Christie Brinkley Is Pretty in Pink in New York City, Plus Anna Kendrick, Liam Hemsworth, Nicola Coughlan and More
Here, are the best photos of celebs out and about this week. Come back tomorrow for more of the latest A-list outings!
Christie Brinkley grins from ear-to-ear in a pink blazer and pearls outside of The View in New York City on April 28.
Anna Kendrick struts in New York City's Midtown wearing tinted shades and polka dots on April 28.
Liam Hemsworth is fully in costume as Geralt of Rivia on the set of The Witcher on April 25.
Nicola Coughlan walks the pink carpet of the Canneseries International Film Festival wearing a pastel gown in Cannes, France, on April 28.
Rosamund Pike arrives in a baggy red gown to the Hallow Road special screening with her costar Matthew Rhys in London on April 28.
Anne Hathaway continues her style streak with a metallic gold jacket in New York City on April 28.
Bella Hadid pokes her head out of her vehicle in New York City on April 28.
A casual Daisy Edgar-Jones walks with her boyfriend Ben Seed in New York City on April 28.
NE-YO receives a special proclamation from the city of Stockbridge, Georgia, during the Ologo Golf Tournament on April 28.
Former boy band members AJ McLean and Lance Bass hang out at NYLON Desert Disco during Stagecoach in Indio, California.
Guy Fieri is decked out in rings and chains at a Los Angeles screening of Mob Cops.
Camila and Matthew McConaughey celebrate 13 years of his joint fundraising initiative MJ&M with their tequila brand Pantalones.
Diplo stops by the Swimsuits & Cowboy Boots Pool Party at Stagecoach in Indio, California, on April 27.
Jason Tartick, Dylan Barbour, Zachary Reality, Hannah Godwin, Kelley Flanagan, Justin Glaze and Andrew Spencer stop by George Strait's Código 1530 Tequila pop-up at Stagecoach in Indio, California.
Kristin Cavallari opts for a pair of cow-print shorts for the debut of Country Bandit at 21 Arrows Ranch in Thermal, California.
Tucker Wetmore sits on a prop car as he enjoys a Patrón El Alto Mini at Last Call Saloon during Stagecoach in Indio, California, on April 26.
Joey Bada$$ rocks an eccentric hat as he strikes a pose on a set of greens.
Jason Isaacs has a button undone at The Creative Coalition Right to Bear Arts Gala in Washington, D.C., on April 25.
Tristan Schukraft and Jennifer Coolidge arrive for the opening night party of The Tryst in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on April 25.
Olivia Munn takes the stage during a special screening of Your Friends & Neighbors at The Whitby Hotel in New York City on April 27.
Blake Lively celebrates the premiere of her new film Another Simple Favor with her husband Ryan Reynolds at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 27.
Jeremy Allen White sports his signature New York Mets hat while out in L.A. on April 27.
Siblings-in-law Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci smile together at the premiere of Another Simple Favor on April 27 in New York City.
Anna Kendrick rocks a white ensemble for the New York premiere of Another Simple Favor on April 27 at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Lady Gaga looks ethereal as she takes the stage at GNP Seguros Stadium in Mexico City on April 26.
Miley Cyrus shows off her rock star style while out in Paris on April 28.
Andrew Rannells and Patti Lupone share a sweet moment on the red carpet at Sunday's premiere of Another Simple Favor at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.
David Burtka, Neil Patrick Harris, Jim Parsons and Todd Spiewak attend the opening night Dead Outlaw at The Longacre Theatre in New York City on April 27.
Eva Longoria shows off her award at the Platino Awards 2025 at Palacio Municipal IFEMA Madrid on April 27.
Nicola Coughlan shows off her handprints while attending the Canneseries International Festival in Cannes, France on April 28.
Hugh Jackman flashes a wave as he arrives to support his friend Blake Lively at the New York premiere of Another Simple Favor on April 27.
Jon Hamm chats during a special screening of his show Your Friends & Neighbors at The Whitby Hotel in New York City on April 27.
Awkwafina attends Sunday's premiere of Another Simple Favor at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 27.
Jelly Roll performs during his set at Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California on April 26.
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Vanessa Nadal bring date night to the Real Women Have Curves opening night on April 27 at the James Earl Jones Theater on Broadway.
Sporting a fluffy jacket, Lizzo takes the stage with Paris Hilton at Diplo's HonkyTonk during Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California on April 25.
Joshua Jackson takes his seat for an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show in Burbank, California for an episode airing Monday.
Kerry Washington is all smiles as she attends a screening for Shadow Force during the 2025 Atlanta Film Festival at Plaza Theatre in Atlanta on April 27.
Kevin Bacon poses with his brother and bandmate Michael Bacon backstage during the 2025 Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California on April 27.
Michelle Buteau celebrates the opening night of Real Women Have Curves at the James Earl Jones Theater in New York City on April 27.
Josh Holloway is suited up for the Canneseries International Festival in Cannes on April 27.
Kevin Hart brings his son Kenzo along to Saturday's playoff game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Shannon Storms Beador, Ashley Darby, Luann de Lesseps and Gizelle Bryant pose together at the premiere of Love Hotel on April 27 in L.A.
César Murillo, Kat Turner, Tom Colicchio, Kristen Kish, Gail Simmons, Vincenzo Loseto, Katianna Hong, Shuai Wang and Tristen Epps smile together at the Top Chef FYC event in L.A.
Chelsea Handler steps out for the L.A. Times Festival of Books on April 27 at the University of Southern California in L.A.
AJ McLean attends the Pizzaslime x Revolve after party with Casamigos at Cavallo Ranch in Thermal, California on April 26.
Christina Hendricks attends the Beatles '64 x The Chain FYC event at Ross House in L.A. on April 27.
Celebrity Big Brother UK costars Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa smile together during an appearance on This Morning in London on April 28.
Abi Carter shows off her festival style at the Windsor's Wild West event during Stagecoach Festival on April 26 in Indio, California.
Elle Fanning beams on arrival at the AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony honoring Francis Ford Coppola on April 26 in Hollywood, California.
Al Pacino and Robert De Niro pay tribute to Francis Ford Coppola onstage as the filmmaker is honored at the AFI Life Achievement Awards in Los Angeles on April 26.
Queen Latifah catches game four of the Western Conference First Round NBA playoffs between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets on April 26 in Inglewood, California.
Kristin Cavallari unwinds with a drink at weekend one of the 2025 Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California, on April 27.
Shaboozey performs at the T-Mobile main stage at the 2025 Stagecoach Festival on April 26 in Indio, California
Tech entrepreneur Tristan Schukraft, Jennifer Coolidge and Demi Lovato catch up at the Drag Brunch during grand opening weekend at The Tryst Puerto Vallarta on April 26 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Chloë Sevigny makes a style statement in a frilly mini skirt and patterned moto jacket as she attends a Q&A for her new film Magic Farm in New York City's Greenwich Village on April 26.
Jelly Roll and his wife Bunnie XO pose for a photo with Guy Fieri (pictured center) as they visit his Stagecoach Smokehouse at the 2025 Stagecoach Festival on April 26 in Indio, California.
Laverne Cox dons a racy leopard print look while attending the Drag Brunch at the grand opening weekend at The Tryst Puerto Vallarta on April 26 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Yungblud greets fans at the listening event for his new single "Lovesick Lullaby" held at Tottenham Court Road in London, U.K., on April 26.
Eva Longoria smiles for the cameras before receiving the Platino Honorary Award at Teatro Albéniz in Madrid on April 26.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, co-owners of Wrexham AFC soccer club, pose with a trophy after the team's big win in Wrexham, Wales on April 26.
Demi Lovato brings 'Cool for the Summer' vibes to the grand opening of The Tryst hotel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on April 25.
Paris Hilton radiates utter joy at the 2025 Stagecoach Festival in Indio, Calif. on April 25.
Heidi Klum steps out in SoHo in N.Y.C. on April 26.
Alicia Keys performs at the Tiffany & Co. launch of Blue Book 2025: Sea of Wonder at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on April 25 in New York City.
Quinta Brunson dons a sparkling look while attending Tiffany & Co.'s Blue Book Gala: Sea of Wonder at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on April 25.
Bella Hadid smiles for the camera as she attends her sister Gigi Hadid's 30th birthday party at Le Chalet in Midtown, New York City, on April 25.
Mikey Madison exudes old-school Hollywood glamor in a yellow strapless dress and matching jewels at the Tiffany Blue Book Gala on April 25 in New York City.
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade make an elegant appearance out in New York City's Upper East Side as they head to the Tiffany Blue Book Gala on April 25.
Gladys Knight beams onstage while performing at the 2025 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans on April 25.
Barbara Palvin and Dylan Sprouse make a cute couple in matching white looks at Universal Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 25 in Universal City, California.
Rob Reiner and Kathy Bates attend the screening of the 1990 film Misery at the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival held at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on April 25.
T-Pain and Kesha perform at the Palomino Stage on weekend one of the 2025 Stagecoach Festival on April 25 in Indio, California.
Sam Asghari attends the Grand Opening Weekend at The Tryst Puerto Vallarta: Opening Night Party on April 25 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Michelle Pfeiffer holds up her hands after pressing them in concrete during her handprint and footprint ceremony in Hollywood, California, on April 25.
A chic Olivia Rodrigo answers a call as she walks around New York City on April 25.
Timothée Chalamet wears a stylish zip-up as he grabs a meal in Beverly Hills, California, on April 25.
Hilarie Burton Morgan smooches husband Jeffrey Dean Morgan during the Canneseries International Festival in Cannes, France, on April 25.
Ryan Reynolds smiles at a More to Parkinson's event in New York City on April 25.
BLACKPINK's Lisa leaves Louis Vuitton's Place Vendôme boutique in Paris wearing a preppy look on April 25.
Elle Fanning speaks at Michelle Pfeiffer's handprint and footprint ceremony in Hollywood, California, on April 25, with sister Dakota Fanning laughing in the back.
Gigi Hadid visits her boyfriend Bradley Cooper's cheesesteak shop in New York City on April 25.
Cole Escola and Conrad Ricamora serve silly expressions at the nomination announcement for the Outer Critics Circle Award in New York City on April 25.
Mario Cantone beams at a screening of Cinderella at the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood, California, on April 25.
Andrew Lloyd Webber receives his Sardi's caricature with Nicole Scherzinger and Tom Francis in attendance in New York City on April 25.
Tyra Banks rocks a bold look at the Fashion Los Angeles Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on April 24.
Selma Blair and Ashley Park pose together at the Fashion Los Angeles Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on April 24.
Jeane Shaw, Tommy Shaw, Brothers Osborne, Miranda Lambert and Dan + Shay attend The T.J. Martell Foundation's Best Cellars Dinner in Nashville on April 22.
Kendall Jenner and her tequila brand 818 kick off a national takeover with Fat Tuesday ahead of Cinco de Mayo.
Honoree Demi Moore flashes her megawatt smile at the 2025 Time100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 24.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are all dressed up for the 2025 Time100 Gala on April 24 at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Tina Fey and Jack McBrayer share a sweet moment together at the premiere of The Four Seasons on April 24 in L.A.
Creed Bratton and Steve Carell have a The Office reunion at the after party for the premiere of The Four Seasons at Laya Restaurant in L.A. on April 24.
George Clooney is immortalized in a Sardi's caricature for his performance in Good Night, and Good Luck on April 24.
Miley Cyrus rocks a coordinated set while out in New York City on April 24.
Honoree and cover star Serena Williams poses at the 2025 Time100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 24.
Beauty Innovator of the Year recipient Hailey Bieber poses in a strapless blue gown at the Daily Front Row Fashion L.A. Awards at The Beverly Hills Hotel on April 24.
Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves McConaughey pose with their kids Livingston McConaughey, Vida McConaughey and Levi McConaughey at the 13th annual Mack, Jack & McConaughey Gala at ACL Live in Austin on April 24.
Ciara and Kerry Washington pose with Doechii at special event hosted by Uber and Delta SkyMiles in Atlanta on April 24.
Rocking a majorly high collar, Chappell Roan opts for florals at The Daily Front Row's Fashion L.A. Awards at The Beverly Hills Hotel on April 24.
Lizzo and Adriana Lima pose together at DAOU Vineyards during the Daily Front Row Fashion L.A. Awards at The Beverly Hills Hotel on April 24.
Olivia Rodrigo sports a white, floor-length gown at the 2025 Planned Parenthood New York Gala at Cipriani South Street on April 24.
Jelly Roll smiles from the sidelines as the Los Angeles Clippers take on the Denver Nuggets at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on April 24.
Honorees Ed Sheeran, Snoop Dogg and Jon M. Chu smile together at the 2025 TIME100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 24.
Ed Helms and Will Forte celebrate the premiere of The Four Seasons on April 24 in L.A.
Leighton Meester opts for a pop of red on her lips and nails at the Jacquemus boutique opening cocktail party in L.A. on April 24.
Megan Hilty receives a caricature at Sardi's in New York City in honor of her performance in Death Becomes Her on April 24.
Zooey Deschanel and Jonathan Scott bring date night to the TCM Classic Film Festival opening night screening of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on April 24.
Scarlett Johansson and Kristen Bell smile together from their seats at the 2025 TIME100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 24.
Caitlin O'Connor and Joe Manganiello sit courtside at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California for Los Angeles Clippers' game against the Denver Nuggets on April 24.
Ari Fournier and Cole Sprouse step out for the opening of Jacquemus' L.A. boutique on April 24.
Brooklyn and Nicola Peltz Beckham watch Thursday's basketball game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets on April 24 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Bradley Cooper steps out for a stroll in New York City on April 24.
Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder stop by the SiriusXM Studios in L.A. on April 24.
Walton Goggins has some fun at a celebration for Jim Thompson and The White Lotus at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge Estate in Beverly Hills on April 24.
Amy Poehler wears a leather jacker for the premiere of The Four Seasons at the Directors Guild of America on April 24 in L.A.
Scout Willis holds a small bouquet of flowers at the Jacquemus boutique opening cocktail party in L.A. on April 24.
Grace Ann Nader, Brooks Nader, Mary Holland Nader and Sarah Jane Nader gather together at the Casamigos-hosted festivities at the Daily Front Row Fashion L.A. Awards at The Beverly Hills Hotel on April 24.
David Bisbal strikes a pose as he collaborates with the Alzheimer's Association for its its Music Moments campaign recently.
George Clooney steps up to the plate during a Broadway Show League game on April 24 in New York City.
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USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
This Trump critic wants Gloria Gaynor to turn down Kennedy Center Honors
President Donald Trump's Kennedy Center Honors selections are set, but one critic is urging a recipient to turn it down. Trump announced the five honorees on Wednesday, Aug. 13: Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, Michael Crawford, KISS and Gloria Gaynor. But in an Instagram post Aug. 14, "The View" Co-host Ana Navarro called on Gaynor, in particular, to reject the honor. Navarro recalled meeting the "I Will Survive" singer at a Miami concert, where she was gifted a keychain that played the iconic disco anthem. She said during the "first Trump term, I pressed it til it ran out of batteries." "Look, the woman is a goddess and deserves all the flowers that come her way," Navarro, 53, added. "But I wish she wouldn't accept an award from the hands of a man who has attacked the rights and history of women, people of color and LGBTQ (people)." The political strategist continued: "The gay community, in particular, helped turn her signature song into an anthem. Trump is a stain on the prestige and significance of the KCH. Don't do it, Gloria!" Trump, who named himself chairman of the Kennedy Center earlier this year, said he was pretty involved in the selection process and also plans to host the honors after organizers allegedly begged him to fill the role, arguing he would bring better ratings. KISS frontman Gene Simmons, who has previously called out the president, said he was "deeply honored" by the recognition, according to a statement to TMZ that was confirmed by Billboard. Singer and guitarist Paul Stanley added the honor "cannot be overstated," while former guitarist Ace Frehley called it a "dream come true that I never thought would materialize." KISS' former drummer Peter Criss said, "I feel so blessed. This is the greatest honor of our career." The show will air later this year on CBS. In February, Trump announced a massive overhaul at the Kennedy Center, which included the termination of multiple board of trustees members, including Chairman David Rubenstein. In his remarks on Aug. 13, the president reiterated the desire to restore the center to what he saw as its former glory and to end its elevation of "woke" material. Contributing: Anna Kaufman
WIRED
a day ago
- WIRED
‘Cheapfake' AI Celeb Videos Are Rage-Baiting People on YouTube
Aug 15, 2025 7:00 AM WIRED found over 100 YouTube channels using AI to create lazy fanfiction-style videos. Despite being obviously fake, there's a psychological reason people are falling for them. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and guest, Keanu Reeves. Photo-Illustration: WIRED Staff; Photograph: Scott Kowalchyk/Geety Images Mark Wahlberg straightens his tie and beams at the audience as he takes his seat on daytime talk show The View, ahead of his hotly anticipated interview. Immediately, he's unsettled by the host, Joy Behar. Something isn't quite right about her mannerisms. Her eyes seem shifty, suspicious, even predatory. There's a sense, almost, of the uncanny valley—her presence feels oddly inhuman. His instincts are right, of course, and he's soon forced to defend himself against a barrage of cruel insults playing on his deepest vulnerabilities. But Wahlberg stays strong. He retains composure as Behar screams at him to get off the stage. 'I'll leave, but not because you're kicking me off,' he announces. 'I'll leave because I have too much respect for myself to sit here and be abused by someone who's forgotten what decency looks like!' The audience are stunned—none more so than those watching at home on YouTube, who swiftly thumb in their words of reassurance. 'Way to go Mark. We love you,' gushes one commenter. 'The View should be off the TV,' adds another. 'I hope everyone they insult sues them for millions and millions till they can't even pay for production.' It's a scene that has been described as one of the most talked about moments in daytime television history. Except, Mark Wahlberg hasn't been a guest on The View since 2015. The inevitable twist? None of this happened in reality, but rather elapsed over the course of a 25 minute long 'fanfiction' style video, made with the magic of artificial intelligence to potentially fool 460,000 drama-hungry viewers. Hardly surprising given the towering pile of AI slop on the web has reached unpolicable levels—with recent clips so realistic, they're tripping up the most media literate of zoomers. But, perhaps what is surprising about this otherwise unoriginal clash of the titans is that none of this happened in the video, either . Despite its characters' kinetic confrontation, 'Mark Wahlberg Kicked Off The View After Fiery Showdown With Joy Behar' is entirely motionless, save for a grainy filter added over a still image. It entertains its audience simply with an AI voiceover, narrating an LLM written script laden with cliches as theatrical as 'fist-clenching' and 'jaw wobbling.' It's cheap, lazy—the very definition of slop—but somehow, the channel it's hosted on, Talk Show Gold, has managed to round up over 88,000 subscribers, many of whom express complete disbelief when eventually informed by other commenters that what they are watching is 'fake news." 'These videos are what we might call 'cheapfakes,' rather than deepfakes, as they're cobbled together from a motley selection of real images and video clips, with a basic AI voiceover and subtitles,' explains Simon Clark, a cognitive psychologist at the University of Bristol, who specialises in AI-generated misinformation. 'At a superficial level, we might be surprised that people would be fooled by something this unsophisticated. But actually there are sound psychological factors at play here,' he adds, explaining that the videos typically focus on rhetorical techniques that encourage audiences to abandon critical thinking skills by calling to emotion. A WIRED investigation found 120 YouTube channels employing similar tactics. With misleading names like 'Starfame,' 'Media Buzz,' and 'Celebrity Scoop,' they camouflage themselves alongside real compilation clips from shows like Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Today with Jenna & Friends to gain credibility. Their channel descriptions give the illusion of melodramatic tabloid outlets—some bury their AI-disclaimers under walls of text emphasizing 'all the best highlights,' and 'the most unforgettable, hilarious, and iconic moments,' while others omit them entirely to add to the flair. YouTube updated its policies on July 15 in a move to crack down on content made with generative AI. The platform's Help Center stipulates that content eligible for monetization must adhere to YouTube's requirements of being sufficiently 'authentic' and 'original'—but there is no outright mention of generative AI alongside it, with the policy simply stating that eligible content must 'be your original creation,' and 'not be mass produced or repetitive.' A separate policy on 'Disclosing use of altered or synthetic content' also states that creators must disclose when content 'makes a real person appear to say or do something they didn't do,' 'alters footage of a real event or place,' or 'generates a realistic-looking scene that didn't actually occur.' WIRED reached out to YouTube for comment on over 100 AI-generated celebrity fanfic channels, as well as clarification on how their new policies would be enforced. 'All content uploaded to YouTube must comply with our Community Guidelines, regardless of how it is generated. If we find that content violates a policy, we remove it,' Zayna Aston, Director of YouTube EMEA Communications said in a statement to WIRED. Aston also reiterated that channels employing deceptive practices are not permitted on the platform, including those using misleading metadata, titles and thumbnails. WIRED can also confirm that 37 of the flagged celebrity talk show and other fanfiction-style channels were removed, chiefly those without AI disclaimers and some with the most egregious channel names, such as 'Celebrity Central' and 'United News.' This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from. The storylines in these videos follow a predictable pattern that plays on age-old narrative tropes that justify fanfiction comparisons. A well-loved celebrity—usually an older male actor like Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, or Keanu Reeves—is poised as the hero, defending themselves against the villain, a left-leaning talk show host who steers the professional conversation into ad hominem. It's obvious who the right-leaning, older audience is primed to relate to—who serves as the visual fic's Mary Sue. There's an undeniable political element at play when it comes to who is targeted, with videos focusing exclusively on political figures also constituting their own subgenre. 'They're tweaking my voice or whatever they're doing, tweaking their own voice to make it sound like me, and people are commenting on it like it is me and it ain't me,' Washington recently told WIRED, when asked about AI. 'I don't have an Instagram account. I don't have TikTok. I don't have any of that. So anything you hear from that—it's not even me, and unfortunately, people are just following and that's the world you guys live in.' For Clark, the talk show videos are a clear appeal to incite moral outrage—allowing audiences to more easily engage with, and spread, misinformation. 'It's a great emotion to trigger if you want engagement. If you make someone feel sad or hurt, then they'll likely keep that to themselves. Whereas if you make them feel outraged then they'll likely share the video with like-minded friends and write a long rant in the comments,' he says. It doesn't matter either, he explains, if the events depicted aren't real or are even clearly stated as 'AI-generated' if the characters involved might plausibly act this way (in the mind of their viewers, at least), in some other scenario. YouTube's own ecosystem also inevitably plays a role. With so many viewers consuming content passively while driving, cleaning, even falling asleep, AI-generated content no longer needs to look polished when blending into a stream of passively-absorbed information. Reality Defender, a company specializing in identifying deepfakes, reviewed some of the videos. 'We can share that some of our own family members and friends (particularly on the elderly side) have encountered videos like these and, though they were not completely persuaded, they did check in with us (knowing we are experts) for validity, as they were on the fence,' Ben Colman, cofounder and CEO of Reality Defender, tells WIRED. WIRED also reached out to several channels for comment. Only one creator, owner of a channel with 43,000 subscribers, responded. 'I am just creating fictional story interviews and I clearly mention in the description of every video,' they say, speaking anonymously. 'I chose the fictional interview format because it allows me to combine storytelling, creativity, and a touch of realism in a unique way. These videos feel immersive—like you're watching a real moment unfold—and that emotional realism really draws people in. It's like giving the audience a 'what if?' scenario that feels dramatic, intense, or even surprising, while still being completely fictional.' But when it comes to the likely motive behind the channels, most of which are based outside the US, neither a strict political agenda nor a sudden career pivot to immersive storytelling serves as an adequate explainer. A channel with an email that uses the term 'earningmafia', however, hints at more obvious financial intentions, as does the channels' repetitive nature—with WIRED seeing evidence of duplicated videos, and multiple channels operated by the same creators, including some who had sister channels suspended. This is unsurprising, with more content farms than ever, especially those targeting the vulnerable, currently cementing themselves on YouTube alongside the rise of generative AI. Across the board, creators pick controversial topics like kids TV characters in compromising situations, even P. Diddy's sex trafficking trial, to generate as much engagement—and income—as possible. Sandra Wachter, a professor and senior researcher in data ethics, AI and algorithms at the University of Oxford, explains that this ragebait style content is central to the platform's business model. 'The whole idea is to keep you on the platform for as long as possible, and unfortunately, rainbows and unicorns are not the things that keep people engaged. What keeps people engaged is something that is outrageous or salacious or toxic or ragey,' she says. 'And that type of content is created much cheaper now with AI. It can be done in a couple minutes.' Most channels give their locations as outside the US, yet chosen celebrities seem almost stereotypically American, as if picked off a list of 'The most popular US actors,' by those wishing to attract the most trigger-happy (and therefore lucrative) online denizens. Several channels seen by WIRED also appeared to have shifted focus throughout the years—many once posted educational content and tutorials on cars, agriculture, or fitness, having seemingly abandoned these amidst the AI boom. Perhaps it's an attempt to trick an algorithm that prioritizes creators with longer lifespans, or is simply a sign of users blindly following the latest trend in an attempt to bolster otherwise low income. When told about YouTube's new policies, Wachter says she's hopeful that a move towards demonetization will make a positive impact—but she says we're not 'getting to the base of the problem.' 'This is a system that breeds toxicity because it's based on generating clicks and keeping eyeballs attached to a screen.' If X posts like this are anything to go by—it won't be long before they start to resurface. The modus operandi of channels like these is clear, and seems capable of outsmarting YouTube's authenticity policies. They aim not to trick using sophisticated special effects, but instead employ age-old psychological techniques, combined with the platform's unique habitat, to seem realistic enough as to be believed by those harboring those attitudes. They appeal to those who do not care about their realism—cashing in on views that don't impact them. They intend to ragebait, to instigate debate, to trigger moral outrage. They need not put much effort into their appearance, at all. Arguably, they mark a transition point between the mechanical desire to replicate human content exactly—and the eerily human trait of creating something, just good enough, to coast by. Manisha Krishnan contributed to the reporting of this story.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
‘The View' Host Ana Navarro Implores Gloria Gaynor To Turn Down Trump's Kennedy Center Honor: 'Don't Do It, Gloria!'
The View may be on hiatus but host Ana Navarro is still sounding off about her political opinions. After the Kennedy Center Honor recipients were announced, Navarro shared a message on social media publicly imploring 'I Will Survive' singer Gloria Gaynor to turn down the lifetime achievement award due to President Trump's controversial overhaul of the Kennedy Center. 'A few years ago, I got to briefly meet @gloriagaynor at a concert in Miami. She gifted me a keychain that belted out 'I Will Survive' when you pressed it. Let's just say, during first Trump term, I pressed it til it ran out of batteries,' Navarro wrote. Navarro stated that, while she doesn't disagree with Gaynor being honored by the Kennedy Center, she hoped the singer would reconsider accepting the award from Trump, who is set to host the ceremony himself on Dec. 7. 'I wish she wouldn't accept an award from the hands of a man who has attacked the rights and history of women, people of color and LGBTQ,' Navarro wrote. 'The gay community in particular, helped turn her signature song into an anthem.' She concluded with one last jab at President Trump. 'Trump is a stain on the prestige and significance of the KCH. Don't do it, Gloria!' she said. Gaynor has not publicly addressed Navarro's comments, though she has shared congratulatory messages from others to her Instagram Story after the news was announced. Gaynor will be honored at the Kennedy Center alongside actors Sylvester Stallone and Michael Crawford, country singer George Strait and KISS. President Trump said he was 'very involved' in selecting the honorees and outrightly stated that he 'turned down plenty' of candidates because of their politics. 'They were too woke. I had a couple of wokesters,' he said, per Time. Trump took over as chairman of the Kennedy Center in 2025 after overhauling the board of trustees with his own loyalists. He vowed to steer the organization's programming in a different direction, promising it was 'not going to be woke' under his control. Several artists have since canceled appearances at the Kennedy Center in protest. The 48th Kennedy Center Honors will take place in Washington, D.C., Dec. 7. The ceremony will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+. Solve the daily Crossword
