Grainne Seoige wins praise after opening up about the impact of deep fake images in ...

Gráinne Seoige has been praised by viewers after opening up the devastating impact deep fake images had on her during an emotional appearance on The Late Late Show.

The broadcaster spoke candidly to Patrick Kielty her experience after explicit AI-generated images of her were circulated during the 2024 general election campaign, when she was running as a Fianna Fáil candidate in Galway West.

Gráinne previously described the incident as “the most shocking thing that’s ever happened to me in my life”, but told viewers on Friday night the lasting impact the ordeal had on her.

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She admitted that she felt “humiliated” by what had happened and spent months feeling vulnerable whenever she left her .

Speaking the abuse she experienced alongside the pressures of the election campaign, Gráinne said: “It was a very difficult time, coupled with this abuse that I wasn’t talking that I didn’t draw attention to at the time because I was ashamed.”

“I felt humiliated, and I was just trying to get through the campaign.”

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The former RTÉ presenter also spoke the wider narratives surrounding her political campaign, explaining that she felt she was being portrayed as a “celebrity candidate” with “no substance” or qualifications to be there.

She said the deep fake images ultimately “took the feet” from underneath her during an already difficult period.

Gráinne revealed that she was diagnosed with PTSD following the ordeal and explained that she had spoken to other women who had been targeted with similar images.

She said the women she spoke to experienced terrifying nightmares involving being assaulted, stripped naked or raped.

Gráinne explained that the experience left her feeling exposed in public, saying she became worried that people knew what she looked like naked.

The impact was so severe that she admitted she would go to Dunnes Stores in disguise for several months.

“I spent a long time going to Dunnes in a long ankle-length puffer coat and a surgical mask,” she explained.

However, Gráinne said the situation became even more difficult when her local newspaper reported on the deep fake images.

She explained that the paper printed a graphic description of the image, despite her parents being among its readers.

“That really was the last straw for me,” she said, revealing that she eventually had to leave Galway for a period of time.

The emotional interview struck a chord with viewers, who took to social media to praise Gráinne for speaking so openly her experience.

One viewer thanked her for speaking out, saying that many people had experienced similar abuse.

Another said Gráinne’s decision to speak publicly what happened would “help so many people”.

A third praised her for raising the conversation and described her as an “absolute powerhouse”.

Another viewer added: “Absolutely love the courage of this lady; she stuck up for women and highlighted what we have to endure.”

Gráinne has continued to speak publicly the issue of AI-generated sexual images and the impact they can have on victims, including through a documentary exploring her own experience.