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Meet the woman behind chart-topping AI artist Xania Monet: “I look at her as a real person”

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Meet the woman behind chart-topping AI artist Xania Monet: “I look at her as a real person”


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.



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Dave Chappelle drops Netflix special, ‘Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable…’

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Dave Chappelle drops Netflix special, ‘Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable…’


Dave Chappelle drops Netflix special, ‘Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable…’

Dave Chappelle surprised fans Friday night with a new Netflix stand-up special, Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable…, filmed in Washington, D.C., and released without warning following the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight.

Taking the stage in a camo jacket featuring Colin Kaepernick’s name and number, Chappelle told the crowd, “We’ve got a lot to talk about,” explaining he returned home after Trump deployed the National Guard to the city.

“They’re trying to take the chocolate out of Chocolate City… I’ve got to go home while it’s still a city I remember,” he said.

Chappelle also addressed backlash over his appearance at the Riyadh Comedy Festival, saying, “I’ve been getting a lot of grief,” before singling out Bill Maher: “I’ve never said this publicly but fuck that guy. I’m so fucking tired of his little smug, cracker-ass commentary.”

“I don’t feel guilty at all,” Chappelle said, adding that critics accused him of betraying his principles. He reiterated, “it’s easier to talk in Saudi Arabia for me than it is in America,” and joked, “transgender jokes went over very well in Saudi Arabia.”

The comedian later discussed reports surrounding Charlie Kirk, saying, “if you talk for a living and see Charlie Kirk get murdered that way, I’m gonna be honest, I was shook,” adding, “I was at home like, ‘Oh no! I’m dead as fried chicken.’”

Chappelle also reflected on Sean Combs’ sentencing, noting, “He saved my life,” and said of Cassie, “God bless her… what she went through was terrible.”

He closed by telling the crowd, “we are a community and we will stay sane together.”





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David and Victoria Beckham unfollow Brooklyn on Instagram

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David and Victoria Beckham unfollow Brooklyn on Instagram


Brooklyn is also no longer following his mother and father on the picture-based sharing platform

David and Victoria Beckham are no longer following their estranged son, Brooklyn, on Instagram after he decided to spend Christmas with his wife, Nicola Peltz.

The heartbroken parents, who are said to feeling their eldest son’s absence more than as ever as Christmas approaches, have removed him from their following list. 

Brooklyn, 26, is also no longer following his mother and father on the picture-based sharing platform.

Meanwhile, Brooklyn’s wife Nicola, 30, does not follow David and Victoria either and they no longer follow her.

David and Victoria Beckham unfollow Brooklyn on Instagram

The move comes after Brooklyn’s friends told DailyMail in July that his brothers Cruz and Romeo had blocked both him and his wife Nicola on the social media platform.

Despite several reconciliation attempts from Sir David and his brother Cruz, the aspiring chef will celebrate the festive period with actress Nicola’s billionaire parents Nelson and Claudia, who are said to be ‘excited’ to have him.

A source said: ‘Brooklyn and Nicola decided they would be spending this Christmas with her family. Her parents are really excited to have them.’

Brooklyn, 26, and Nicola, 30, arrived in Miami, Florida, earlier this week.





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Wayne Lineker breaks silence from hospital bed ahead of lonely Christmas

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Wayne Lineker breaks silence from hospital bed ahead of lonely Christmas


Wayne Lineker breaks silence from hospital bed ahead of lonely Christmas

Wayne Lineker shared a worrying health update from hospital as he continued to recover from a life threatening illness that almost killed him.

The Ibiza club owner and reality TV star revealed that he could be forced to spend this Christmas alone if his condition does not improve at all.

The 63 year old was rushed to the hospital earlier this month and was later treated in good care.

Doctors diagnosed him with extremely dangerous pneumonia, an infection that left him unable to walk and struggle to breathe.

From his hospital bed, Wayne told fans that he is still undergoing treatment and might now go for a major surgery.

“I know I look a bit rough,” he said, before adding, “But, I’ve been through a lot this past couple of days.”

Wayne Lineker breaks silence from hospital bed ahead of lonely Christmas

He also explained that parts of his lungs are not clearing properly despite medication.

“Parts of my lungs, weren’t clearing of the phlegm, and were very stubborn,” Wayne shared.

However, doctors asked him to do breathing exercises daily, well hourly, and to stay active around his room.

Wayne said he is currently on strong antibiotics but warned the surgery could happen soon if there is no such improvement.

“It’s a keyhole surgery and then they’ll go in and do what’s called a washout, and wash my lungs out and hopefully that will be the end of it,” he explained.

“It will be touch and go whether I’ll be going home for Christmas,” Wayne added. “There’s your update. Thanks guys.”





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