It’s honestly fucking disgusting how some companies are trying to sneak AI rights into talent contracts. I literally canceled a scene today over this. When I was initially contacted, I specifically said I wanted to OPT OUT OF AI. I was told there was “no AI.” I asked them to send the contract so my manager could review it before I agreed to shoot. They told me again there was no AI in the contract but reluctantly sent me the contract for review. Well… my manager found FIVE different sections buried throughout the 19-page contract that gave them rights involving things like “computer manipulation,” creating avatars, and digitally sampling my voice, bodily sounds, physical likeness, and other elements of my identity for future projects. Notice how the word AI never actually had to appear. That’s the fucking point. Just because a contract doesn’t say “AI” doesn’t mean it doesn’t give them AI-related rights. When my manager pointed out the language and asked for an AI opt-out/addendum, they initially tried to fight it and play dumb. Then, once the language was broken down for them, they admitted they couldn’t change the contract. So apparently the options were: Sign away rights to my likeness for future digital use, or don’t shoot. I chose DON’T SHOOT. ✌🏼 PLEASE READ YOUR FUCKING CONTRACTS. If you want to opt out of AI, don’t just ask, “Does this contract mention AI?” Ask what rights they are getting to your likeness, image, voice, body, sounds, digital replicas, avatars, computer manipulation, future works, and derivative uses. And if you want an AI opt-out, get it in writing. Ask for an addendum and keep a copy for yourself. Talent should NOT have to discover hidden digital-likeness rights buried in 19 pages of legal language after specifically being told, “There’s no AI.” That shit is unethical as fuck. Read your contracts. Have someone you trust review them. Protect your likeness. A paycheck is not worth unknowingly signing away your identity. Thanks for reading, and sorry this was so fucking long I’m just genuinely baffled that such a VERY popular company would lie to my face and try to pull a fast one like this. And honestly, it makes me think about how many people have signed contracts like this because they’re on set, cameras are already rolling, they feel pressured, and there’s a director or company representative standing there who knows EXACTLY what those clauses mean while the talent may not. I know not everyone has a manager, lawyer, or whole team behind them to review every contract — but even putting the contract through ChatGPT can help flag potentially concerning AI/digital-likeness language and tell you what sections deserve a closer look. Obviously, AI isn’t a replacement for an attorney, but please use every resource available to you. Take the extra few minutes. Read the fucking contract. Ask questions. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t sign it just because you’re already on set. Your likeness belongs to YOU. Protect it. 🖤