Katy Perry has once again underscored the perils of internet hoaxes, revealing that even the most astute of her fans are not immune, particularly when artificial intelligence weaves its deceptive magic. On Monday night, amidst the glittering spectacle of the 2025 Met Gala, the pop icon was conspicuously absent. Yet, this did little to hinder the swift proliferation of a breathtakingly convincing, albeit entirely fabricated, image of her online.
The AI-crafted ensemble, depicting Perry adorned in an intricate, futuristic gown purportedly crafted from a cutting-edge fabric dubbed "Lustratex®," swiftly captivated the virtual realm. The accompanying post hailed the attire as a Mugler masterpiece, a "fusion of liquid vinyl and adaptive smart polymers" that defied reality. Nevertheless, reality it was not.
Yet, this fact did not deter countless social media enthusiasts from heaping praise upon this phantom "outfit," sharing the deceptively genuine image adorned with false Getty Images credits, and reposting analyses of the supposed design. A single tweet alone amassed over 400,000 views, accompanied by a mock sketch of the imaginary dress design, further perpetuating the illusion.
This marks Perry's second consecutive year of being unwittingly enshrined as an AI fashion icon. In 2024, another Met Gala image, depicting her in a floral, moss-trimmed gown, duped multitudes, including her own mother. However, this time, she was not so easily deceived.
"Couldn't make it to the MET, I'm on The Lifetimes Tour (catch me in Houston tomorrow, IR)," Perry quipped on Instagram, accompanied by screenshots of the AI-generated images and the viral fan reactions. "P.s. this year I was actually with my mom, so she's safe from the bots, but I'm praying for the rest of y'all," she added with a hint of humor.
And her seven-word message to the online world? A playful yet pointed remark: "I'm praying for the rest of y'all." While Perry may have skipped the Met Gala in person, her digital doppelgänger reigned supreme on the virtual red carpet, proving that in the age of AI, even fashion's authenticity can be flawlessly feigned.
