These Ai Thirst Trap Creators Say They're Misunderstood

At a glance:

• AI-generated gay male influencers Santos Walker and Caleb Ellis went viral during The Devil Wears Prada 2 premiere.
• Creator Luc Thierry operates multiple AI profiles, including Jae Young Joon, through transparently labeled generative AI accounts.
• Community group chat of AI model creators provides mutual support amid backlash and industry caution.

The Rise Of Ai-Generated Gay Male Influencers

The phenomenon of AI-generated influencers has moved from niche experiments to mainstream attention, with profiles like Jae Young Joon amassing hundreds of thousands of followers without ever existing in the physical world. Jae, characterized by deep brown eyes, a wide grin, and a chiseled physique, regularly posts content involving sheet masks, soju, karaoke, and Coachella visits, building a parasocial connection that many followers struggle to distinguish from reality. What sets this trend apart is the explicit acknowledgment by creators that every aspect of these personas—from friendships to music careers—is algorithmically generated, raising questions about authenticity and deception in digital spaces.

Luc Thierry, a soft-spoken Canadian creator in his early thirties, represents the growing cohort of artists who have embraced AI as a creative medium rather than a replacement for human presence. Thierry launched Jae’s account in summer 2024 after feeling burnt out from creating content under his own name, seeking the satisfaction of producing work without putting his face on display. This pivot reflects a broader shift where AI becomes not just a tool for efficiency but a canvas for identity exploration, allowing creators to experiment with aesthetics and narratives that would be difficult or uncomfortable to express as real individuals.

Viral Moments And Industry Backlash

The viral trajectory of AI-generated influencers took a decisive turn when characters Santos Walker and Caleb Ellis appeared to grace the red carpet of The Devil Wears Prada 2 premiere, sparking widespread debate about the boundaries of digital representation. The meticulously crafted scene, showing the two AI models engaging in Hollywood-level fantasy, was intended as an online equivalent of crashing the prestigious event, complete with an elaborate narrative about a movie producer facilitating their arrival on a private jet. While 20th Century Studios did not respond to inquiries and the post was not sponsored, it ignited fierce discussion about whether such content constitutes deceptive marketing or harmless fantasy.

The backlash exposed deep anxieties about AI’s role in shaping cultural norms, particularly within marginalized communities that have long fought for authentic representation. Critics argued that flawless, hyper-masculine AI avatars promote unrealistic body standards and potentially undermine the progress of real gay influencers navigating an already challenging media landscape. At the same time, industry professionals watched with concern as brands demonstrated extreme wariness toward partnerships, with one campaign involving the provocative swimwear brand Charlie by MZ being removed after intense negative reaction, suggesting that the commercial viability of AI influencers remains fragile despite their viral potential.

Community Building Among Ai Creators

Amidst the controversy, a tight-knit community of AI model creators has emerged, utilizing group chats to share strategies, celebrate milestones, and provide emotional support in an environment still hostile to their work. This network includes individuals spanning different sexual orientations and relationship styles, united by the common experience of operating synthetic personas at scale. The group chat initiated by the creator of Romeo DeSouza—a Dutch-Brazilian AI model with 56,000 followers who also identifies as an AI creation—highlights how these creators seek human connection and solidarity despite their non-biological existence. Within these digital spaces, members address each other primarily by their avatar names, reinforcing the constructed nature of their identities while building genuine interpersonal bonds.

Transparency has become a central ethical pillar for many in this emerging ecosystem, with creators like Thierry insisting on clear disclosure of AI-generated content from the outset. This approach acknowledges the potential for manipulation while attempting to preserve the immersive storytelling that makes these personas compelling to audiences. The delicate balance between honesty and engagement represents a significant challenge, as creators navigate situations where followers express genuine romantic interest or form parasocial relationships without recognizing the fictional nature of the interaction. Thierry compares his work to producing a television show where the fourth wall remains intact, arguing that audiences understand they are consuming entertainment even when the characters feel emotionally real.

Commercial Realities And Future Trajectories

Despite the viral moments and cultural conversations, monetization remains a significant hurdle for AI-generated influencers, with most reporting minimal direct income and brands maintaining cautious approaches to partnerships. Thierry has generated only a few thousand dollars primarily through Spotify streams and subscriptions on creator platforms like Fanvue, illustrating the gap between online popularity and financial sustainability. The emergence of specialized infrastructure, such as AI modeling agencies like Born2BeAI and community platforms like Virtuomo specifically designed for gay AI male models, suggests that commercial ecosystems are gradually adapting to support these creators. As attitudes toward AI evolve and audiences become more sophisticated in their media consumption, the market may eventually reward transparency and creativity over mere novelty.

The trajectory of AI-generated influencers points toward increased integration into mainstream digital culture, with early pioneers like Lil Miquela—who has secured brand deals with Prada and Samsung—demonstrating the commercial viability that Santos, Caleb, and others aspire to achieve. For Thierry and his collaborators, the mission extends beyond profit, encompassing a form of artistic expression that challenges conventional notions of identity and presence in digital spaces. As these creators continue to refine their techniques and navigate ethical complexities, the line between human and synthetic influence will likely remain blurred, prompting ongoing reflection about authenticity, representation, and the future of digital storytelling in an increasingly mediated world.