Sir Rod Stewart has faced criticism for his ‘tacky’ AI video used while performing, featuring clips of the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Amy Winehouse, Tina Turner, George Michael and Prince
The family of a dead singer featured in Sir Rod Stewart’s AI video have spoken out after he faced criticism. The Maggie May hitmaker is currently on the road performing to fans, but one video used during his set has come under fire.
In the clip, Amy Winehouse, Ozzy Osbourne, Tina Turner, Prince, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Tupac, and XXXTentacion are seen posing for selfies while appearing to be in heaven. The AI footage has been used while Sir Rod performs Forever Young following the death of Ozzy Osbourne, who died on July 22, aged 76.
The Black Sabbath legend was laid to rest during a private family funeral on their Buckinghamshire estate on July 31. The video sees Ozzy posing alongside George, Amy, Kurt Cobain, Bob Marley, Aaliyah, Michael Jackson and XXXTentacion.
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The clip, which has since gone viral on social media, has racked up over 4,000 views on TikTok and more than three million on X, formerly known as Twitter, has been branded “tacky”. The original poster, Sloane Steel, who attended Sir Rod’s concert in Alabama, said it was the “craziest most disrespectful s**t I ever saw in my life.”.
Now, Tupac’s stepbrother, Mopreme Shakur, has spoken out about the clip. Speaking to TMZ, he said: “I’m pretty sure we all love Rod Stewart. I’m not sure about the legalities of it, but I have no problem with him memorialising the greats. Personally, I’m good with it.”
Meanwhile, XXXTentacion’s mum, Cleopatra Bernard, told the American outlet that she had no problem with her late son, who was murdered in 2020, being used in the footage. One fan said on social media: “Prince didn’t even want his music on Spotify… I’m 100% sure he wouldn’t have signed off on Rod Stewart puppeteering his face for this tacky…”
Another went on to write: “Good idea: pay tribute to Ozzy and his friends in heaven. Bad idea: making an AI‑generated video with his dead friends/members.” “Omfg, I was there too and was horrified by this. The whole thing felt creepy and unnecessary,” commented another.
“I mean, I’m sure they didn’t mean to hurt anyone, but it’s just weird IMO [in my opinion],” said another social media user. A fifth shocked fan went on to write: “The Kurt one is the worst one OMG they did him so dirty.”
However, one social media user claimed that the clip may not have been signed off by Sir Rod’s team, and instead, appeared to have been pulled from a TikTok account, Eternal Stars, which produces videos of singers who have died.
Many have argued that the content came too soon following Ozzy’s death, with many of the Prince of Darkness’s fans, friends and family members still mourning. The footage was used just days after Ozzys’ family attended a memorial for him in his hometown of Birmingham, with his wife Sharon, children Aimee, Kelly, Jack and Louis, placing flowers for him on the Black Sabbath bench on Broad Street, in the city centre.
Just weeks before his death, the rocker performed at his final show during the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park, which he had been determined to be on stage for. His Black Sabbath bandmate, Geezer Butler, said Ozzy was “frail” but “thrilled” to be able to perform for his fans, who had stood by him throughout his career.
The Mirror has approached Sir Rod Stewart’s spokesperson for comment.
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