Whoopi Goldberg has issued a stern warning to fans about an online scam using artificial intelligence to falsely depict her endorsing weight-loss supplements.
The Oscar-winning actress and co-host of The View took time during a live broadcast to address the fraudulent advertisements,
making it clear that she has no involvement in the promotion of any such products.
During Wednesday’s episode of The View, Goldberg interrupted a planned commercial break to speak directly to viewers about the misleading ads.
“No, no, we not going yet. I’m going to do this,” she told an off-camera staff member, emphasizing the urgency of her message.
“I’m giving everybody a heads-up. There’s a phony weight-loss ad floating around online on Instagram that has me, AI-mouthed, saying all kinds of stuff.”
Goldberg, 69, made it abundantly clear that she does not endorse any weight-loss supplements and urged her fans not to fall for these deceptive marketing tactics. “They have me selling bad weight-loss drugs. Do not indulge in this, do not look at this, just get rid of it. I don’t know what it is, I had nothing to do with it, and I don’t want y’all thinking that this is coming from me,” she warned.
The Ghost actress expressed frustration over the dangers of AI-generated content, particularly the challenges of identifying who is behind such fraudulent schemes. “That’s the problem with AI. You don’t know who made it, but I’m telling you it’s a lot of BS. Don’t fall for it!” she cautioned. Goldberg reminded viewers that the only way to verify an endorsement from her is if she explicitly states, “Hey, it’s me, Whoopi.”
Her publicist declined to provide additional comments on the situation, instead referring Entertainment Weekly back to Goldberg’s on-air statement.
Whoopi Goldberg’s History of Addressing Body Image Issues
This is not the first time Whoopi Goldberg has spoken publicly about matters related to her body. She previously shared her own weight-loss journey, revealing that she lost weight using the prescription drug Mounjaro. However, she has never endorsed any commercial weight-loss products, making the AI-generated advertisements even more misleading.
Goldberg has also defended herself against body-shaming in the past. In 2022, she addressed a controversy surrounding a movie review of her film Till, in which a critic mistakenly assumed she had worn a fat suit for her role. Goldberg corrected the record on The View, saying, “There was a young lady who writes for one of the magazines, and she was distracted by my fat suit, in her review. I don’t really care how you felt about the movie, but you should know that was not a fat suit, that was me…. I assume you don’t watch the show, or you would know that was not a fat suit.”
AI Scams on the Rise
Goldberg’s warning highlights the growing problem of AI-generated scams, where deepfake technology is used to fabricate endorsements from celebrities. These scams have become increasingly common, often misleading consumers into purchasing questionable products.
The rise of artificial intelligence in digital marketing has made it easier for scammers to manipulate images and videos of celebrities to create deceptive advertisements. With advanced AI tools, fraudsters can generate realistic-looking videos that make it appear as if public figures are promoting their products. This not only misleads consumers but also damages the reputation of the individuals being impersonated.
Goldberg’s vocal stance against this AI scam serves as a reminder for people to verify the authenticity of online advertisements, especially those featuring celebrities. As technology advances, it becomes more critical than ever to approach digital content with skepticism and ensure that any endorsements are legitimate.
A Call for Consumer Awareness
As scams like this continue to spread, Goldberg’s message is an important reminder for consumers to remain vigilant. With AI-generated content becoming more sophisticated, identifying fraudulent advertisements can be challenging. It is always best to verify endorsements through official sources, such as an individual’s verified social media accounts or public statements.
Goldberg’s willingness to call out these scams on a national platform demonstrates her commitment to protecting her fans from deceptive marketing practices. By directly addressing the issue, she not only exposed the fraudulent ads but also educated viewers on the potential dangers of AI misuse.
In an era where digital deception is on the rise, Whoopi Goldberg’s warning serves as a critical lesson for consumers: if an advertisement featuring a celebrity seems too good to be true, it probably is.
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