Latest news with #Zelu
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
AI influencer Mia Zelu fools fans and sports star at Wimbledon 2025
Mia Zelu, a poised and polished figure who appeared to grace Wimbledon 2025 with designer fashion and dreamy captions, has been revealed to be entirely AI-generated. Her photorealistic posts amassed more than 150,000 followers and even drew attention from Indian cricketer Rishabh Pant before her non-human identity was exposed. Zelu's Instagram featured the hallmarks of influencer culture: curated luxury outfits, poetic captions, and picture-perfect shots from the All-England Club. 'I still believe in magic. Especially the kind you find in unexpected places, like courtside at Wimbledon,' read one post, echoing the introspective tone that typically garners high engagement. But behind the illusion was not a person, but a machine. While her bio now discloses her AI origin, the deception had already sparked a viral wave, prompting scrutiny and media coverage. Rishabh Pant's interaction with the account helped fuel the buzz, highlighting how convincingly the digital persona had passed for real. Industry watchers say Zelu represents the next phase in influencer marketing. AI-generated characters are already making waves on Instagram and TikTok, combining high realism with strategic storytelling. But critics warn that blurring the line between real and synthetic figures risks eroding online trust. 'This is a social experiment that worked almost too well,' said one tech expert. Meanwhile, a digital strategist argued it's simply evolution: 'Advertising has used fictional characters for decades, this is just the modern version.' The creators of Zelu remain anonymous. But the project's impact is clear: it challenged perceptions of authenticity and showed how easily people can be drawn into believing a digital illusion.
Hindustan Times
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Who is Mia Zelu? AI influencer fakes Wimbledon appearance, fools internet
Mia Zelu has turned heads at Wimbledon 2025 with visuals of her attending various tennis events. However, a series of convincing images showing a fashion-forward woman are fake. The influencer with over 150,000 Instagram followers is an AI-powered social media star. Mia Zelu, an "influencer-AI" and a "digital storyteller" on Instagram. (Instagram/@miazelu) Mia Zelu's Wimbledon posts: Her Wimbledon-related content seems very real at first glance. For example, the one where she is seen enjoying the iconic Pimm's drink at the tournament while wearing a white dress. There are also other photos shared with it. Besides the super-realistic pictures, Zulu also shares captions that are heartfelt, touching, or interesting. While sharing her photo in the white dress along with other pics, the AI influencer posted, 'Still not over the event… but the party's a whole other game. Which Wimbledon match was your fave?' AI-influencer's recent Wimbledon post: In a post shared a little over 10 hours ago, she wrote, 'They'll only notice once it works. But you'll remember every moment it didn't — and you kept going anyway. To everyone out there building in silence, doubting in private, hoping in secret — don't stop. Your time will come. Keep showing up. Never give up.' The pictures accompanying the post show Zelu wearing a mint green dress. What does Mia Zelu's profile say? Her Instagram profile lists her as a 'digital creator.' It also says she is 'Digital storyteller & influencer-AI.' Who is behind the account? The identity of the person behind the AI influencer remains unknown. Mia Zelu is not the only one: Though Zelu went viral for her 'appearances' at Wimbledon in London, she is not the only 'influencer-AI.' The AI influencer has an AI-generated 'sister' -Ana Zelu. 'Meet my wonderful sister Mia @miazelu and my favorite photographer! She finally decided to open up her Instagram, so show her some love!' Ana Zelu wrote in an Instagram post shared in March.
Toronto Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE: Sexy AI-influencer wows at Wimbledon
Don't believe everything you see on the internet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Social media star Mia Zelu has turned heads, particularly after she was photographed at Wimbledon this year. While Zelu, who has more than 158,000 followers on Instagram, is stunningly beautiful, there's more to her than meets the eye. According to her bio, Zelu is a 'digital storyteller' and 'influencer-AI' — meaning all those shots of her at the All-England Tennis Club are all thanks to artificial intelligence. In recent photos, the blond bombshell is pictured in the stands and among other fans at the tennis tournament. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. More Wimbledon-related photos show her sipping on the event's iconic Pimm's drink and elsewhere on the grounds in London. 'Still not over the event… but the party's a whole other game,' she captioned the post. 'Which Wimbledon match was your fave?' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The fake content creator — whose creator is unknown — also shares very human-like thoughts and feelings in her captions. In her most recent Wimbledon post, Zelu wrote, 'They'll only notice once it works. But you'll remember every moment it didn't — and you kept going anyway.' She added: 'To everyone out there building in silence, doubting in private, hoping in secret — don't stop. Your time will come. Keep showing up. Never give up.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In one post, the fictitious poster even spoke about mental health struggles. 'You know what's exhausting? Pretending you're okay while you're slowly burning out,' the AI-generated influencer declared in one post where she appears more sombre yet equally gorgeous. 'Smiling in messages, staying 'productive,' answering 'all good!' while everything feels off.' Zelu added, 'We've all done it. Some of us are still doing it. Because being honest feels risky. Because we don't want to seem weak or dramatic. Because it's just easier.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It appears not even influencers are safe from new AI tools that allow users to generate hyperrealistic images that make it difficult for the untrained eye to notice. Despite the fact Zelu discloses that she is 'AI' in her profile, that hasn't stopped admirers flooding the comments sections of her posts with proposals and compliments. RECOMMENDED VIDEO 'Are you real?' one person asked, apparently unironically. Another noted: 'Naturally beautiful, the Christie Brinkley of this era.' One even commented on her skincare, to which Zelu replied, 'Filters.' Read More Editorial Cartoons World Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA
Courier-Mail
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
‘Sexy' Wimbledon influencer catfishes famous sports star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tennis. Followed categories will be added to My News. She's too good to be true. After threatening to replace humans in seemingly every sector from law to academia, artificial intelligence is now going after our influencer gigs as well. Meet Mia Zelu, an AI-powered social media star who has amassed over 150,000 Instagram followers by sharing sexy pics of herself at various tennis events and elsewhere. Watch England vs India Test Series LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo Sports| New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. In a recent Insta post, the hyperrealistic blonde bombshell is seen sitting courtside at the All England Club during Wimbledon drinking Pimm's, a drink that's associated with the tournament. 'Still not over the event … but the party's a whole other game,' Zelu, who bills herself as a 'digital storyteller' captioned the pic. 'Which Wimbledon match was your fave?' Mia Zelu poses in the stands at a tennis match. She's amassed over 150,000 Instagram followers by sharing stunning snaps. Picture: Instagram/@miazelu Another showed the tennis influencer — whose creator is unclear — in the stands during a match. Her photos aren't the only things that are super naturalistic — Zelu also 'uploads' surprisingly heartfelt and human-seeming messages as well. 'You know what's exhausting? Pretending you're okay while you're slowly burning out,' the fictitious content creator declared in one post alongside a pic of her rocking jean shorts at a cafe. 'Smiling in messages, staying 'productive', answering 'all good!' while everything feels off.' She added: 'We've all done it. Some of us are still doing it. Because being honest feels risky. 'Because we don't want to seem weak or dramatic. Because it's just easier.' Zelu even has a 'sister' named Ana, who's a brunette and has amassed 266,000 followers on the platform by posting similarly glamorous snaps. Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant was active on Zelu's social account. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell) Despite the fact that Zelu discloses that she's 'AI' in her Insta profile, thousands of admirers liked her post and even posted fawning replies such as 'you look stunning' and 'will you marry me'. Some even inquired about her 'skin care routine', although it's yet unclear how many of these replies were posted in jest. However, some hawk-eyed viewers noticed that Indian cricket star Rishabh Pant had liked many of her posts, leading them to believe that he'd been 'catfished'. 'Rishabh Pant thinks he's interacting with a real girl, totally oblivious to the fact that it's an AI,' criticised one, while another scoffed, 'Someone should probably tell Rishabh Pant that this is an AI account …' Zelu is one of many AI influencers on the market. Picture: Instagram/@miazelu Coincidentally, Pant's likes of Velu's posts are no longer visible on Instagram and he has yet to weigh in on the backlash, the Daily Mail reported. Zelu is one of a growing roster of AI-influencers flooding the market. Last year, virtual influencer Alba Renai went viral after getting hired as the first non-human host on a weekly special segment of 'Survivor' in Spain. While the trend might seem harmless, there are plenty of dangers to the proliferation of AI doppelgangers — beyond just leaving a certain cricketer with a red face. Last year, a UK woman who fell for a 'US army colonel' she met on Tinder discovered later that he was a romance scammer after he swindled her out of over $20,000 by deploying hyperrealistic AI videos. This story first appeared in the New York Post and was republished with permission. Originally published as 'Sexy' Wimbledon influencer catfishes famous sports star
New York Post
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Sexy influencer takes Wimbledon by storm, leaves athletes drooling — but there's a big catch
She's too good to be true. After threatening to replace humans in seemingly every sector from law to academia, artificial intelligence is now going after our influencer gigs as well. Meet Mia Zelu, an AI-powered social media star who has amassed over 150,000 Instagram followers by sharing sexy pics of herself at various tennis events and elsewhere. Advertisement In a recent Insta post, the hyperrealistic blond bombshell is seen sitting courtside at the All England Club during Wimbledon while drinking Pimm's, a drink that's associated with the tournament. 4 Mia Zelu poses in the stands at a tennis match. Instagram / @miazelu 'Still not over the event… but the party's a whole other game,' Zelu, who bills herself as a 'digital storyteller' captioned the pic. 'Which Wimbledon match was your fave?' Advertisement Another showed the tennis influencer — whose creator is unclear — in the stands during a match. Her photos aren't the only things that are super naturalistic — Zelu also 'uploads' surprisingly heartfelt and human-seeming messages as well. 4 'Still not over the event… but the party's a whole other game,' Zelu, who bills herself as a 'digital storyteller' captioned the above pic. 'Which Wimbledon match was your fave?' Instagram / @miazelu 'You know what's exhausting? Pretending you're okay while you're slowly burning out,' the fictitious content creator declared in one post alongside a pic of her rocking jean shorts at a cafe. 'Smiling in messages, staying 'productive,' answering 'all good!' while everything feels off.' Advertisement She added, 'We've all done it. Some of us are still doing it. Because being honest feels risky. Because we don't want to seem weak or dramatic. Because it's just easier.' 4 Zelu has amassed over 150,000 Instagram followers by sharing stunning snaps. Instagram / @miazelu Mia even has a 'sister' named Ana, who's brunette and has amassed 266,000 followers on the platform by posting similarly glamorous snaps. Despite the fact that Zelu discloses that she's 'AI' in her Insta profile, thousands of admirers liked her post and even posted fawning replies such as 'you look stunning' and 'will you marry me.' Advertisement Some even inquired about her 'skincare routine,' although its yet unclear how many of these replies were posted in jest. 4 Zelu is one of many AI influencers on the market. Instagram / @miazelu However, some hawk-eyed viewers noticed that Indian wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant had liked many of her posts, leading them to believe that he'd been 'catfished.' 'Rishabh Pant thinks he's interacting with a real girl, totally oblivious to the fact that it's an AI,' criticized one, while another scoffed, 'Someone should probably tell Rishabh Pant that this is an AI account…' Coincidentally, Pant's likes of Velu's posts are no longer visible on Instagram and he has yet to weigh in on the backlash, the Daily Mail reported. Zelu is one of a growing roster of AI-nfluencers flooding the market. Last year, virtual influencer Alba Renai went viral after getting hired as the first non-human host on a weekly special segment of 'Survivor' in Spain. While the trend might seem harmless, there are plenty of dangers to the proliferation of AI doppelgangers — beyond just leaving a certain cricketer with a red face. Last year, a UK woman who fell for a 'US army colonel' she met on Tinder discovered later that he was a romance scammer after he swindled her out of over $20,000 by deploying hyperrealistic AI videos.
