White Influencer Accuses AI of Instagram Photo Blunder That Edited Her Face on Black Model's Body
Influencer Lauren Blake Boultier has claimed artificial intelligence is responsible for an inappropriate Instagram picture that showed her face digitally edited onto the body of a Black model. Boultier, a white beauty and lifestyle influencer with over 1.6 million followers on Instagram, recently posted a photo that appeared to show her attending the Miami Open last month.
The image depicted her in the stands of a tennis arena, wearing an all-white mini skirt and T-shirt ensemble, accessorised with a green Louis Vuitton purse and a matching green-and-white sweater tied around her shoulders. However, several users quickly pointed out that the photo seemed to match an image posted by Black model Tatiana Elizabeth at the 2024 U.S. Open.
Boultier's Statement and Apology
In a statement shared on Wednesday via Instagram, Boultier addressed the incident, blaming AI for creating the edited image. "I want to address a recent post created by a third-party AI content agency I've been working with," she began. "It was brought to my attention that an image posted utilised the work and likeness of a Black creator in a way that is entirely inconsistent with my values."
She continued, "I take full responsibility for what appears on my platforms. The post was removed," adding that she had "spoken with the creator privately to apologise." Boultier also stated, "I will have more oversight with my agency to ensure my content is handled with the integrity and respect it deserves moving forward."
Concluding her statement, she said, "I am deeply sorry for the hurt this has caused the original creator and the community at large. Thank you to those that have spoken up. I am listening and I am committed to doing better."
Model's Response and Criticism
Within hours of Boultier's statement, Elizabeth spoke to TMZ, dismissing the apology as insincere and claiming the influencer was attempting to "avoid blame." She confirmed that Boultier did contact her the day before in a message saying she would "reach out to me later with a formal apology."
Elizabeth elaborated, "She reached out again with a written apology note, and then she later unsent that and then sent another apology note. It's just been weird." When asked if she accepted Boultier's apology, Elizabeth hesitated, saying, "Not particularly because I don't think that it's coming from a super sincere place. I think that she just wants the situation to blow over."
She further criticised, "I don't think she was honest. I don't think she was authentic in her apology. I think she's just saying what she thinks she needs to say in order to kind of move past this." Boultier is a lifestyle beauty influencer with more than 1.6 million Instagram followers, while Elizabeth is a model with around 354,000 Instagram followers.
The Independent has contacted Boultier for additional comment on the matter. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about the misuse of AI in social media content and the complexities of public apologies in influencer culture.
