A project unveiled at Las Vegas Licensing Expo
Tuesday, May 27 — Nearly a year after the death of the Black Sabbath frontman, his family has presented a digital avatar designed to reproduce the musician’s voice, appearance and personality. According to reports by Billboard and BBC News, the project was unveiled at the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. It is being led by Sharon and Jack Osbourne with the support of Hyperreal, a company specialised in digital replicas.
An “interactive” Ozzy announced for 2026
The avatar will be able to converse with the public, respond to questions and appear on interactive screens rolled out in the United States and the United Kingdom starting in 2026. Its designers are banking on a real-time system, capable of adapting to the context of each exchange.
Jack Osbourne defends a “digital footprint”
The singer’s son has stepped up his comments to justify the venture. He claims his father “will exist digitally as himself for as long as we have computers” and describes the accuracy of the technology as “kind of scary.” He also assures that the avatar will deliver responses consistent with the musician’s personality. Hyperreal, for its part, says it relies on authorised sources and on what the company calls the “digital DNA” of the artist’s voice, image and movement.
Wave of criticism on social media
The announcement was poorly received by some fans. Several users see it as an intrusion into the singer’s memory, even a form of disrespect toward the deceased. Others denounce a commercial operation dressed up as a tribute, or challenge the very idea of artificially prolonging the public presence of an artist after his death.
The family’s response
Faced with the reactions, Jack Osbourne sought to reassure the public. He promises a project carried out “tastefully,” far from any opportunistic logic, and specifies that the result “is not gonna be lame.” He adds that the initiative would have been discussed with Ozzy during his lifetime, which would suggest, according to him, that the singer was not opposed to it.
A trend taking hold
The Ozzy Osbourne avatar is part of a broader movement of digital reconstructions of departed artists. Radio-Canada recalls that in 2012, a hologram of Tupac Shakur was projected at Coachella alongside Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. More recently, the ABBA Voyage show in London has gathered thousands of spectators around digital versions of the Swedish group.
Key points about the digital avatar project
- The project involves creating a digital replica of Ozzy Osbourne, using advanced technology to recreate his voice, appearance, and personality.
- The avatar is set to interact with the public through interactive screens in the US and UK starting in 2026.
- Jack Osbourne has defended the initiative, stating that it is a way to keep Ozzy’s legacy alive digitally.
- Some fans have expressed concerns, viewing the project as disrespectful or overly commercial.
- The initiative aligns with a growing trend of using digital technology to bring back the presence of deceased artists.
