Rod Stewart is under fire after an AI tribute video, portraying Ozzy Osbourne taking selfies with deceased musicians, was shown at his concert on Friday.
During his performance of “Forever Young” at the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, Georgia, on his “One Last Time” tour, the video was displayed on a large screen.
The footage depicted Osbourne holding a selfie stick seemingly in heaven, alongside several other late celebrities. The video depicted figures like XXXTentacion, Prince, Tina Turner, Kurt Cobain, Bob Marley, Tupac Shakur, Michael Jackson, Aaliyah, George Michael, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, and Freddie Mercury.
Clips of the video circulated on the internet and garnered criticism from many.
“‘Why is this disrespectful?’ I’ll create an AI video of your deceased grandmother breakdancing in heaven with Princess Diana and display it on a giant screen as part of my tour without your consent,” one Instagram commenter criticized beneath a clip of the video.
Some commenters suggested that the use of AI is connected to age. Stewart is 80 years old.
“Boomers love Ai,” the commenter wrote. “You know someone like 65 is filming this at the other side of the venue and crying.”
Some fans left comments on Stewart’s social media posts expressing their support for the tribute video.
“LOVED the tribute at your concert,” one fan wrote under one of Stewart’s Instagram posts.
Another commenter, who said they were at the concert, called the tribute “tasteful and heartfelt.”
“I was impressed by the entire show and tribute,” the commenter wrote.
Representatives for Stewart and Osbourne did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Stewart shared a post on Instagram memorializing Osbourne the day his death was announced.
“Bye, bye Ozzy. Sleep well, my friend. I’ll see you up there — later rather than sooner,” the statement read.
Stewart is continuing his “One Last Time” tour, with his next performance scheduled to be in Brandon, Mississippi.
