Nick Jonas sang at a Charleston concert. Then businesses started using his AI image. - Post and…
After Nick Jonas appeared at a Charleston concert in May 2026, local businesses posted AI-generated images of him at their locations, sparking debate online.
- Incident date
- May 2026
- Target
- Nick Jonas
Nick Jonas made a guest appearance at a Brandon Lake concert in Charleston on May 1, 2026. Following the concert, several local businesses posted AI-generated images depicting Jonas at their establishments, leading to confusion and discussion online about the authenticity of the images.
What happened
Following Jonas's appearance at the concert, Vespa Pizza on Daniel Island posted an AI-generated image of Jonas and Lake eating pizza at their restaurant. The image's caption alluded to the possibility of celebrity sightings at the pizzeria. Commenters quickly pointed out inconsistencies in the image, such as discrepancies in Lake's tattoos, Jonas's haircut, and the weather depicted, identifying it as AI-generated. Similarly, Gatsby Charters posted an AI-generated image of Jonas on their boat, with users noting AI artifacts such as missing fingertips. While the businesses acknowledged the images were AI-generated, the incident highlighted the growing challenges of distinguishing between real and synthetic content online.