Is Rihanna Pregnant Again? The Truth Behind the Viral Rumors and Deepfake Videos
Rihanna, the pop superstar and fashion icon, has been the subject of many pregnancy rumors over the years. The latest one claims that she and her boyfriend, rapper A$AP Rocky, are expecting their third baby together.
But is there any truth to this claim, or is it just another example of how deepfake technology can manipulate media and spread misinformation? Here’s what we know.
What are the viral rumors and deepfake videos?
The rumors started circulating on X (formerly Twitter) on November 13, 2023, when a user tweeted: “Rihanna confirmed that she & ASAP Rocky are expecting their 3rd Baby.”
The tweet also included a picture of Rihanna sporting a baby bump. However, the post now carries a disclaimer: “This picture is from May 2023. There is no official confirmation that Rihanna is expecting a 3rd child.”
Numerous accounts shared the same rumor, but none of them indicated the source of that information. Moreover, multiple videos were shared on YouTube, allegedly proving that Rihanna had announced her third pregnancy.
One video’s title read: “Baby No. 3! Find out everything Rihanna has said about having another child with ASAP Rocky.”
However, these videos turned out to be deepfakes, which are manipulated media, typically videos crafted using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques.Â
These techniques are used to replace a person’s appearance or voice with that of another, making it seem like the person in the video is saying or doing things they never actually did.
The deepfake videos of Rihanna used a voiceover created to support the baseless claims about a third child.
When a different voice – which also appears to be generated using AI – asks the singer, “How many kids do you want” the deepfake voice responds: “3. I am pregnant again.”
How are deepfake videos made, and how can you spot them?
To create a deepfake video of someone, the creator must first train a neural network using hours of real video footage of the person. This process gives the neural network a realistic understanding of the individual’s appearance from multiple angles and under various lighting conditions.
Then, the creator would use another neural network to swap the face or voice of the person with that of another, creating a seamless and convincing fake video.
However, deepfake videos are imperfect; some signs can help you spot them. For example, you can look for inconsistencies in the lighting, shadows, and reflections or for glitches and distortions in the face or voice.Â
You can also check the source and credibility of the video, and compare it with other videos of the same person to see if there are any discrepancies.
What is the impact of deepfake videos, and how can they be prevented?
Deepfake videos can have serious consequences, especially when they are used to spread false or malicious information, or to harm someone’s reputation or privacy.
For instance, deepfake videos can be used to create fake news, political propaganda, or blackmail material. They can also be used to create fake pornographic videos of celebrities or ordinary people, which can be a form of sexual abuse or harassment.
To prevent the spread and impact of deepfake videos, some measures can be taken, such as:
- Educating the public about the existence and dangers of deepfake videos, and how to spot and report them.
- Developing and implementing technical solutions, such as digital watermarking, blockchain verification, or AI detection, to identify and flag deepfake videos.
- Enforcing legal and ethical standards, such as privacy laws, consent requirements, or content moderation policies, to regulate and penalize the creation and distribution of deepfake videos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Rihanna pregnant with her third baby?
A:Â No, there is no official confirmation or evidence that Rihanna is pregnant with her third baby. The rumors and videos that claim otherwise are based on deepfake technology, which can create fake videos of anyone.
Q: How many kids does Rihanna have?
A:Â Rihanna has two kids with A$AP Rocky: a son named Rumi, who was born in September 2022, and a daughter named River, who was born in May 2023.
Q: How can I tell if a video is a deepfake?
A: You can look for clues, such as unnatural facial expressions, movements, sounds, or inconsistencies in the lighting, shadows, or reflections. You can also check the source and credibility of the video and compare it with other videos of the same person.
Q: What can I do if I see a deepfake video?
A: You can report it to the platform or website where you saw it and inform others that it is a deepfake. You can also use tools like Deepware Scanner or Reality Defender to detect and flag deepfake videos.
