These AI Thirst Trap Creators Say They’re Misunderstood

AI-generated influencer accounts are gaining traction on Instagram, blending branded content, entertainment, and synthetic celebrity.

Creators behind fictional personas like Jae Young Joon, Santos Walker, and Caleb Ellis say the accounts are labeled as AI-made, but many followers still treat them as real.

A fake red-carpet post triggered backlash, with critics accusing the accounts of misleading audiences and blurring the line between advertising and authenticity.

The controversy also centers on body-image concerns, especially in gay male spaces, where these virtual models may reinforce unrealistic beauty standards.