Los Angeles magazine released its special election issue cover featuring AI-generated versions of mayoral candidates Nithya Raman and Spencer Pratt, turning a planned editorial jab into a rapid online backlash that pushed readers to demand real artists and que
When Los Angeles magazine posted its special election issue cover, it looked like a provocation—Nithya Raman and Spencer Pratt posed for a moment that appeared tailored for local politics. Then viewers noticed the faces weren’t the candidates at all.
The cover used AI-generated versions of Raman and Pratt, presented as a deliberate collage. Raman is shown leaning into Pratt, while the image places a Ghana flag beside a burning Los Angeles backdrop. The publication framed the decision as intentional, posting on X: “The cover is fake. The crisis is real. ” and adding: “Whether you love it. hate it. question it. or can’t stop looking at it . . . this is the L.A. we’re living in.”.
But the reaction moved quickly, and many didn’t buy the subversive intent. Content creator Matt Bernstein responded on X with a pointed summary of the criticism: “Every time someone tries to use AI in a subversive or countercultural or ‘highbrow’ way. it looks the exact same as Facebook slop. ‘Hire a damn artist.’”.
Others echoed the same demand—use human designers, not artificial images. One X user wrote: “Why use AI? Real pictures of these people exist. A graphic designer could’ve done this cover relatively quickly. This type of shit is why people don’t fuck with LA mag.”
A separate criticism focused on the cover’s logic. Another user said: “It’s funny because by using these AI pictures that don’t look like either of the candidates, it seems like the crisis is as manufactured as the cover.”
The backlash also widened to the magazine’s internal and ownership story. Page Six Hollywood reported that the man behind the cover was the magazine’s co-owner. defense attorney Mark Geragos. who bought the media outlet in 2022. The same reporting said staffers in the editorial department reportedly pushed back on the idea of using AI for the cover. yet the image ultimately “made it across the finish line.” Fast Company reached out to Los Angeles magazine for comment.
The image itself contained more than just faces. Raman’s jewelry includes a charm that says “DSA,” for Democratic Socialists of America. Pratt has a similar charm necklace, but shaped as a garbage can—an apparent reference to his viral “take out the trash” campaign videos.
Even with those details, the cover didn’t land. One X user wrote: “Understood that you’re making a point about how AI is influencing this election, but IMO a reputable print publication should hire an artist for a fictional cover. IMO, this AI cover damages your reputation.”
For some readers. the moment became a broader argument about how far the publication has moved from what made it visually distinctive in earlier years. One user posted a reminder alongside pictures of classic L.A. magazine covers from back in the day: “Not wading into the AI wars. but a gentle reminder that 1960s-era Los Angeles magazine was known for its striking cover art. painted by real artists.”.
Los Angeles magazine AI cover election issue Nithya Raman Spencer Pratt Mark Geragos Mark Geragos co-owner Democratic Socialists of America Ghana flag backlash X AI in media graphic designer
AI cover is lame. Hire an artist.
So wait they used AI faces but still called it intentional?? Seems like they just wanted clicks. If the crisis is real then why mess with it like that.
I don’t even think it’s that deep lol. Like people acting offended like the cover is a crime. But yeah, also, how hard is it to get real photos of the candidates?? A designer could’ve done it fast. The burning LA backdrop and Ghana flag part is weird too.
This is exactly why I don’t trust LA Mag anymore. They say “fake, crisis is real” but then they’re basically manufacturing outrage with AI anyway. And honestly if they got AI to do it, they probably also used AI to write the article?? idk. I saw people online saying it’s like Facebook slop, and I kinda get it. Just use real pictures and stop making everything weird.