Elon Musk Ignites New Firestorm With AI Sydney Sweeney Video After Body Comment Controversy
Elon Musk is facing new backlash after sharing another AI-generated video that appears to use Sydney Sweeney’s face without her permission. The clip was posted on his platform, X, and was meant to promote updates to the site’s AI video features. Instead, it upset many users and restarted criticism around how Musk uses celebrity images.
The video shows a computer-made version of the actress inside a spaceship. The fake character talks about new video tools on X, including longer clips and improved audio. Musk shared the post to highlight the tech upgrade. Even though the creator of the video did not type Sydney Sweeney’s name into the system, the AI still produced a character that looked just like her.
Grok video is now 10 seconds and the audio is greatly improved
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 28, 2026
pic.twitter.com/tN6hX5cs6o
This moment didn’t happen in isolation. Only weeks earlier, Musk had already been criticized for posting a different AI clip that mocked Sweeney’s body after a red carpet appearance. In that post, he added the caption Can’t be easy, which many people found uncomfortable and inappropriate. Fans and critics alike called the joke creepy and unnecessary.
Now the issue has moved beyond social media drama and into legal territory. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has opened an investigation into xAI and its Grok tool. His office is looking into reports that the technology is being used to create fake and explicit images of real people without consent. Bonta called the situation shocking and warned that this kind of content must be stopped.
Problems are also mounting overseas. Regulators in the European Union are reviewing whether X is breaking digital safety laws. They are focused on whether the platform is doing enough to control harmful AI content. While X claims it is working on safeguards, outside tests suggest users can still create altered images of real people.
While all of this plays out, Sydney Sweeney has stayed focused on her career. She recently appeared in the film The Housemaid and has landed a major role in Netflix’s upcoming live-action Gundam movie. She is also attached to new projects including Scandalous and is expected to return for season three of Euphoria.
So far, neither Sweeney nor X has responded publicly to the latest AI video. The situation has once again raised concerns about how easy it is to copy someone’s face using new technology and how little control individuals have once it spreads online.
The use of AI in entertainment and social media is clearly moving fast, but the rules around it are not keeping up. In my view, this shows why clear limits and consent laws are needed before more damage is done. What do you think? Should celebrities and regular people have stronger protection against AI use, or is this just something society will have to accept? Share your thoughts in the comments.
