White influencer faces backlash after using AI to post her face on Black content creator’s body

A social media controversy has emerged after influencer Lauren Blake Boultier was accused of using artificial intelligence to alter an image originally posted by content creator Tatiana Elizabeth, prompting debate over authenticity and ownership in digital media.

The issue arose when Boultier shared a now-deleted Instagram photo appearing to show her at a tennis event. Elizabeth later alleged that the image had been manipulated using AI, with Boultier’s face superimposed onto Elizabeth’s body from a photograph taken at the 2024 US Open. Elizabeth, who originally posted the image two years earlier, highlighted similarities in outfit, pose, lighting and background.

In a Threads post, Elizabeth wrote, “Bar for bar. The weirdest part about this is that it’s not even an AI influencer. This is a real person who used AI to put her head on my body. She geotagged MIAMI as if she’s at the Miami Open. When my photo was taken at the US open two years ago.” She continued her criticism on Instagram Stories, noting the identical styling and composition of the images.

Elizabeth later added, “Pretending to be somewhere you weren’t, in something you’ve never worn, as someone you’re not… for social media. It’s a little scary.” She also stated that she hoped the situation would raise awareness about how AI can blur reality.

Boultier responded publicly, telling TMZ, “That shouldn’t have happened, and I take full responsibility.” She explained that the image was generated using an AI content system employed by her team, adding that she had not intentionally copied the original photograph.

In a further statement, Boultier said, “I understand this impacted another creator, especially when it comes to respecting original work, and I never want to contribute to that kind of frustration or harm.”

Photo: Instagram

She confirmed she had apologised privately and pledged greater oversight of her content moving forward.