Fans are accusing Will Smith of using AI-generated crowd footage in a promotional video for his Based on a True Story tour. The clip, shared on his official YouTube channel, sparked backlash as fans pointed out several irregularities.
Will Smith fans are calling him out for using AI
Will Smith is facing backlash from fans after he was accused was using an AI-generated concert crowd in a video promoting his Based on a True Story tour.
The actor returned to music last year and released his first album in nearly two decades, Based on a True Story, in March 2025. It marked his first studio record since Lost and Found in 2005. He has been promoting the project with a tour across Europe, the UK, and Morocco.
The criticism started when Smith shared a video on his official YouTube channel titled, “My favourite part of tour is seeing you all up close. Thank you for seeing me too.” The footage appeared to feature AI-generated crowd shots that drew heavy criticism.
Viewers reported several distorted details, including blurred faces, a hand that seemed to have six fingers, and a crowd sign that strangely read “FR6SH CRINCE.” Another clip showed a man holding a sign that read “You Can Make It helped me survive cancer. THX Will,” but his knuckle appeared blurred into the message.
The widely circulated video sparked significant criticism online, with many describing it as “embarrassing.” One user commented, “Imagine being this rich and famous and having to use AI footage of crowds and bot comments on your video. Tragic, man. You used to be cool.” Despite the criticism, Smith has continued performing, with the UK leg of his tour beginning in Scarborough on August 24. His next show took place in Cardiff on Monday, August 25, with upcoming stops scheduled for Manchester, London, and Wolverhampton.
The viral video controversy follows another headline-making moment earlier this year, when Smith broke down in tears during the opening night of his comeback tour in Las Vegas.
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on Mandatory.
