Will Smith Faces Accusations of AI-Generated Crowds on Summer Tour

Will Smith is facing widespread criticism and accusations of using artificially generated crowds in promotional videos for his Based on a True Story Summer Tour, his first headlining solo tour in over two decades. The controversy arose after Smith posted a minute-long clip showing busy venues with enthusiastic audiences, but fans quickly pointed out anomalies such as distorted faces, extra fingers, and melting features, suggesting the footage had been digitally altered with AI. Several viewers expressed disappointment and skepticism about the authenticity of the crowds, accusing Smith of faking audience engagement despite his established fame. The tour, which began in July and concludes in early September, supports Smith's latest album released in March. This backlash follows earlier criticism of a performance with Spain's India Martínez, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of Smith's recent public appearances. Despite the negative reactions, Smith captioned the video expressing gratitude to his fans for their support and closeness during the tour.