Mia Goth’s representatives have criticised Instagram for allowing an AI-generated photograph of the actress to circulate widely, despite repeated complaints about the account responsible. The controversy erupted after a verified fan page shared a fake selfie seemingly referencing Goth’s divorce from Shia LaBeouf, prompting several entertainment outlets to mistake the image for an authentic post.
On October 13, Goth’s spokesperson, Christine Tripicchio, told The Verge that the actress does not operate any social media accounts.
Criticising Instagram’s handling of the situation, Tripicchio said “it is incomprehensible that Instagram evidently prioritizes the dissemination of forged and manipulated images” over protecting public figures.
What Happened With Mia Goth’s Fake Instagram Photo?
The disputed image appeared on October 8 through an Instagram account named @miagoth_, which had more than one million followers and a blue verification badge.
It depicted Goth wearing a T-shirt reading “MY EX IS MY BIGGEST FAN”, accompanied by Beyoncé’s Single Ladies.
The post surfaced shortly after Goth filed for divorce from LaBeouf on October 6, leading some viewers to interpret it as a public statement about their separation.
However, her representatives confirmed that the image was fabricated and that the account was not operated by the actress.
Goth’s team said it had previously submitted multiple complaints about the fan page’s AI-generated content.
Instagram Removes the Account After Complaints
Following the controversy, Meta confirmed that the account had been removed for impersonating a public figure.
The incident also raised questions about Instagram’s verification system. Although the account identified itself as a fan page, its blue checkmark could have encouraged viewers to assume it was authentic.
Meta permits certain AI-generated depictions of real people, while its content-labelling rules do not always require labels for AI-generated still images.
For Goth, whose divorce proceedings are ongoing, the fabricated photograph demonstrates how convincingly manipulated celebrity content can spread during sensitive personal developments.
The case also highlights a growing challenge for entertainment journalism: verifying viral posts before treating them as statements from the celebrities they depict.
