Sorry, Not Sorry? The Trevor Noah and Nicki Minaj AI Video That Fooled the Internet

The Video That Sparked A Whole New Drama

South Africans love a bit of online chaos, but this week’s trending clip of Trevor Noah took things to a whole new level. A hyper-realistic AI generated video surfaced on social media showing the Grammys host refusing to apologise to Nicki Minaj for a joke he made about her.

The clip looked convincing. The voice, the mannerisms and even the facial expressions felt on-brand for Noah. The problem was that none of it was real.

In the deepfake, the AI version of Noah boldly declares that he “does not regret mocking Nicki Minaj” and labels her a “complete clown” and a “tail-wagging lapdog”. He also claims he will “never apologise for speaking the truth”. It’s the kind of spicy soundbite guaranteed to go viral, and it did exactly that.

But according to people close to the actual Grammys production, Noah never made these comments. The entire video was fabricated using AI.

What Actually Happened At The Grammys

To understand why this deepfake took off, we need to rewind to what Noah really said during the ceremony.

As host of the 2026 Grammy Awards, Noah made a light jab about Minaj’s public friendliness with Donald Trump. He joked that Minaj was still “at the White House with Trump discussing important issues” and even mimicked what such a conversation might sound like.

It was typical Trevor Noah: political, playful and just edgy enough to get people talking. But Minaj did not take it well.

On her X account, she fired back, hinting at the comedian’s sexuality and alleging he had a boyfriend in the entertainment industry.

The feud was already buzzing online when another twist arrived: Trump himself responded, threatening to sue Noah. With tensions already high, the arrival of a fake video poured fuel on the fire.

Why The AI Clip Hit So Hard

Deepfakes have improved dramatically in the past few years, and this one hit all the right pressure points. For South Africans, Trevor Noah is not just another celebrity. He’s a cultural touchstone and one of the country’s biggest global exports. People pay attention when his name trends.

The video also landed during a moment when AI misinformation is becoming more commonplace, especially around major public events like the Grammys, where celebrities are already under intense scrutiny.

Many people admitted they initially believed the video was real before realising it was artificially generated. The confusion is understandable. The clip blends a real feud with fake commentary, and in today’s fast-paced online culture, many people react before verifying.

The Bigger Conversation Around AI And Celebrity Culture

This saga is more than just a viral moment. It shows how quickly AI tools can reshape a narrative, especially when two globally influential figures are already in the spotlight.

It’s a reminder that:

• AI deepfakes are now sophisticated enough to imitate celebrity voices and faces almost perfectly
• Public figures may face fabricated controversies alongside real ones
• Audiences need stronger media literacy to tell fact from fiction

For South Africans following the story, it’s also a wake-up call about how digital misinformation can easily spill into mainstream conversation, even around entertainment and celebrity news.

@hddgfdhdhfj Grammys host Trevor Noah has broken his silence and responded to Nicki Minaj’s attacks against him.#usa #foryoupage #fyp #trevornoah #grammys #nickiminaj #usatiktok #usa🇺🇸 #trevor #noah #trevornoah #nicki #minaj ♬ original sound – Football.02

{Source:The South African}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com