Fans are calling out Drag Race's alleged use of AI-generated artwork
Share
RuPaul’s Drag Race fans are not happy after seeing what appears to be AI-generated images featured on the show’s programming.
The backlash stems from a bit in the 14th episode of the current season 18. RuPauls conducts a meeting with the final four queens, Darlene Mitchell, Juicy Love Dion, Myki Meeks, and Nini Coco, ahead of the season finale.
Ru took a different approach to the interviews this time around in which he pretended to paint while talking to them, revealing the individual portraits at the end.
Fans were quick to call out the uncanny similarities between the artwork and images generated by the generative software. From one "painting" featuring the three boa ends to another deemed a Picasso knock-off, it's clear something was off about the pictures.
One X poster is calling upon the show to “FIX IT” writing: “On top of all the wild decisions made this season for the final episode they have Rupaul pretending to paint ai slop portraits of the queens that they have to fake gag over. There’s no defending this season. FIX IT”
Another user proposed just using real creatives: “This drag race season using ai multiple times… can we just pay actual artists”
Even season 16's Plasma even expressed frustration over the possibility of AI use, writing on X: “i KNOW that's not ai slop on @RuPaulsDragRace. Be fucking serious rn.”
This isn't the first time the show has come under fire for allegedly using artificial intelligence. Last year, RuPaul's Drag Race released a short film, "Jinkx & Plasma’s Gay Adventure!" on YouTube.
One scene depicts the two titular queens floating down a tunnel where a montage of AI-generated recreations of iconic RuPaul's Drag Race moments played. It was instantly met with major criticism from viewers and was made private on the streaming platform.
Drag up your life with a beautifully curated box made by your favorite drag queens! Subscribe to Drag Society today.