Latest news with #Mia
TimesLIVE
41 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
AI-generated influencers are here and they look real — are we falling for it?
She's got icy blue eyes, flawless skin and a fashion feed that would make any influencer jealous. But Mia Zelu, the Instagram star who recently 'attended' Wimbledon, isn't real. She's an AI-generated character with 169,000 followers and counting. Zelu sent social media into a spin after she shared courtside snaps at Wimbledon asking fans: 'Which Wimbledon match was your fave?' The post racked up more than 16,000 likes and 500 comments with many swooning over her 'natural beauty'. The catch? Mia Zelu is 100% artificial, designed to look human, act relatable, and rack up influence. The virtual influencer was introduced to the world in March 2025 by her 'sister' Ana Zelu, another AI-generated persona who has been active since early 2024. Ana captioned their first joint photo: '[Mia] finally decided to open up her Instagram, so show her some love!' Mia's debut solo post followed a day later with a cosy picture of her in a hoodie with a kitten on her lap and the caption: 'I believe coffee tastes better in cute cafés, and I live for cosy hoodies and deep conversations.'
Extra.ie
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Who is Mia Carragher? Hunger Games cast new Katniss Everdeen
The Hunger Games franchise is expanding its horizons as it moves to the theatre stage in London later this year. The first-ever theatre adaptation of the iconic books and movie series will arrive in London at the brand-new state of the art venue, Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, located in the heart of the city. Based on the original 'Hunger Games' story by Suzanne Collins, the well-known gripping tale follows the fearless heroine Katniss Everdeen as she shows courage and defiance to become a beacon of rebellion and hope in a bleak world. Mia Carragher. Pic: David Ctorza/ The iconic character will be portrayed on the London stage by Mia Carragher, an up and coming 21-year-old actress from Liverpool. Mia is the daughter of Liverpool football legend Jamie Carragher. She was technically briefly on CBS Sports earlier this year when Jamie answered a phone call from her during the live football punditry show. Jamie Carragher and Mia Carragher. Pic: Mike Marsland/WireImage Jamie revealed that Mia was asking where her mother was and the Liverpool icon replied: 'I don't know, I am in London babe.' Presenter Kate Abdo encouraged her colleague to put Mia on loud speaker and fellow pundit Micah Richards jokingly accused her of interrupting the show and costing them an Emmy Award. Mia Carragher. Pic: Instagram Mia responded: 'Oh my God, I am so sorry. I didn't have a clue (he was on live TV).' As CBS Sports is only available in the United States, Jamie joked: 'Are you not putting the dodgy box on?' Mia remarked that her dad was 'lovely' back at home and Jamie said: 'I love you more than anything my girl. What a star.' He also told the panel: 'There is nothing this girl can ever do wrong, I can never shout at her.' Mia Carragher. Pic: Magda Jakubik/ As he hung up the phone she said 'I love you' to her dad and the rest of the CBS Sports team went 'aww' collectively. Mia's older brother James is another Carragher making strides away from home as a professional footballer for League One club Wigan Athletic. Despite also being born in Liverpool, James represents Malta on the international stage after being awarded Maltese citizenship earlier this year. The 22-year-old qualifies for Malta via his and Mia's paternal grandfather, with their dad also getting the citizenship. Mia Carragher. Pic: NickyMia graduated from England's Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in 2022 and also studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. She has previously starred in the film 'One Night in Istanbul' and Channel 4's 'The Gathering'. Mia was recorded practicing her archery and stunt work in a video shared on the Hunger Games: On Stage Instagram account. Mia Carragher. Pic: Instagram In the video, Mia said: 'I'm really excited to play Katniss. I relate to her quite a lot. 'I think she's very fearless, but then she's also got that nurturing quality about her. 'Everyone needs to come and watch The Hunger Games: On Stage because it's going to be like nothing you have ever seen. 'It's going to be an amazing experience, amazing sets, such cool costumes and I don't think many people know, but there's going to be a new theatre built just for this show in Canary Wharf, so you should be there.' Multi award-winning playwright Conor McPherson and Director Matthew Dunster are in charge of bringing the powerful story to life on stage, with the use of 'extraordinary stunts and illusions'. Matthew Dunster heaped praise on Mia for filling the complex requirements needed to portray a character like Katniss Everdeen. He said: 'We searched far and wide, and comprehensively, for our Katniss. It is not easy to step into Suzanne Collins's amazing creation and only one actor combined Katniss's charisma and combat skills – her quiet, tough determination and her brilliant creativity, athleticism, and humour. 'We've found our Katniss in Mia Carragher, and we can't wait for audiences to see her.' The new theatre will seat 1200 spectators, who will 'feel a part of the action in this dynamic round arena, developed with blockbuster entertainment in mind'. The Hunger Games: On Stage gets underway on October 20 with standard tickets starting at £60 and premium tickets from £125.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Liverpool and England footballer's daughter lands lead role as Katniss Everdeen in the first ever stage adaptation of The Hunger Games
Former Liverpool and England footballer Jamie Carragher 's daughter Mia is stepping into the spotlight as she takes a starring role in the first-ever live stage adaptation of The Hunger Games. The 21-year-old will make her debut as Katniss Everdeen - a role made famous by Oscar winning actress Jennifer Lawrence - on October 20, at Troubadour Theatre in London's Canary Wharf. On landing the coveted part, Mia said: 'I am so excited and honoured to be playing Katniss. 'This is a dream-come-true role, and I cannot wait to see the production come to life. 'From being a huge fan of the films, I feel so lucky to be a part of the Hunger Games world, especially working with Mathew Dunster and an incredible creative team.' Meanwhile, director Matthew Dunster, best known for 2:22 - A Ghost Story, Hangmen, and The Pillowman, added: 'We searched far and wide, and comprehensively, for our Katniss. 'It is not easy to step into Suzanne Collins's amazing creation and only one actor combined Katniss's charisma and combat skills - her quiet, tough determination and her brilliant creativity, athleticism, and humour. 'We've found our Katniss in Mia Carragher, and we can't wait for audiences to see her.' The live theatrical production has been adapted by Conor McPherson from both Suzanne Collins's bestselling novel and Lionsgate's blockbuster film. Mia, a graduate of Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, also trained at The Lee Strasberg Theatre. She's no stranger to screen work, having appeared in the independent film One Night in Istanbul, Channel 4 drama The Gathering, and will soon be seen in the new Playground Entertainment series Maigret. After receiving the life-changing news, Mia FaceTimed her parents – and her mum was left in tears of pride, while dad Jamie beamed with excitement. The former Premier League star, who shares Mia and son James with wife Nicola, also took to Instagram to share the proud news, writing: 'I'm bursting with pride with you being the first on stage Katniss Everdeen @miacarragher. 'You've put so much work in over so many years to land such an amazing role, you deserve this babe. I can't wait to come & watch @thehungergamesonstage it's going to be amazing.' The former Premier League star, who shares Mia and son James with wife Nicola, also took to Instagram to share the proud news, writing: 'I'm bursting with pride with you being the first on stage Katniss Everdeen @miacarragher' The Hunger Games tells the story of Katniss Everdeen, a young woman who volunteers to take her sister's place in a deadly, televised survival competition. Battling against elite-trained rivals, she must rely on instinct, grit and courage to survive. A behind-the-scenes video posted by the show's official page featured Mia, who said: 'My name is Mia Carragher, and I will be playing Katniss Everdeen. 'I'm really excited to play Katniss. I relate to her quite a lot. I think she is very fearless, but then she's also got that nurturing quality about her. 'Everyone needs to come and watch The Hunger Games: On Stage because it's going to be nothing like you've ever seen before. 'It's going to be an amazing experience, amazing sets, such cool costumes. There's going to be a new theatre built just for this show in Canary Wharf.'
The South African
a day 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.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Ex Premier League star's daughter lands huge Hunger Games role in London theatre
EX-FOOTBALLER Jamie Carragher's daughter Mia has scored a blinder by landing the lead role in a stage adaptation of blockbuster movie The Hunger Games. The young actress will take on Jennifer Lawrence's character Katniss Everdeen in the theatrical production. Advertisement 6 Ex-footballer Jamie Carragher's daughter Mia has landed the lead role in a London stage adaptation of The Hunger Games Credit: Instagram/miacarragher 6 Mia graduated from Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in 2022 and last year appeared in Channel 4's The Gathering Credit: Instagram/miacarragher Mia, 21, said: 'I am so excited and honoured to be playing Katniss. This is a dream come true role and I cannot wait to see the production come to life. 'From being a huge fan of the films, I feel so lucky to be a part of the Hunger Games world, especially working with Mathew Dunster and an incredible creative team.' The show will launch on October 20 at the new 1,200 seat Troubadour Canary Wharf in London, which has been designed especially for the production. The Hunger Games novels by Suzanne Collins have sold more than 100million copies globally while the five-film franchise has grossed more than $3.4billion at the box office. Advertisement read more on Jamie Carragher Mia graduated from Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in 2022 and last year appeared in Channel 4's The Gathering. She shared her excitement about the role on Instagram by posting a video of the FaceTime call in which she told her athlete dad and mum Nicola about the role. Mia wrote: 'My biggest fans. Love you.' Jamie, who has changed his Instagram profile picture to a shot of Mia in character, said: 'Very proud of you, my girl on fire.' Advertisement Most read in Uncategorized Latest Nicola commented on her page: 'I could burst with pride . Go show the world what we already know my girl.' Director Matthew Dunster said: 'We searched far and wide, and comprehensively, for our Katniss. Jamie Carragher breaks 'cardinal sin of TV' as his daughter Mia makes unexpected debut on CBS Sports coverage 'It is not easy to step into Suzanne Collins's amazing creation and only one actor combined Katniss's charisma and combat skills - her quiet, tough determination and her brilliant creativity, athleticism, and humour. 'We've found our Katniss in Mia Carragher, and we can't wait for audiences to see her.' Advertisement 6 The show will launch on October 20 at the new 1,200 seat Troubadour Canary Wharf Credit: Instagram/miacarragher 6 She will take on Jennifer Lawrence's character Katniss Everdeen in the theatrical production Credit: Lionsgate Films 6 Mia is pictured walking at the Germanier SS24 fashion show Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 6 Jamie said he is "very proud" of his daughter Credit: Getty Advertisement
