Kathy Hilton said she was deceived by an AI-generated deepfake advertisement promoting a fraudulent diet product.
This incident highlights the growing danger of synthetic media used to exploit the credibility of public figures to sell unverified health products.
During the Season 15 reunion of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which aired in March 2024, Hilton described how she was tricked by an online ad [1]. The advertisement promoted a "Jell-O diet" and falsely claimed that Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, and Kelly Clarkson endorsed the regimen [1].
"I went on the Jell-O diet," Hilton said. "There's a new Jell-O diet that Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Kelly Clarkson [did]—with vinegar and baking soda" [2].
Hilton, 67 [1], attempted the diet and reported losing two pounds [1]. However, she said the experience had negative health consequences. "It has messed up my whole entire system," Hilton said [2].
The deepfake was designed to promote a bogus product by leveraging the trust associated with high-profile women [1]. The reunion where Hilton shared these details was filmed in Beverly Hills, California [1].
“"It has messed up my whole entire system."”
The use of deepfake technology to impersonate trusted figures in health and wellness advertisements creates a significant public safety risk. By synthesizing the likenesses of globally recognized individuals, scammers can bypass traditional skepticism, leading consumers to ingest potentially harmful substances like baking soda and vinegar mixtures under the guise of celebrity-backed medical advice.
