Popular music artist Xania Monet’s voice has been heard by millions, but some fans were shocked to discover she’s a product of artificial intelligence.

Monet may be an avatar, but there’s very much a real person behind her: Telisha “Nikki” Jones.

“Xania is an extension of me”

“Xania is an extension of me, so I look at her as a real person,” Jones told “CBS Mornings” in an interview that aired Wednesday. 

Jones created the persona while teaching herself AI just four months ago. The 31-year-old Mississippi native admits she’s not a singer, but says the “lyrics are 100% me,” and that they come from poems she wrote based on real life experiences. 

“Whether it was stuff I went through, a close family member, or a close friend, I wrote about it.” Jones said losing her dad at just 8 years old inspired her chart-topping song, “How Was I Supposed to Know?”

Billboard says Monet is the “first known AI artist to earn enough radio airplay to debut on a Billboard radio chart,” appearing on at least five Billboard charts since her first song release.

“I’m just taking what I love doing and mixing it with tech,” explained Jones. She says she doesn’t consider using AI as a shortcut, though acknowledges that it “challenges the norm” and that often sparks strong reactions.

“I just feel like AI … it’s the new era that we’re in. And I look at it as a tool, as an instrument, and utilize it,” she added.

Jones outlined her song making process, saying she scrolls through her list of poems to see which she wants to make a song about. She puts the lyrics into an AI music-generator app, then adds different prompts, like slow tempo R&B, female soulful vocals, light guitar and heavy drums — and then clicks create.

AI artist lands multi-million dollar recording deal

Jones’ AI music success led to a multi-million dollar exclusive recording deal with Hallwood Media – and also some backlash from artists like Grammy-nominated Kehlani. Kehlani railed against the use of AI in creative spaces in a recent TikTok video, saying “nobody will be able to justify AI to me” and “I don’t respect it.”

But Jones says she doesn’t let critics stop her from making art.

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Technology’s evolving. Everybody has different ways of putting in work to get to where they’re at. I don’t feel that way about it. I still love Kehlani’s music. I still listen to her every day,” she said.

Hallwood Media also defended the artist and said Monet represents a new age of music.

“What Nikki has done with Xania Monet really represents the future of music. It shows that taste and instinct have always mattered more than technical dexterity, and we’re now seeing that play out in real time. AI is breaking down barriers around age, image, and access, giving creators who might not have had a traditional path into the industry the chance to bring their stories and ideas to life while connecting directly with listeners. That kind of innovation is exactly what drives us at Hallwood,” Danny Jacobson, the head of A&R at Hallwood Media, said in a statement to “CBS Mornings.”

Addressing a concern some have that AI could allow people to make music from racial or cultural backgrounds they may not be a part of, Jones responded, “That’s what I’m here to let them know, I’m Telisha. I’m a part of your culture; I’m a Black woman; I’m a creator; I’m an entrepreneur; I created Xania,” she said.

Cambodia has reached a milestone in global finance by becoming one of the first countries to accept China’s offer to repatriate its foreign gold reserves, marking an early victory in Beijing’s campaign to establish itself as a key center in the world bullion market.

Experts stated that the Southeast Asian country will deposit part of its reserves in a vault registered at the Shanghai Gold Exchange, located in a bonded zone in Shenzhen. 

As reported by Bloomberg, other countries have also shown interest in this initiative.

The move is a strategic one towards China, aiming to rival the dominance of the past by traditional gold storage centres such as London and New York. 

This step of attracting foreign sovereign gold will enable China to increase the liquidity and international credibility of its financial markets and facilitate the adoption of the yuan as a medium of trade and reserve in the world markets.

In the case of Cambodia or other countries that might be partners, the relocation is an opportunity to diversify their assets of value. 

The hoarding of gold in China would be seen as a means of developing warmer economic relations with the world’s second-largest economy and an influential regional power.

Although the actual volume of gold that Cambodia will send has not been announced, the deal is a significant stamp of approval of the Chinese financial system. 

Over the past few years, the Shanghai Gold Exchange has expanded rapidly to become the largest physical gold market in the world.

It will most likely be closely followed by the central banks and finance ministries of other countries, as it might prompt them, especially in Asia and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partners, to consider similar arrangements. 

This change, though slow, is an indication of a gradual, progressive geographical rebalancing of financial power around the world.

In a landmark election that drew attention worldwide, Zohran Mamdani has secured victory in the New York City (NYC) mayoral race.

However, the win of Mamdani immediately got clouded by a threat from President Donald Trump to withhold federal funds from the city.

The 34-year-old democratic representative and state assemblyman from Queens will be the city’s first millennial and Muslim mayor having South Asian descent.

He won against independent former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. The 2025 NYC mayoral election also observed the highest participation since 1969.

But the celebratory mood at Mamdani’s Brooklyn headquarters was tempered by the looming political confrontation with the White House.

Just hours before, President Trump intensified his attacks on the Mamdani, whom he has repeatedly labelled as a “communist.”

While posting on his Truth Social platform, the 47th U.S. The President wrote, “If Communist Candidate Zohran Mamdani wins the Election for Mayor of New York City, it is highly unlikely that I will be contributing Federal Funds… because of the fact that, as a Communist, this once great City has ZERO chance of success, or even survival!”

He previously also hinted at this move stating that it would be difficult to send federal money to a city run by a “communist” during a 60 Minutes interview.

Responding to the looming threat, Mamdani directly addressed the elephant in the room saying, “If anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him.”

“So Donald Trump, since I know you’re watching, I have four words for you: ‘Turn the volume up,” he said enthusiastically.

Responding to Mamdani’s win, Trump initially responded on Truth Social briefly, “…AND SO IT BEGINS!”

Can Trump legally withhold any city’s federal funds?

The President’s claim of withholding federal funds of NYC raises serious legal and constitutional questions.

According to the U.S. Constitution, the power of the purse lies with Congress, not the President.

According to Article I section 9, clause 7, “No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.”

Additionally, in the US constitution, the 1974 Impoundment Control Act specifically limits the president’s power to withhold funds after President Richard Nixon previously attempted to do so.

Titles I through IX of the law are known as the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Title II created the Congressional Budget Office.

Title III governs the procedures by which Congress annually adopts a budget resolution, a concurrent resolution that is not signed by the president, which sets fiscal policy for the Congress.

This budget resolution sets limits on revenues and spending that may be enforced in Congress through procedural objections called points of order. The budget resolution can also specify that a budget reconciliation bill be written, which the Congress will then consider under expedited procedures.

What funding is at stake?

Federal funding plays a crucial role in the development of New York City.

According to the recent New York State Comptroller report, the city is set to receive $7.4 billion in federal funds for fiscal year 2026, accounting for 6.4% of its total budget.

This funding contributes to support housing, social services, and programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Previously, Trump administration blocked a $12 million grant for the NYPD’s subway counterterrorism efforts.

The city is currently challenging that decision in court.