Megan Thee Stallion became visibly emotional during her performance in Tampa, Fla. on Saturday after a pornographic deepfake video circulated that allegedly used artificial intelligence to superimpose her face. The incident took place during her Hot Girl Summer Tour, where she struggled to keep her composure while singing “Cobra,” a song about depression.
In a video captured by a fan, Megan can be seen choking up and stopping mid-singing the lyrics, “I was falling apart and the whole world was watching me / But the worst part is who was watching me / Every night I cried myself to death / And no one tried to stop it.” She manages to carry on for a few more lines, then fanns her face to hold back the tears.
While Megan didn't directly address the deepfake videos during her performance, she expressed her displeasure on Twitter the same day: “It really sucks that you guys are going out of your way to try and hurt me when you see I'm winning. You guys have gone too far. FAKE FUCK. Just know that today is the last day you'll ever play with me. I mean it,” she posted.
The case highlights the growing problem of deepfake videos targeting celebrities, with other high-profile figures including Taylor Swift and podcast host Bobby Althoff falling victim to similar fabricated content earlier this year.
Meghan's emotional moment on stage was met with overwhelming support from fans, who surrounded her with cheers and messages of encouragement. The hashtag #WeLoveYouMegan trended on X over the weekend, showing the strong support from fans.
Despite the dire circumstances, Megan took to Instagram to thank fans for their support during her Tampa show. “Tampa hot people š„¹š„¹š„¹š«¶š½š«¶š½š«¶š½ THANK YOU LOVE YOU ALL! YOUR ENERGY MEANS EVERYTHING! LOVE YOU HOT PEOPLE š,” she captioned a video montage she posted on Sunday.
Megan has a lot to look forward to as she is set to release her self-titled third studio album on June 28th. She has been actively promoting the album on social media, sharing different looks and album covers with her fans. “SURPRISE AND HOT!!!! My new album 'MEGAN' is coming out June 28th! Pre-order now!” she announced on X earlier this month.
In an interview with Women's Health magazine, Megan spoke about how her “rebirth” inspired her next album. She also discussed the public's reaction to her testifying at former friend Tory Lanez's felony assault trial in December 2022. Lanez was convicted of three counts of shooting Megan in the leg and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Meghan revealed that she suffered in silence, keeping up a public facade while dealing with her distress: “Before I went on stage I was crying half the time. [perform]”But I didn't want to upset my fans,” she recalled. [out] “I stayed in my room, under the covers. I didn't turn on the lights. I had blackout curtains. I didn't want to see the sun. I knew I wasn't being myself. It took me a while to admit that I was depressed, but once I started talking to a therapist, I was able to be honest with myself.”
Megan has been an active advocate for mental health resources. In 2022, she founded the Pete and Thomas Foundation, named after her parents, to help women, children, seniors and underserved communities. She also launched a website called “Bad B**ches Have Bad Days Too,” which provides links to free therapy organizations, suicide and substance abuse helplines, and more.
As a rapper who has always shown her vulnerability and strength in her music, Megan told Women's Health that she is growing in her ability to make music that stays true to herself and her message. “I'm proud to still be here. I didn't quit. I want to see myself grow and be better than I am now, and I will. I know I will,” she said.
Megan's moving moment in Tampa is a reminder of the challenges public figures face in a digital age where deepfake technology can be used to create harmful and misleading content. Despite these challenges, Megan continues to forge ahead, supported by her fans and determined to stay true to herself.
