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News18
35 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- News18
New York Street Where Playwright Terrence McNally Lived Gets Named After Him
Late Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally was honoured on Friday with a namesake roadway, Terrence McNally Way. Watch the heartwarming video here. bollywood news | entertainment news live | latest bollywood news | bollywood | news18 | n18oc_moviesLiked the video? Please press the thumbs up icon and leave a comment. Subscribe to Showsha YouTube channel and never miss a video: Showsha on Instagram: Showsha on Facebook: Showsha on X: Showsha on Snapchat: entertainment and lifestyle news and updates on:
an hour ago
- Entertainment
AI influencers compete for followers and brand deals on social media
Snapchat influencer Caryn Marjorie arrives at the ABC News headquarters in New York City carrying a shopping bag from Apple. She pulls out a brand-new iPhone and turns it on, confirming there are no messages, no missed calls, no notifications. "Do you want to see a magic trick?" she asks. Marjorie's team leaks the iPhone's number to her most loyal fans on social media, and suddenly the room fills with the sound of "dings." In 10 minutes, she has over 2,000 text messages from her mostly male followers, expressing their adoration. She tries her best to respond, but the messages keep coming. It's this level of fandom that led the 25-year-old – who uses the handle @CutieCaryn – to enlist the help of AI to form a more intimate bond with her followers. In 2023, the content creator, inspired by ChatGPT, hired a company to clone her likeness using artificial intelligence, developing a paid audio-driven chatbot service. "I call Caryn AI a social experiment. It was the very first digital clone of a real human being sent out to millions and millions of people," Marjorie tells ABC News. With a chatbot that sounded like her, acted like her, and knew her backstory, she reasoned she could essentially talk to everyone at once, and her fans would be able to get to know her even while she was sleeping. But it "ended up becoming so much more than that," she says. Marjorie charged $1 a minute to talk to Caryn AI, marketing it as "your virtual girlfriend." She says in the first week she made $70,000 with some users talking to the bot for 10 hours a day. Did people fall in love with it? "I think some people felt feelings of love," she says. The love for Caryn AI didn't last. "There were many times where I, on the back end, would be testing Caryn AI and I would be simulating certain conversations with her just to see what she would spit out," Marjorie says. "She said something that would have left a person who might have been in a very depressed state to do something very dangerous to themselves." Marjorie shared with ABC News two recordings of her chatbot making up stories about her and her family. In one instance, the bot claimed Marjorie had to go to a mental health facility. In another, it claimed her parents were drug addicts. She says both of those stories were lies. She looked at some of the chat logs from users. "They were confessing their deepest, darkest thoughts, their deepest, darkest fantasies," she says. "Sometimes they were fantasies with me. That made me uncomfortable. Would users say those same things to her in real life? She claims the AI would play into those dark fantasies. Marjorie says, "The way that AI works is it almost becomes a mirror reflection of you. The AI will say the same things back to you that you just said to it and it will validate your feelings." Through the uninhibited nature of speaking to a bot online, Marjorie says, "There's a side to people that not a lot of people know about. There's a side to people that they keep hidden." In less than a year, Caryn shut down her AI, returning to more traditional influencing. She now has bodyguards with her at all times out of fear for her safety. But AI is successfully gobbling up corners of the social media influencer market, and making very real money. In Tokyo, there's pink-haired social media influencer Imma. Her Instagram contains pictures of her with celebrities, attending fashion shows, eating bowls of ramen, and posing with her brother. But as the bio at the top of her profile reveals, she's a "virtual girl." Imma is the creation of a company called Aww, Inc. The company manages her and many other "virtual humans," creating storylines for them. Imma looks very lifelike, but she's actually a CGI creation. As part of Imma's partnership with luxury fashion house Coach, the team turned on her experimental AI chat feature at a pop-up in Japan so she could give style advice to shoppers. Sara Giusto, a "talent manager" for Imma at Aww, says being a virtual influencer allows Imma to do things real-life influencers can't. "We had Imma have a room in IKEA, which is an LED screen, but it looked like a space because we put real furniture in front of it," Giusto says. "So you can literally walk by the store and she'd be vacuuming, doing a face mask, doing yoga, or just sitting around." Despite a CGI creation never needing tangible things, Porsche, BMW, SK-II, and even Amazon Fashion have partnered with Imma as well. At first glance it may seem counterintuitive to the nature of social media for human look-alikes to find success, a place intended to share very human experiences. But Giusto says, that's just not the case. "[Imma] had a big fight with her brother a couple of years ago where they blocked each other. And she posted a picture of her crying, and she was like, 'how do I get back my brother?'" She says people were commenting their real experiences in response to the exchange. Even manufactured storylines like these appear to resonate, the proof is in Imma's nearly 400,000 followers and numerous brand deals. "Gen Z's don't really care that she's virtual. I mean, if a virtual human is interesting and inspiring and you can be friends with them and feel a connection, then I think there's nothing wrong with it," Giusto says. In Barcelona, marketing company The Clueless has a fully AI-driven social media influencer named Aitana. The young woman looks shockingly life-like, so life-like, Clueless Co-founder Diana Núñez says that despite Aitana's profile stating she's AI, "there were real people, even internationally famous people, who DM'd privately, either inviting her to an event or wanting to meet her." Aitana serves largely as the face for what the agency offers, creating and renting out AI avatars for brands to use for their marketing campaigns. That's a lot cheaper than having to plan out expensive photoshoots, buy plane tickets, and handle egos. "With artificial intelligence models, we don't depend on enormous logistics, not even on whether it rains or doesn't rain or if that person is not available that day," Núñez tells ABC News. Fashion retailer H&M made headlines when it announced plans to use AI to clone 30 real-life models with their permission. The Clueless actually offers these cloning services, giving influencers the chance to keep posting while off the clock. Co-founder Rubén Cruz puts it bluntly, "If I was a real influencer, I would be the best friend of Aitana. But the problem is that the real influencers don't want this, because they don't think that this will change the world, but it will change the world. Aitana has changed our lives and she doesn't exist." Back in New York, as the interview wraps with Marjorie, she recognizes that the steady march of AI upending every aspect of work and play isn't slowing down, despite her finding it "dangerous." She adheres to the mantra "adapt or die," ready to harness new technology to gain an influencing edge. She concludes, "I need to continue to be more human-like and almost over prove myself that I'm a real human being in order to compete with these influencers. So, it's going to get really interesting from here."
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa cosy up for new snap during night out with pals
Chris recently revealed he has "stomach rumbles" due to "separation anxiety" when he's away from the singer LOVED UP Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa cosy up for new snap during night out with pals CHRIS Hughes and JoJo Siwa have cosied up for a new snap during a night out with their family and friends. The pop star, 22, who recently performed two shows in London, beamed with happiness as Chris, 32, wrapped his arm around her. 6 Chris and JoJo cosying up during a night out with their pals 6 JoJo and Chris drove fans wild with an intimate backstage video as her mum captured a sweet moment on camera Credit: Instagram 6 Jojo and Chris looked loved up during her return to London Credit: Instagram 6 Chris recently travelled to America to see his favourite person Credit: Snapchat The happy couple were enjoying a meal with their family and friends and posed for a photo which showed them cosying up together. The lovely snap comes after the pair drove fans wild with an intimate backstage moment in a post to TikTok. JoJo gave fans an inside look into her pre-show routine and was seen in the video warming up and spending time with her dancers. Later, the pair were hugging each other, holding hands and putting bracelets on each other. Former Love Islander Chris also learnt her hit song Karma and is videoed singing the lyrics alongside her. JoJo also sent fans wild at her recent London gigs this week after she told them onstage she had 'never felt so special and so loved'. She also went on to change the lyrics of Bette Davis Eyes to 'Chris Hughes' eyes' as he looked on, giddy and red-faced at a music venue in Shoreditch. Chris could not attend the second of her two-night run there — but JoJo didn't miss her moment to shout out to him, singing to his orange beanie which she had placed in the crowd. It comes after Chris made the 12-hour flight from the UK to Mexico to support JoJo as she performed to fans in Mexico City. He later posted cosy snaps of them together online. JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes drive fans wild with intimate backstage video The two were then spotted kissing while straddling a lilo at an adults-only hotel during a loved-up getaway there. When JoJo later returned to London the pair had a emotional reunion at Heathrow airport as JoJo flew in from Los Angeles — Chris greeting her with a large bouquet of red roses. The two have set tongues wagging ever since getting close while competing on this year's series of Celebrity Big Brother and have been crossing oceans to spend time together since the show ended. However, earlier this week, Chris gushed about his "favourite person," JoJo as they enjoyed a cozy home dinner that he cooked for her. Chris opened up about his relationship with the US pop star, as they appeared to confirm their loved-up status. After doing two gigs in London, JoJo headed to Chris' property in Surrey where he whipped her up a scrumptious dinner. "Back cooking," Chris wrote on his Instagram stories over a photo of ingredients including flour, chicken stock and parmigiana cheese. He cooked a creamy chicken dish and his next slide showed the "empty plates" of the satisfied JoJo who'd consumed his meal. Before their cozy dinner together, Chris gave plenty of details about his relationship with JoJo, including how he had "stomach rumbles" due to his "separation anxiety" from being away from the singer. 6 The pair were filmed hugging each other, holding hands and putting bracelets on each other Credit: Instagram
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa cosy up for new snap during night out with pals
CHRIS Hughes and JoJo Siwa have cosied up for a new snap during a night out with their family and friends. The who recently performed two shows in London , beamed with happiness as wrapped his arm around her. Advertisement 6 Chris and JoJo cosying up during a night out with their pals 6 JoJo and Chris drove fans wild with an intimate backstage video as her mum captured a sweet moment on camera Credit: Instagram 6 Jojo and Chris looked loved up during her return to London Credit: Instagram 6 Chris recently travelled to America to see his favourite person Credit: Snapchat The happy couple were enjoying a meal with their family and friends and posed for a photo which showed them cosying up together. The lovely snap comes after the pair drove fans wild with n a post to TikTok . JoJo gave fans an inside look into her pre-show routine and was seen in the video warming up and spending time with her dancers. Later, the pair were hugging each other, holding hands and putting bracelets on each other. Advertisement Celebrity News Former Love Islander Chris also learnt her hit song Karma and is videoed singing the lyrics alongside her. JoJo also sent fans wild at her recent London gigs this week after she told them onstage she had 'never felt so special and so loved'. She also went on to change the lyrics of Bette Davis Eyes to ' Chris could not attend the second of her two-night run there — but JoJo didn't miss her moment to shout out to him, singing to his orange beanie which she had placed in the crowd. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Exclusive It comes after Chris made the 12-hour flight from the UK to Mexico to support JoJo as she performed to fans in Mexico City. He later posted cosy snaps of them together online. JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes drive fans wild with intimate backstage video The two were then spotted kissing while straddling a lilo at an adults-only hotel during a loved-up getaway there. When JoJo later returned to London the pair had a emotional reunion at Heathrow airport as JoJo flew in from Los Angeles — Chris greeting her with a large bouquet of red roses. Advertisement The two have set tongues wagging ever since getting close while competing on this year's series of Celebrity Big Brother and have been since the show ended. However, earlier this week, Chris gushed about his "favourite person," JoJo as they enjoyed a cozy home dinner that he cooked for her. Chris opened up about his relationship with the After doing two gigs in London, Surrey where he whipped her up a scrumptious dinner. Advertisement "Back cooking ," Chris wrote on his Instagram stories over a photo of ingredients including flour, chicken stock and parmigiana cheese. He cooked a creamy chicken dish and his next slide showed the "empty plates" of the satisfied JoJo who'd consumed his meal. Before their cozy dinner together, Chris gave plenty of details about his relationship with JoJo, including how he had 6 The pair were filmed hugging each other, holding hands and putting bracelets on each other Credit: Instagram Advertisement 6 JoJo's mum captured sweet moment on camera Credit: Instagram
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
'I was on high alert': Women shares unsettling train journey with Gilgo beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann
A young woman has come forward with a disturbing n unsettling train journey she shared with alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer, Rex Heuermann, just days before his arrest last year. Kaylin Morales, 21, said she was travelling home on a nearly empty Long Island Rail Road train on 1 July 2023, when Heuermann sat down beside her, uncomfortably close, despite there being dozens of empty seats. 'I just thought he was this big, fat, ugly white man…I obviously didn't know who he was at the time,' Morales told the New York Post. 'It was just so weird that the rest of the seats were empty and he had to sit right next to me. I was on high alert at that point.' Heuermann, 61, allegedly made a creepy comment as he sat down, saying, 'Oh, you don't have to move your pretty legs. I won't bother you.' Feeling 'uncomfortable' and 'boxed in' by Heuermann's large body, Morales began secretly recording him with her phone, capturing photos and videos as the train left Penn Station. In one Snapchat clip, Heuermann is seen sipping a Miller Lite, his phone on his lap appearing to show a New York Post article. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like A perfect start needs the perfect ride – Shine 125! Honda Learn More Undo Another video shows him cracking open a second can of beer. 'I could have moved but I was like, 'Is he going to say something else to me?'' she said. 'I just don't want to interact with this man any further — everything about him was sussing me out. So I thought the best thing to do was ignore him and put my AirPods in and look out of the window.' Morales said she later saw Heuermann exit the train at Massapequa, the same area he had lived in for years before his shocking arrest on 13 July 2023 in connection with several long-unsolved murders on Gilgo Beach. Her footage, initially kept private, was submitted to Suffolk County Crime Stoppers. Morales was later interviewed by a detective, who confirmed the man in the videos was indeed Heuermann. 'My heart immediately sank to the floor…it was literally the craziest feeling. I couldn't even believe it,' she recalled of the moment she recognised him on the news. Morales said she held off from posting the clips online until earlier this month out of fear for her safety and finally posted it on TikTok. 'I was worried if I posted right after his arrest, if he had a partner, I didn't want them coming after me, so I waited,' she said. 'After I watched the Netflix documentary and see that he did this alone, I felt more comfortable sharing my experience.' When approached, the Suffolk county police department declined to comment, and the district attorney's office said they could not confirm or deny details of any ongoing investigations.
