The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has had a significant impact on several industries, but one in particular has earned the public's attention: digital image manipulation. It seems as though every prominent photo editing application has introduced some form of AI-powered feature, leading many to scrutinize photos more than ever before.
Of course, any conversation about image alteration is going to bring celebrities back into the spotlight. Celebrities are already known for maintaining a meticulous online presence, and AI would just make that easier. So, with the spread of AI-powered photo editing tools becoming hard to ignore, fans and critics alike are asking: Are celebrities using AI to enhance their looks?

Granting Access to the Perfect Image
It is widely known that celebrities are under significant pressure to maintain their public image. Since the rise of photo editing software, those who choose to edit their appearance have frequently been criticized — AI will only exacerbate the issue. While photo editing software requires a skilled editor to doctor an image, AI lets anyone change their appearance on a whim.
Applications like Luminar Neo and Picsart enable users to subtly enhance their appearance with automatic skin-smoothing, blemish-removal, and teeth-whitening features. Other programs even let users change their body shape entirely, generate different backgrounds, or simply remove objects from the photo. Canva and Pixlr make these features easy to use and eliminate the need for editing knowledge to back them up.
Is Celebrity Photo Editing on the Rise?
Celebrities are prone to avoid admitting to the use of photo editing tools, but there is evidence to suggest that AI-powered photo manipulation is on the rise. AI detection tools may be revealing just how frequently these new image editing tools are being used. In October of 2024, the AI image-generation company Freepik analyzed the Instagram posts of some of the most followed celebrities in the world and found some compelling results.
One case suggested that a celebrity edited more than a quarter of their photos with AI, while others were closer to an eighth. There were plenty of celebrities who opted for what could be considered a more natural aesthetic, which used very small amounts of AI alteration — if any at all. This and other cases have caused recent controversy and have brought celebrity photo editing back into the broader conversation.
Celebrities and AI Deepfakes
AI isn't only used to edit a celebrity's photos but in a new kind of content: "deepfake" videos. These videos use AI or another technology to superimpose someone's likeness onto another person's body. This has been done both humorously and maliciously, ranging from cases of lighthearted impersonation to the deliberate spread of misinformation.
Celebrities and AI Chatbots
AI chatbots are another popular way to interact with the technology, with some even being used to simulate romantic relationships. The technology isn't limited to generating visuals; it's also increasingly used in conversational settings. Beyond image manipulation, AI is being integrated into other areas of digital interaction. AI chatbots, for instance, are becoming more sophisticated, with some even designed to simulate romantic relationships. Platforms, some controversial like HeraHaven, offer users the chance to interact with an AI girlfriend, blurring the lines between reality and virtual companionship. These platforms, while offering an immersive experience, raise concerns about emotional attachment to virtual entities and the future of human relationships.
A Concern Surrounding Authenticity
The line between reality and AI technology is only being blurred further, raising questions of transparency, ethics, and authenticity. The role of image generation technology is a controversial one, and whether celebrities are using AI to edit their photos or not is perhaps a trivial concern.