On Friday, Olivia Rodrigo unveiled a music video for the Chappell Roan-assisted remix of “Expectations,” though some viewers believed AI may have been involved in the video’s creative process. However, one of the art team’s designers and Rodrigo’s official
fan account showed behind-the-scenes footage featuring hand-drawn 2D and 3D animations, analog treatments, and seemingly no AI involvement. (A rep for Rodrigo did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone’s request for comment.)
The AI accusations mainly sparked from a scene beginning around the three-minute mark of the video. In it, a series of retro logos and animations of Rodrigo and Roan fly through the frame. Viewers pointed to the inconsistencies on Rodrigo and Roan’s fingers as possible proof of generative-AI usage in the video.
The video posted by @LiviesHQ compiled drafts of drawings, recordings of 3D animations, and more. Jack Harrison led the analog treatment for “Expectations,” which gave the video its retro, lo-fi flair. The art team used 2D and 3D software to create the animations, plugged the designs’ file into a Windows Vista PC, and then filmed the animations on the Vista’s screen through a hi-res camera.
The “Expectations” video found Rodrigo and Roan parodying a series of retro game shows, including The Price Is Right, Jeopardy!, and Wheel of Fortune. It also featured a wealth of cameos; David Byrne appeared as a game show host, while drag queen Aquaria and punk duo the Venus Twins appeared in a Family Feud spoof called “Sister Squabble.”
Earlier this month, Rodrigo revealed she would “never” use AI in her music in a cover story for The Hollywood Reporter. “Absolutely no. Hard line on that,” she said. “The closest I’d ever got is that once, me and [producer] Dan [Nigro] were like, ‘God, I wonder what ideas ChatGPT would have for an Olivia Rodrigo title,’ and they’re all fucking awful.”
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