Actors in the US say they are worried after AI-generated ads were reportedly used to promote shows in a way that made it look like they appeared insexual scenesthey never filmed or agreed to.
The claims involve performers working in the fast-growing micro-drama industry, where short, mobile-first series are heavily promoted on social media and streaming apps. The concern is that some ads may have been digitally altered without the actors' clear permission.
The issue has emerged alongside the rapid rise of microdramas, also known as vertical series. These are short episodes made specifically for phones, often lasting just a minute or two. They've become very popular in the US, attracting major investment and fierce competition among apps vying for viewers' attention. This reportedly resulted into aggresive marketing, with companies pushing out eye-catching ads designed to go viral and stand out in crowded social feeds.
According toBusiness Insider, actors working in these productions say they were surprised and upset after seeing promotional videos that seemed to make their performances look more sexual than what they actually filmed. In some cases, they sayAI or edited marketing clipswere used in ways they never agreed to.
One actor, Tess Dinerstein, said she came across an advert for a series called How to Tame a Silver Fox that started with a normal scene before cutting into what looked like explicit sexual content using her image.
'It was really jarring,' she said, adding that she feared the material could affect both her professional reputation and personal relationships. 'I felt like it delegitimised the work I do.'
She also made clear she does not film nude scenes, and worries viewers might now assume otherwise. Her experience highlights a broader concern among actors in the vertical drama industry, where many work on short-term contracts and do not always have control over how their images are used in promotional materials.
Another performer, Faith Orta, said she saw a TikTok ad featuring her character, partially undressed, even though nothing like that was filmed during the actual production. She said it left her feeling uneasy about losing control over how she is portrayed online. 'When AI jumps in and shows the audience something I don't want to show, it takes away the power over my own body,' she said.
David Eves, who also works in the same type of shows, said he saw a promotional video suggesting he was in a threesome scene that never actually happened. 'Not everyone knows I didn't agree to do that,' he said, adding that viewers might still believe the clip is real.
Micro dramas have become a fast-growing part of online entertainment, with short episodes designed mainly for mobile phones. Industry analysts say the format is expanding quickly because people are increasingly watching content on apps like TikTok, especially quick, story-driven clips focused on romance or drama.
Source: International Business Times UK
