{
  "id": 453262,
  "title": "#SHOWBIZ: AI actress Fang Taozi commands close to RM160k for 60-second China ad",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/showbiz-ai-actress-fang-taozi-commands-close-to-rm160k-for-60-second",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-10T08:44:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2026/08/1508211/%E2%80%8Bshowbiz-ai-actress-fang-taozi-commands-close-rm160k-60-second"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "China's AI sensation Fang Taozi is revolutionizing the world of digital endorsements. The hyper-realistic virtual actress, known for her uncanny resemblance to Japanese star Nana Komatsu, recently signed her first commercial deal with a contact lens company, commanding up to RM160,000 for a 60-second ad, according to industry estimates. This impressive figure places Taozi among the highest-paid digital influencers, exceeding many traditional celebrities and top human influencers. As an AI, Taozi boasts several advantages over real-life stars - she doesn't age, avoids scandals, and maintains a non-stop social media presence. However, her meteoric rise has sparked debate among netizens about the authenticity of these digital personas. Critics argue that AI stars lack real-world experience with the products they endorse, questioning their credibility and the future of advertising. Despite these concerns, Taozi's success highlights the growing commercial power of AI stars in China.",
  "summary": "BEIJING: China’s rising virtual superstar is giving human celebrities a run for their money.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "China’s breakout AI actress Fang Taozi has 250 million views — and human performers are getting nervous",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/chinas-breakout-ai-actress-fang-taozi-has-250-million-views-and-human",
        "published": "2026-08-09T09:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}