LeBron James Photographed in French Maid Costume?

In late September 2024, {a photograph} unfold on social media allegedly exhibiting NBA star LeBron James carrying a French maid costume whereas posing in a mirror.

“Ain’t no get together like a Diddy get together,” one X user captioned the supposed selfie (archived), which had amassed greater than 36 million views as of this writing.

Different X users wished to know whether or not it was actual, with one asking: “@KingJames is that this actually you?”

(X person @IsabellaMDeLuca)

Google reverse picture search results indicated the image had appeared on quite a few social media platforms, corresponding to Instagram, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and 9GAG, since a minimum of late April 2024.

Nonetheless, as a result of the picture displayed quite a few indicators of being digitally manipulated, we have now rated it as faux.

First, James had no tattoo on his chest within the faux picture. As may be seen in a picture on his official Instagram account, the NBA star has physique artwork that goes as much as his neck.

Second, James appeared to solely have 4 fingers on his proper hand within the faux picture, and an additional fingernail on his left (see image under). Moreover, objects within the background have been oddly formed and distorted, and James didn’t seem within the reflection of the mirror behind him.

(X person @IsabellaMDeLuca)

Some AI-detection instruments (Is It AI?, AI or Not, Hive) didn’t conclude that the picture was generated utilizing synthetic intelligence, whereas one, Maybe’s AI Art Detector, did. TrueMedia.org concluded there was “substantial proof of manipulation” and Fakeimagedetector.com, a website that detects digitally manipulated photos, additionally stated the image had been modified, indicating it “Seems like Laptop Generated or Modified picture.”

Although it was not attainable to outright decide whether or not the {photograph} was AI-generated, there was substantial proof it had a minimum of been digitally manipulated by both alteration or modification.

(TrueMedia.org)

Lastly, no credible sources or official profiles of James have ever posted the picture in query. Likewise, no reputable news outlets have reported that the picture was actual.

An identical, fake picture allegedly exhibiting James carrying a maid costume additionally circulated on social media with one Instagram put up captioning it: “Ai is loopy.” 

(Instagram person @rapcult)

Snopes has contacted the James’ agent, Wealthy Paul, for remark and can replace this text if or once we obtain a response.

We’ve additionally investigated claims the basketball participant, on the day music mogul Diddy was arrested on sex-trafficking prices, stated he had a “bizarre feeling right this moment was the day the feds” would arrest the rapper.

Sources