Lady Gaga and Apple sparked criticism after the release of a promotional visual for the singer’s upcoming concert film “MAYHEM Requiem.” The image was shared by Apple Music ahead of the concert’s exclusive streaming debut in the platform, quickly gaining attention online for the wrong reasons. The promotional material showed Lady Gaga’s face shaped like a burning wax candle with dramatic lighting and visual effects. Even though neither Apple nor Lady Gaga officially confirmed that artificial intelligence was used to create the image, many social media users immediately began questioning the picture’s method of creation.
The end is near. @ladygaga’s MAYHEM Requiem, arriving soon. https://t.co/FRkvObTtDf #AppleMusicLive pic.twitter.com/qnX9Txqpyb
— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) May 12, 2026
Many online commenters claimed the artwork contained visual features commonly connected to AI-generated images. Some users mentioned the soft focus, polished texture, and unusual lighting as reasons for their observations. In contrast, others argued the visual may simply have been created through CGI or digital illustration rather than artificial intelligence. The discussion became even larger because AI use in entertainment, arts, and advertising has become a major debate topic over the last few years.
Reactions online have been mixed since the promotional image was posted on May 13, 2026, expanding the controversy into the MAYHEM Requiem concert. Despite the backlash, Lady Gaga premiered MAYHEM Requiem on May 14, 2026, via Apple Music. The concert was also displayed at one-night-only screenings in select AMC theaters that same day. In addition to the film, the project also arrives with a live album, which was recorded during a no-phones-allowed show at Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theatre in January, 2026.
