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Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Crisis PR Will Be a Lifeline When AI Supercharges Misinformation
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. I recently saw an AI-generated photo of Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards squeezing a bottle of baby oil on Jada Pinkett Smith's head. Will Smith was also in the frame, graciously holding the phone to take the shot. I was mortified, not only at the realness of the photo I was seeing, but at what this means for our increasingly bleak future when it comes to separating truth from fiction. Grok, xAI's chatbot, recently began replying to unrelated queries with debunked white nationalist conspiracy theories. xAI blamed a "rogue employee" for unauthorized prompt changes and pledged new safeguards, though the incident feels like a troubling sign of a dark future. An illustration photograph shows Grok, DeepSeek and ChatGPT apps displayed on a phone screen. An illustration photograph shows Grok, DeepSeek and ChatGPT apps displayed on a phone screen. JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images Artificial intelligence is evolving faster than our ability to understand its consequences. As it continues to evolve, the spread of misinformation will accelerate at an unprecedented pace, posing serious risks to public trust, safety, and reputation. And while not a comprehensive solution, public relations professionals can help serve as a bulwark. Crisis PR—the field focused upon managing reputational fallout—is about to become a frontline defense in a war most people have not yet seen coming. While the internet has enhanced our lives in many ways and brought people together across the globe, it has also provided platforms a place to separate us. While unlimited and instant access to information has been a huge leap forward, AI-generated content threatens to flood our feeds with misinformation. Increasingly, we are entering an era where people, companies, and institutions of all types will need help not just telling their stories, but separating truth from fiction in defense of their reputations. A single false image, fabricated recording, or scandal invented and amplified by bots will be able to dismantle a person's livelihood and future in a matter of minutes. That's the dark side of AI-enabled misinformation: the power to ruin someone based on nothing more than a computer-generated narrative or image. We saw this play out already when a fake AI-generated image of an explosion near the Pentagon went viral in May 2023. It was picked up by several high-profile accounts on social media and briefly caused a dip in the stock market, demonstrating how even a single false image can produce real-world financial and societal consequences. In another instance earlier this year, a deepfake video showing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky supposedly telling his troops to surrender circulated widely online before being debunked. Though it was quickly identified as fake, the damage was already done. Russian propaganda outlets amplified the clip, and it briefly shook confidence in the Ukrainian defense. It was a clear example of how fast a lie can travel and how synthetic media can produce real-world ramifications. Crisis PR professionals are the ones who can step in with speed, clarity, and strategy when the digital mob shows up with pitchforks, or when lies, generated in seconds, spiral out of control. PR firms today are increasingly being called upon to defend clients against AI-enhanced disinformation. This includes false narratives fueled by deepfakes, synthetic media, and cloned voices and videos which can fabricate offensive behavior or even criminal acts. My firm once helped a venue owner who was the target of an AI-driven smear campaign. Bad actors had cloned his voice to make fake 911 calls about emergencies at rival locations. Edited clips circulated online, and a journalist reported the hoax as fact, seriously harming the client's business and reputation. In response, we deployed a fact-first strategy: collecting official records, leveraging digital forensics to disprove the audio, and launching a focused communications campaign to correct the record. Legal counsel worked alongside us to remove the false claims from press coverage. The key was speed and precision, which involved meeting an AI-powered attack with a coordinated but rapid-fire evidence-based defense. Real people like this business owner, unprepared with the resources or resolve to defend their reputation, run the risk of being crushed under the weight of lies they cannot outrun. Companies stand to lose decades of credibility in the moment it takes for fake content to go viral. We are rapidly approaching a future where a personal or organizational reputation is no longer something you must earn, but something that easily can be stolen. But there is a path forward. It starts with recognizing that AI reputational threats are real and then assembling teams and systems that are equipped to respond instantly. Crisis communicators will be valuable resources to companies, provided they can dissect narratives, act decisively, and defend the truth with some of the same tools used to attack it. The future belongs to AI, but that does not have to herald the end of fact. Now, more than ever in our history, there will be a burning need for people who fight for truth and decency. I am confident that crisis PR practitioners will rise to the moment. In the age of AI, reputation protection and crisis communication will no longer be optional, but essential. Evan Nierman is the founder and CEO of Red Banyan, a global crisis PR firm, and author of Amazon bestsellers The Cancel Culture Curse and Crisis Averted. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
New York Post
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Felicity' and ‘Heroes' actor Greg Grunberg reveals shock reason he's suddenly bald
He's about to make the best mistake of his life. Greg Grunberg — known for his roles on hit shows like 'Felicity' and 'Heroes' — has addressed the concerns over his balding appearance, revealing the shocking reason behind his new look. 'First of all, I want to thank everybody who's like asking if I'm okay, you know, 'What's going on? I saw pictures of you, you have no hair, what's happening?' Well this is what's happening,' the 58-year-old actor said in a video posted to his 'Talk About It' YouTube channel on Wednesday. Removing a black baseball cap from his head, Grunberg exposed his bald head and explained that he was diagnosed with alopecia. 8 Greg Grunberg addressed his new look on his YouTube channel. Talk About It Company/YouTube 8 The actor revealed he's suffering from alopecia. Talk About It Company/YouTube 'I, all of a sudden, got alopecia and I knew nothing about it. I'm still learning about it,' he said. Alopecia is a disease that causes hair loss. While there is no cure, medications and treatments can help regrow the hair. Jada Pinkett Smith, 53, famously announced she suffered from alopecia in 2022 after her husband, Will Smith, slapped Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards. 8 Greg Grunberg said he recently found out about his diagnosis after knee replacement surgery. Talk About It Company/YouTube 8 Greg Grunberg famously played Sean Blumberg on 'Felicity.' the WB 8 He also landed the role of Matt Parkman on 'Heroes.' í© NBC Universal, Inc. Grunberg, who played Sean Blumberg opposite Keri Russell, Scott Speedman, and Scott Foley in 'Felicity' from 1998 to 2002, revealed he discovered his diagnosis following a knee replacement surgery in October. He believes the operation may have triggered his alopecia. 'I think it shocked the alopecia into, you know, actually presenting itself,' the actor explained. 'I think I probably had it dormant in my body for a long time.' 8 He was also diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid gland. Chris Haston/NBC During his confession, Grunberg also shared that he has Hashimoto's disease, an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid gland. Thinning hair is a common side effect, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. He thinks that, combined with his pain medication after surgery, could have accelerated his hair loss. But Grunberg isn't letting his baldness get him down. 8 'This is the new look you're going to see,' Greg Grunberg said of his baldness. © NBC Universal, Inc. 'What I've learned in this immediate, you know, just doing the googling and the searching and going on all these chat groups and everything, is millions of people have this,' he said. 'And I look good! I mean, I'm lucky, all right? I look good.' The 'Heroes' star is embracing his appearance, noting to his followers, 'This is the new look you're going to see.' He also disclosed, 'I don't really care, but I just wanted to address this so you know what's going on.' 8 He also assured his fans that he's staying healthy. Variety via Getty Images Grunberg said he's doing everything right to make sure he's healthy. 'All my tests are coming back negative, my numbers are down, I'm eating right, I'm exercising, I'm doing all the right stuff,' the actor shared. 'No need to worry, everything is good… So thank you, I love you all. Thank you so much for all of your concern and your questions. It's alopecia and a lot of people have it and a lot of people — most people — live well with it, so that's what I'm doing, getting ahead of it.' Grunberg made his acting debut in the 1990 TV movie Stolen: 'One Husband.' He starred in several one-off appearances in hit series like 'Melrose Place,' 'Baywatch,' and 'Murphy Brown' until his big break with 'Felicity' in 1998. The series lasted four seasons. He then landed a part alongside Jennifer Garner in 'Alias' before he got the role of Matt Parkman in 'Heroes.' Grunberg has also starred in 'The Client List,' with small parts in massive blockbusters like 'Mission: Impossible III' (2006), 'Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015), and 'A Star Is Born' (2018).
Newsweek
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Who is Kristen Stewart's Fiancée Dylan Meyer?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Dylan Meyer has been Kristen Stewart's partner for years, and now the couple are rumored to be married. While neither has confirmed the news, interest in Meyer, a screenwriter and actress, continues to grow. While the pair have kept much of their relationship private, Meyer's work and personal life have increasingly drawn interest. So who is the screenwriter and actress who has captured Stewart's heart? TMZ published photos that appear to show a wedding ceremony involving the couple, sparking widespread speculation. No public statement has been issued by either Stewart or Meyer. Stewart and Meyer have been publicly linked since 2019, and in a 2021 appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Stewart described a rumored engagement between the two, saying: "I wanted to be proposed to, so I think I very distinctly carved out what I wanted. And, you know, she nailed it. It was really cute. She did very well." Dylan Meyer and Kristen Stewart attend the 94th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 27, 2022. Dylan Meyer and Kristen Stewart attend the 94th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 27, 2022. John Rasimus/STAR MAX/IPx 2022 3/27/22 In early 2024, Stewart added during an interview on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast that the couple had taken steps toward future planning. "We've done really annoying things like freeze our eggs and stuff," she said. "So if we want to, we can." Who is Dylan Meyer? Meyer is a screenwriter and actress with deep roots in the entertainment industry. The daughter of Oscar-nominated screenwriter Nicholas Meyer, she has built a career both behind and in front of the camera. Her writing credits include the 2016 Netflix film XOXO, the short film Loose Ends, and eight episodes of the sci-fi series Miss 2059. She also co-wrote Amy Poehler's 2021 coming-of-age film Moxie, which premiered on Netflix. Meyer has also made on-screen appearances, including roles in short films such as The Death and Return of Superman, Wrestling Isn't Wrestling and Jem Reacts to the New Jem and the Holograms Trailer. In addition, she appeared alongside Stewart in an episode of the TV series Homemade. In May 2023, Meyer publicly supported the Writers Guild of America strike. "Without writers, your movies and TV shows will suck. Trust," she wrote on Instagram. "Our fight for fair wages is so important we've been forced to walk around and wave signs about it — and we need your support! If you love stories, tell the studios to value the storytellers!" Meyer's relationship with Stewart has also inspired creative collaboration. The couple has co-written a film script described by Stewart as "a stoner girl comedy," and they're also developing a television project in which Stewart will star. "She's a really genuinely brilliant f****** screenwriter," Stewart said in Vanity Fair, describing their creative synergy. On social media, Meyer frequently posts loving tributes to Stewart. In a Valentine's Day post from 2023, Meyer wrote: "Even this, the clear peak of my short time on earth, does not remotely come close to how it feels to spend a Monday night in sweatpants with you, valentine." She's also expressed admiration for Stewart's work, standing by her side through red carpet events, including Stewart's Best Actress Oscar nomination campaign for Spencer. How did Kristen Stewart and Dylan Meyer meet? The couple first met several years ago on a movie set, though their romantic relationship didn't begin until they reconnected at a mutual friend's birthday party in 2019. Stewart recalled the moment vividly during a 2019 Howard Stern Show appearance: "The day that I met her, all bets were off," she said. "I was like, 'Where have I been and how have I not known you?'" They reportedly began dating in August 2019, shortly after Stewart's previous relationship with model Stella Maxwell ended. Within just a few weeks, Stewart confessed her love for Meyer in a candid moment at a bar. "Her friends were there or whatever, and they like walked out, and I was just like, 'Oh man, I'm so f****** in love with you. Done,'" she said during her Stern interview. "She's brilliant," Stewart told Elle of Meyer, explaining how their shared Los Angeles roots and creative pursuits have bonded them deeply. "We both felt like trolls as kids. We're so similar but different," she said. While the pair has frequently been seen together at major industry events—from the Oscars red carpet to independent film festivals—they've largely kept their domestic life under wraps. In public remarks, Stewart has often spoken about wanting a simple wedding with little fanfare, possibly officiated by celebrity chef Guy Fieri. "We're just going to, like, stand and, like, do vows and f****** party after," she told Stern.
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Will Smith accused by Tony Rock of using Oscars slap on Chris Rock to sell album
Comedian Tony Rock is taking direct shots at Will Smith over the actor's new album Based On A True Story, accusing him of using the infamous 2022 Oscars slap—where Smith struck Tony's brother, Chris Rock, on live TV—to generate buzz and sell records. In a recent TMZ interview at Los Angeles International Airport, Tony didn't hold back. He labeled the album as 'trash' and called out Smith for rehashing the Oscars controversy in his lyrics, despite months of public pleas to move on from the moment. 'Everybody tells me to stop talking about it, then he puts it on the song,' Tony said. 'That gives me the green light to talk about it again.' Smith's first album in over two decades is making headlines for its emotional and personal tone, especially references to the now-iconic Oscars incident. But Tony believes it's all for publicity, accusing the actor-turned-rapper of using drama to stay relevant. Will Smith (R) hits Chris Rock as Rock spoke on stage during the 94th Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 27, 2022. REUTERS/Brian Snyder 'I'm surprised he wasn't rapping about being a drug dealer on this one,' Tony joked. 'He's trying to sell an album.' Despite his harsh critique, Tony gave credit to Will Smith's earlier music, specifically naming 'Brand New Funk' as his best work. However, he made it clear that the relationship between Will and Chris remains broken. 'They ain't gonna be friends,' Tony said. 'Nobody lost money. My brother probably made more after that Netflix special.' As far as he's concerned, the incident has become a win-win in its own twisted way. 'We're all walking into the bank smiling on Monday,' he added.
Chicago Tribune
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Today in History: Will Smith slaps Chris Rock at the Oscars
Today is Thursday, March 27, the 86th day of 2025. There are 279 days left in the year. Today in history: On March 27, 2022, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage at the 94th Academy Awards ceremony, winning the Oscar for best actor just minutes later. (Smith later resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and received a 10-year ban from the Oscars.) Also on this date: In 1794, Congress approved the 'Act to provide a Naval Armament' of six armed ships, which provided the foundation of the permanent U.S. Navy. In 1912, in Washington D.C., first lady Helen Herron Taft and the wife of Japan's ambassador to the United States, Viscountess Chinda, planted the first two of 3,000 cherry trees given to the U.S. as a gift by the mayor of Tokyo. In 1939, the first NCAA men's Division I basketball championship game was held, with the University of Oregon defeating Ohio State, 46-33. In 1964, Alaska was hit by a magnitude 9.2 earthquake (still the strongest on record in North America) and tsunamis that together claimed over 130 lives. In 1968, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first man to orbit the Earth in 1961, died when his MiG-15 jet crashed during a routine training flight near Moscow; he was 34. In 1973, 'The Godfather' won the Academy Award for best picture of 1972, but its star, Marlon Brando, refused to accept his Oscar for best actor and, in what would become one of the Oscars' most famous moments, sent in his place actor and activist Sacheen Littlefeather, who spoke out about the depiction of Native Americans in Hollywood. In 1975, construction began on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline; the 800-mile pipeline was completed just over two years later. In 1977, in aviation's deadliest disaster, 583 people were killed when a KLM Boeing 747, attempting to take off in heavy fog, crashed into a Pan Am 747 on an airport runway on the Canary Island of Tenerife. In 1980, 123 workers died when a North Sea floating oil field platform, the Alexander Kielland, capsized during a storm. Today's Birthdays: Actor Michael York is 83. Film director Quentin Tarantino is 62. Singer Mariah Carey is 56. Actor Pauley Perrette is 56. Actor Nathan Fillion is 54. Singer Fergie is 50. Former MLB catcher Buster Posey is 38. Singer Jessie J is 37. Actor-singer Halle Bailey is 25.
