Digital Twins: The Future of Celebrity Engagement in

Remember that time you *almost* caught a glimpse of your favorite celeb at the grocery store, but it turned out to be a really convincing look-alike? Well, buckle up, because the future of “fangirling” (or “fanboying”) is about to get a whole lot more… virtual.

We’re talking about digital twins, people! And no, not the creepy “Us” kind. Picture this: AI-powered, virtual versions of your favorite stars, ready to chat, sing, or maybe even challenge you to a virtual tennis match, all at the tap of a screen. It’s like having a personalized meet-and-greet, but on demand, and without the awkward selfie request.

This isn’t just a sci-fi daydream anymore. Thanks to the mind-blowing leaps in generative AI, celebs are partnering with tech wizards to create these eerily realistic digital copies. Think of it like this: your faves can now be in multiple places at once, interacting with fans around the clock. No more jet lag, no more “I need a break from the spotlight” – just pure, unadulterated digital charm, hours a day.

Pioneering Examples of Celebrity Digital Twins

So, who’s paving the way in this brave new world of digital doppelgangers? Let’s meet the early adopters, the risk-takers, the ones who are basically writing the playbook for the future of fan engagement.

Soul Machines: Breathing Life into Digital Stars

Hailing from the land of hobbits and stunning landscapes (New Zealand, for those who haven’t brushed up on their geography), Soul Machines is leading the charge. And they’re not messing around. They’ve created digital twins for some seriously big names:

• Mark Tuan: K-pop fans, rejoice! The GOT7 heartthrob now has a digital twin who’s basically fluent in internet slang and ready to dish out virtual hugs (and maybe even some spicy K-pop gossip).
• Francis Ngannou: Feeling brave? Step into the virtual ring with the former UFC Heavyweight Champ’s digital twin. Just, you know, maybe wear a mouthguard… virtually.
• Jack Nicklaus: Ever dreamed of getting golf tips from the Golden Bear himself? Well, now you kinda, sorta can. His digital twin is ready to talk all things golf, though we can’t guarantee he’ll improve your swing.

The coolest part? These aren’t just pre-programmed bots with a limited repertoire of responses. Thanks to the magic of AI, they can hold actual conversations, learning and evolving with each interaction. It’s like having a chat with your fave celeb, except they’re powered by ones and zeros instead of coffee and sheer willpower.

Grimes: Letting Fans Step into Her (Digital) Shoes

Leave it to Grimes, the queen of all things techy and avant-garde, to take things to a whole new level. The musician, known for her genre-bending tunes and, let’s be real, her unique approach to pretty much everything, didn’t just create a digital twin – she basically gave her fans the keys to the AI castle.

Grimes released AI software that lets anyone and everyone generate songs using her voice. Yep, you read that right. Want to hear what a Grimes-inspired lullaby would sound like? Go for it. A heavy metal anthem? Be our guest. It’s a bold move that blurs the lines between artist and audience, and honestly, we’re here for it.

Meta: Dipping Their Toes into the Digital Twin Pool

Meta, the social media giant formerly known as something else (we can’t keep up!), is also getting in on the digital twin action. They’ve launched AI chatbots featuring celebs like Kendall Jenner (move over, robot vacuum cleaner commercials!) and Tom Brady (because who doesn’t want to talk football with a digital GOAT?).

There’s a catch, though (because there’s always a catch, right?). These celeb bots are confined to Meta’s platforms, which, let’s be honest, kind of limits the fun. But hey, it’s a start, and it shows that even the big players are recognizing the potential of this whole digital twin thing.

TikTok: Democratizing Digital Avatars (Kind Of)

Never one to be left behind, TikTok, the app that’s basically taken over the internet one dance challenge at a time, is also jumping on the digital bandwagon. They’ve rolled out tools that allow brands to create AI-powered avatars based on – wait for it – creators and actors. Imagine your favorite TikToker shilling the latest skincare product, but it’s their digital twin doing the shilling. It’s like the uncanny valley, but with better lighting and a catchy jingle.

TikTok’s also upped the ante with an AI dubbing feature, because who needs expensive voice actors when you have algorithms, right? This means content can now be easily translated into multiple languages, opening up a whole new world of (slightly robotic) global domination.

The Precedent: Virtual Humans in Fashion

While generative AI has definitely kicked things into hyperspeed, the fashion world was already ahead of the curve when it came to embracing the digital realm. They were basically the cool kids who were into virtual humans before they were cool (or maybe just before the technology caught up).

Think of it like this: fashion is all about pushing boundaries, experimenting with new aesthetics, and, let’s be real, creating a little bit of fantasy. So, it makes sense that they’d be drawn to the world of virtual beings, where the only limit is, well, the limits of technology (and maybe the occasional glitch in the Matrix).

Puma: Kicking it with Neymar Júnior’s Digital Twin

Puma, the sportswear giant known for its iconic leaping cat logo and collaborations with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, decided to take things digital at New York Fashion Week in . And they didn’t go for a subtle debut, either. They unveiled a lifelike D avatar of Brazilian soccer superstar Neymar Júnior, because why have one Neymar when you can have a digital one, too?

This wasn’t just about creating a cool visual, though. Neymar’s digital twin was designed to interact with fans, giving them a taste of what it’s like to hang out with the soccer legend (virtually, at least). It was a glimpse into the future of fan engagement, where physical presence is no longer a barrier to connection.

Eva Herzigová: The Supermodel Who’s Also a Digital Muse

If anyone knows how to work a runway (or a digital platform, for that matter), it’s Eva Herzigová. The iconic supermodel, known for her captivating gaze and timeless beauty, didn’t just dip her toes into the digital world – she dove headfirst. Herzigová launched her very own digital twin, available for brand collaborations, fashion campaigns, and basically anything else you can imagine.

This is a game-changer for the modeling industry. Imagine being able to book a supermodel for your campaign without the hassle of travel, scheduling conflicts, or, you know, actually having to pay a supermodel’s day rate. Her digital twin can be everywhere at once, striking a pose in Paris one minute and gracing the cover of a virtual magazine the next.