987FM draws fire for giving Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo alleged AI 'younger selves' photos
When local radio station 987FM presented Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo with what appeared to be AI-generated photos of the pair posing with their younger selves, netizens were left baffled — and very unimpressed.
The moment was captured in a TikTok video posted by the station on Nov 14, showing DJ Germaine Leonora Tan handing the laminated photos to the Wicked: For Good stars during their appearance in Singapore on Nov 13.
The clip has since garnered more than 275,700 views and 15,900 likes.
The photos show Grande and Erivo alongside what look like AI-generated versions of their younger selves.
The pair accepted the gifts politely before the video cut to a short interview segment where they spoke about their experience in Singapore, adding that they were grateful to be in town and hoped locals would enjoy the movie.
The caption read: "Baby Cynthia & Ariana must be so proud."
This was the same event where an Australian man evaded security and lunged at Grande, a stunt that earned him nine days in jail.
Stomp has reached out to 987FM for comment.
Gift draws flak from netizens
The photo was reposted on X by user @forgelphie, where it quickly racked up over 9.2 million views at press time. Another X user, @Dreamingastrid, called it the "worst gift idea of the century".
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On 987FM's original post, the reaction was largely the same. Commenters called the gift "embarrassing", "a joke", and "out of touch", with many speculating that the images were generated using AI.
"There are so many talented artists that you could've hired that would've actually impressed Cynthia and Ariana. Just disappointing," one netizen wrote.
"Why would they want that?" another asked.
One was incredulous: "Do we not have gifts that are uniquely Singapore?"
Some others said it could have been presented better: "Forget the AI. Laminated and not even at least framed is wild."
Many suggested that while the stars appeared gracious on camera, they might have "hated" the gift.
Others also found humour in the situation, questioning how such an idea could have passed multiple layers of approval.
