On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, country singer Martina McBride spoke to Congress in support of the NO FAKES Act. The NO FAKES Act aims to support artists, musicians, and actors from AI-generated deepfakes of their image, likeness, and voice. The act is seeking out federal protections, and also intends to protect an artist’s likeness 70 years after their death. As of now, nearly 400 artists have supported the legislation.
Some of the more notable artists to support the NO FAKES Act include Missy Elliot, LeAnn Rimes, Bette Midler, Sean Astin, and Scarlett Johansson. That number is growing, and one other advocate who has joined the cause is country music singer Martina McBride. The masses know McBride for her hit singles “Independence Day,” “Valentine,” and “Concrete Angel.” Furthermore, McBride is also a CMA winner and an ACM Winner.
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McBride testified in front of Congress in order to support the artists susceptible to having their image, likeness, and voice replicated by AI, calling AI deepfakes “just terrifying.”
Martina McBride Sheds Light on AI’s Artistic Conundrum
In her testimony, McBride stated, “AI technology is amazing and can be used for so many wonderful purposes, but like all great technologies, it can also be abused, in this case by stealing people’s voices and likenesses to scare and defraud families, manipulate the images of young girls in ways that are shocking to say the least, impersonate government officials or make phony recordings posing as artists like me,” per the Associated Press.
She continued, “I’m pleading with you to give me the tools to stop that kind of betrayal. (The NO FAKES Act could) set America on the right course to develop the world’s best AI while preserving the sacred qualities that make our country so special: authenticity, integrity, humanity, and our endlessly inspiring spirit … I urge you to pass this bill now.”
Other industry figures supporting the act include Mitch Glazier, the CEO of the RIAA, and Suzana Carlos, head of music policy at YouTube. Time will tell what the Senate and House decide to do with the bill. However, McBride’s testimony surely helped bolster the act’s case.
Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMT
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