reviewer-Beloved Gems Hidden In The Depths Of Amazon
Nyx's brand new "Smushy" Matte Lip Balm made with mochi rice powder (!!) for the ultimate subtly blended soft matte look. Reviewers love that it's buildable, moisturizing, gives their lips a ~natural~ look, and comes in delicious flavors like cherry pie and raspberry sorbet 😋. A holy grail, internet-beloved 5-in-1 Edgelift Curl Brush to define curls, waves, and coils, help prevent frizz, and create precise parts and sections. Reviewers of all curl and wave types are just short of shouting in the comments about how they never found a brush that worked as well as this one, and parents are especially grateful for how easily this untangles their kiddo's hair! A Bob Ross "Paint with Water" book as the ultimate "turn your brain off" de-stressor to possibly ever exist?? All you have to do is dab a brush full of water on the pages to slowly but surely unearth all the beautiful colors hidden underneath and reveal a beautiful Bob Ross masterpiece. Parents also love this as a mess-free activity to enjoy with kids! A teensy two-in-one nausea relief inhaler designed to help with spontaneous nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness, and general queasiness (having a human body is hard). You can either use it as a scent inhaler or rub it directly on the tip of your nose for relief. Summer road trips and cruises just got a HECK of a lot more bearable. Moroccanoil's Mini Must-Haves Sampler, which is so affordable that I'm not not pinching myself to make sure I'm awake. Reviewers especially love these teensy versions for traveling in ~luxury~ on the cheap, and for trying these beloved splurgeworthy products without committing to the whole price first! A retro-style Comfort Pro rocking camp chair in a newer "Sweet Tea" color combo so darling that all of its cool features are just an extra perk. Reviewers have loved this cult-fave, lightweight outdoor chair for years because it's super lightweight, portable, and ohhhh-so-comfortable when you're sitting for long spells during games, camping trips, or other outdoor events. Now it's cuter than it's ever been!! A reviewer-beloved Choco Musk concentrated perfume rollerball that's taking the affordable perfume world by storm — this is perfect for anyone who loooooves the smell of warm vanilla, spicy amber, and musky cocoa. Bonus: it's made without alcohol, so it doesn't have that chemical smell and will effortlessly blend with other scents! A floral cover edition of Burn After Writing, a guided journal countless TikTokers swear by — through a series of questions and thought experiments, it encourages people to take time away from their screens to explore their feelings, both new and old, so they can embrace meaningful ones and try to let others go. Dove's Coconut Milk & Sugar Lychee Body Wash so moisturizing, gentle, and decadently-scented that you're going to feel fully transported to your ~happy place~ every time you lather it on. This is especially lovely for sensitive skin, since the plant milk base is nutrient-rich and sulfate-free to keep your skin feeling eeextra soft and loved. A set of kid-friendly hydrocolloid mosquito itch relief patches you can wear at the beach, pool, bath, or shower without worrying about them sliding off. Reviewers swear by these not just for helping prevent itching, but to reduce the redness and swelling faster. A set of cheerful Lego botanical "happy plants," aka your new favorite coworkers. How can capitalism bring you down when these two are smiling up at you all day long? All the joys of having an office plant without the shame of your coworkers being like, "Shouldn't you ... maybe ... water that??" A limited edition (!!) Eos Marshmallow "Super Balm" lip treatment from the brand's "secret menu" so good that reviewers say it's better than Carmex for healing and better than Summer Fridays for quality. Lip care that also tastes like you're perpetually eating a s'more for less than $5?? My friends, life is good. A set of reusable, commercially compostable sandwich-size food bags so good at their job that they're leakproof, freezer-safe, and *wayyy* better for the environment than their regular plastic sandwich bag counterparts. If you're looking for an easy way to cut plastic from your life, these are about to be your new lunchtime BFFs. McCormick's Potato Topping Seasoning for anyone who's not afraid to get a little feral about their air-fried, mashed, and baked potatoes — this blend of salt, garlic, and asiago cheese is so mouthwateringly delicious that you'll be dumping it on everything from popcorn to grilled cheese to guacamole. A set of lightweight, oh-so-dainty ruffled pajamas inspired by the $89 Piyama version. Revievers are in loooove with this set for summer, saying the fabric is so high quality that it feels like linen. If you're looking for breezy warm weather loungewear, this adorable set fits the bill! Billion Dollar Brows Eyebrow Powder to fill in your brows as naturally and realistically as the $23 Anastasia Brow Duo version for less than half the price. Reviewers are stunned by how effective this is and how long it lasts, especially at such a low price point. A set of biodegradable ultra-soft face towels inspired by the much pricier $18 Clean Skin Club version — a lot of folks with sensitive skin and acne *swear* by these, particularly because it helps prevent exposing their skin to bacteria that may collect in ordinary reusable towels. A pack of instant cold-stirred foam caramel iced lattes so you can get all that delicious, decadent ~froth~ you love so much right from the comfort of your own home. Considering the price of a fancy bev these days, this is a STEAL at a buck per drink. Vacation Orange Gelée SPF 30 Gel, a luxurious "balm to oil" blend designed to smell and look so good that you'll wonder how the SPF even got in there. The iconic orange tint blends perfectly into all skin tones and leaves a glossy shine, and the scent is nothing short of decadent — a "French Riviera" scent that blends sandalwood, bergamot, saffron, patchouli, and clove. Suddenly, putting on sunscreen doesn't feel like a chore!! A pair of elevated, effortlessly chic wide leg petal sweatpants that look like they fell out of an Anthropologie ad. Reviewers love how cozy and breathable these are, and that the style is perfect for indoor lounging *and* outdoor errands. Dr Teal's "Hawaiian Bliss" Epsom salt magnesium soak, a ~limited edition~ blend of red sea salt, papaya, and hibiscus, reviewers are so in love with that a ton of them are buying extra bags (or literally hoarding them) before the brand runs out. One reviewer went so far as to call it "heaven in a bag!" A pair of cheerful, super lightweight boxer-style shorts so comfy and adorable that you are about to put all other styles on notice for the rest of the year — especially since these are a MUCH cheaper alternative to the $98 Reformation version. Yankee Candle's Midsummer's Night, or what I like to call a "goth summer candle," as a perfectly moody way to usher in the warmer weather if you're not a big fan of sweetness and floral. Reviewers compare this alluring blend of musk, patchouli, sage, and mahogany to a soft cologne. An SPF 50 Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar, a K-beauty staple with a curved balm stick style that makes it super easy to apply, and a non-sticky, white cast-free formula that plays ABSURDLY well with makeup. If you're looking for a lightweight "soft matte" sunscreen to protect your skin, this is your new BFF. A fully wireless (Shark Tank-featured!) stick-on "Poplight" sconce so easy to install that you literally just charge it up and stick it to the wall with non-damaging adhesive. It is a renter and indecisive decorator's DREAM — all the whimsy and function of a cute sconce with none of the effort!! HGTV nerds all over the world are shaking. A 3-in-1 charging cord to juice up your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at the same time. (It's giving witchcraft??) This just solved all your "welp, everything's dying and there's only one outlet in this car/on this flight/in this teensy hotel room" problems for good. A set of spicy margarita instant cocktail tea bags — all the sophistication of tea and the 😜 of a cheeky cocktail, without the exorbitant bar price tags or the sugar crash. All you have to do is add three ounces of cold water, 1.5 ounces of hard liquor, and the tea sachet into a glass, and you'll have a delicious cocktail in one minute. E.l.f. Sheer For It Blush Tint, the $5 answer to the beloved $26 Benetint that does just as brilliant of a job despite costing five times less. This flush of pigment for your lips and cheeks is perfect for those lightweight, "no makeup makeup" looks that are especially key on a day when the sun is showing no mercy. An effortlessly chic woven straw summer clutch to pair perfectly with any summer outfit, whether you're kicking back at the beach or fancying it up for a wedding. This is basically the purse equivalent of that one friend of yours who's always like "Yeah, I'm down" before you even tell them the plans. A clever bee-shaped toothpick dispenser designed so that the toothpicks come out of the "stinger." Everyone will simply be ~~buzzing~~ over how adorable this looks on your dinner table. A set of golden bracelets giving ~quiet luxury~ vibes at "I want to pay rent this month" prices. Reviewers especially love these mix-and-match sets because they look like expensive versions from Cartier — the middle one is giving the $8,000 "Juste Un Clou" and the studded one is giving the $6,000 "Love Bracelet!" A pair of high-waisted "Secretsculpt" biker shorts with some real booty-lifting action (AND NO FRONT SEAM!!) that will have you admiring your reflection in shop windows all summer long. Psst — reviewers compare these to the WAY more expensive $64 Lululemon Align shorts, and these come in a whopping 11 colors!!
Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I tested Shark's FlexBreeze HydroGo misting fan in a heatwave — and now I can't live without it
The Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo is kicking up a storm this summer. It feels almost cruel to write a glowing review while stock is low and everyone wants one, but in case you're wondering, the rumors are true. This is a brilliant fan that manages to deliver powerful cooling with a small frame. And the misting function? Oh boy, it has me feeling fresh and gently spritzed, not drenched, like I did with its larger counterpart the FlexBreeze Pro. Wondering if it's right for you? Keep reading for my full, honest review. Price $299 / £249 Size 8.65 in L x 8.35 in W x 11.47 in H Colors Dark Gray, Dove, Glacier, Quartz, Lilac, Honeydew Battery UN3481 – Lithium Ion Battery Weight 5 lbs Airflow range 70ft Power 1.6 amps Settings 5 speed settings, 2 natural breeze settings, constant misting, intermittent misting The Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo arrives with some charge, which I appreciated because it arrived on a sweltering hot day. Its charger is pretty bulky, but you can also buy a car charging cord on the Shark website. For $149 / £119, this isn't a cheap option. And there are plenty of cheap fans on the likes of Amazon, so it's not a purchase to make lightly. Luckily, it's been on sale for around $100 / £100 for the past few weeks. I tested although the Dark Gray colorway, but I'd have loved to try the Honeydew or Lilac shades. I love that Shark sells this fan in a range of bright hues, but it's sold out in a lot of the brand's more fun colors right now. Now reduced to just $99 in the Grey shade, the FlexBreeze HydroGo Misting Fan is low in stock at Amazon and direct at Ninja, so this is a deal worth picking up fast. The Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo weighs 5lbs, and while it's not the most compact, I do think it's pretty portable. If you're packing the car for a picnic, there's no reason not to throw it in the trunk. But if you're heading on a hike, it might be a bit too large for your rucksack! There are some removable stickers on the fan which walk you through the settings. I left these on while I figured the fan out, but its controls are pretty straightforward. There's a power button, a misting button (which you also use to toggle between the constant and intermittent setting) and a fan speed button, which you press to increase the fan speed incrementally from one to five, and then between the two natural breeze settings. The natural breeze mode undulates to mimic a more authentic experience, which is a nice change from those fans that pelt you with a rush of air straight to the face, which can dry out your eyes and make your throat feel funny. You can also fill up the water tank on the back of the machine with a flap that lifts and can be positioned beneath a faucet. The water capacity is pretty small. I found that it ran out after around an 45 minutes of constant misting. As for the battery life? I really can't complain in that department. I used this fan on setting 1 for an entire work day, and by the time I was done, the battery level indicator had only changed from orange to yellow, indicating a battery life of around 60%. So that's 9+ hours of contant use on a single charge, and it could probably deliver at least another 9. My partner's parents visited when I was testing this fan, and they used it overnight to help cool our sweltering guest room. They had it on high speed, and reported that it only ran out at around 5am, meaning it gave them 6 hours of contant high-speed cooling. Another impressive feature is how quiet this fan is. I measured the noise produced at a number of levels using the SoundMeter app on my phone. They read: Setting Noise Level (dB) Fan level 1 52 Fan level 2 62 Fan level 3 66 Fan level 4 77 Fan level 5 89 So the noise level ramps up significantly when you need some serious cooling, but the sound quality is not annoying in the slightest. It's a low whirring without any whiny qualities. The misting feature barely makes a sound. It didn't register on my SoundMeter app whatsoever. If I could describe it, I'd say it's like a higher-pitched fizzing noise. After my run-in with drenching my in-laws with the Shark FlexBreeze Pro, I had to choose a less risky test subject with the HydroGo: Me. And fortunately, I had a much nicer experience. As you can see, the mist with this fan is super fine. It's got a decent projection, too. I could leave it on my coffee table while sitting on the couch and still get a light spritzing. It doesn't leave me feeling wet, and my clothes didn't get damp either. I felt pretty confident using it indoors, but I wouldn't leave it on top of my vintage furniture just in case it caused any water damage. Obviously, there's no oscillation with this fan, but its head does lift and lower manually to ensure you're getting the right angle. Oscillation with a portable tabletop fan would be a lot to ask, but seeing as I find this fan hard to fault, it is one feature that I think could level it up. For now, you'll need to get one for you and one for a friend, because you can't share. Is it worth the hype? Yes. Is it worth the price. Also yes. You can find tabletop fans online for a lot less, but I don't know if you'll find one that offers the versatility, battery power, low-noise, and divine misting capabilities of the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo. I do think that an oscillation feature would take this fan to another level, and it wouldn've been nice if the water tank had a little more capacity, but refilling is super easy if you bring a water bottle to the picnic. So if you've been weighing up your purchase, take it from me: the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo is the sidekick you need to survive the summer.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Rita Ora puts on a leggy display in white lace leotard as she takes to the stage at star-studded Summer Gala in Saint-Tropez
Rita Ora ensured all eyes were on her as she took to the stage during the Summer Gala by Gala One Saint-Tropez 2025 in Gassin, France on Thursday. The singer, 34, put on a leggy display as she performed for attendees in a whit elace leotard that highlighted her incredible figure. The Black Widow hitmaker also wore a pair of tights and added height to her frame with black ankle boots. Rita attended the event with her husband Taika Waititi and when she wasn't on stage, she slipped into a black midi dress with a sweetheart neckline. The star also wore a pair of black heels and styled her blonde locks into a curly updo for the evening. The singer, 34, put on a leggy display as she performed for attendees in a whit elace leotard that highlighted her incredible figure Film director Taika looked dapper in a teal blazer and matching trousers along with a white shirt. Also in attendance at the event wasJamie, 57, Foxx who looked dapper in an all-white suit and shirt combo, finishing with white trainers and a silver chain. He was joined by his daughter Corinne, who stunned in a black cut-out dress with a dramatic thigh-high slit. Rita also posed for a snap with fashion designer Georgina Chapman who looked stunning in a black strapless dress with a bewelled embellishment. Model Frida, 30, was effortlessly elegant in a satin brown halter-neck gown that highlighted her bronzed glow. While Kelly Rutherford, 56, looked radiant in a white off-the-shoulder lace dress, adding white heeled mules and a Birkin bag. Leonardo DiCaprio was among the guests and kept a characteristically low profile in a black cap. Also in attendance were Victoria Silvstedt, Casey Affleck, and Chantel Jeffries. The singer, 34, posed up a storm on the red carpet, joining Jamie Foxx, Frida Aasen, and Kelly Rutherford at the glamorous event. Model Frida, 30, was effortlessly elegant in a satin brown halter-neck gown that highlighted her bronzed glow The glamorous evening brought together stars from film, fashion, and music for a dazzling night on the French Riviera. The event comes just days after Rita admitted that she felt 'ugly' in her late twenties because she 'wasn't as thin as other people'. The singer appeared on Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast in partnership with Dove's Self Esteem Project for a candid body confidence chat. Rita opened up about how her relationship with her body has changed in recent years, as she revealed she used to feel like her body wasn't 'hot'. 'I think for me the idea of looking a certain way in my late 20s, that's when it started to hit me because my stamina was low, I wasn't looking after my body, I was getting sick a lot and I didn't feel like my body was hot,' Rita said. 'And I didn't accept the idea of okay well I'm not as thin as these other people - and so I'm ugly. And that's really sad to think back on because I know I wasn't. 'It's like what you do when you're attacking your younger self like in therapy, and it's like that girl was still really beautiful.' Sharing the clip on Instagram on Wednesday, Rita wrote: 'I sat down with @Dove and @HappyPlaceOfficial to share why I believe body confidence starts with self care focusing on what your body needs - not what it looks like. 'Proud to partner with the Dove Self Esteem Project on #Why2k - together we're rewriting the rules and helping women build body confidence.' It comes after Rita recently revealed how Beyoncé has always been her 'protector' as she discussed being hit by speculation that she was 'Becky with the good hair'. Beyoncé's smash hit 2016 album Lemonade featured poignant lyrics about cheating and she sang about the mysterious woman in her track Sorry. Fans widely speculated it referred to alleged infidelity by Beyoncé's husband Jay-Z with a woman called 'Becky', and theories began circulating online about her identity. Rita found herself at the centre of the rumours as she was wrongly accused of having an affair with Jay-Z, with the singer forced to hit back and deny the claims. Now, Rita - who was represented by Jay-Z's Roc Nation label at the time - revealed she was so upset by the claims because Beyoncé has always been her 'protector'.
