Maria Carey and the Spotify Wrapped 2024 AI Scandal

Mariah Carey is clearing up rumors about her 2024 Spotify Wrapped video.

Mariah Carey is clearing up rumors about her 2024 Spotify Wrapped video.

The “Honey” singer addressed speculation that the personalized video—where she thanks fans for their support—was created using artificial intelligence. She shared her response in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday night.

“Bad lighting and a red lip have you all thinking this is AI??” Carey wrote in reply to a fan account that had shared the video. “There’s a reason I’m not a fan of either of those things! About to celebrate #Christmastime with my Boston #lambily!”

In the video, Carey appears in a Santa-themed outfit, complete with red lipstick, as she expresses her gratitude. “Your support through the years is the greatest gift I could ask for,” she says. “This year, we’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of my album Merry Christmas. I hope you enjoy listening to it, and I can’t wait to share new music with you soon. Happy Holidays!”

Some fans, however, questioned the video’s authenticity, leaving comments such as, “It looks like AI omg” and “Why does it feel like an AI-made video?”

Carey’s video is part of a series of personalized messages created by popular artists for Spotify’s 2024 Wrapped, released on Wednesday. The streaming platform has faced backlash over its use of generative AI in this year’s Wrapped. In place of detailed metrics like last year’s Sound Towns, which mapped music preferences to geographic locations, Spotify introduced an AI-powered podcast experience.

“This year, we’re taking your personalized Wrapped experience to the next level and bringing fans closer to the artists they love by enhancing two of our popular AI features, AI DJ and AI Playlist, and adding a new one: Your Spotify Wrapped AI podcast,” Spotify announced on its website.

Spotify has yet to respond to the criticism of this year’s Wrapped. Meanwhile, Carey continues her Christmas Time tour, with her final performance scheduled for Dec. 17 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

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