Smart glasses are gaining popularity, but a new wave of celebrity backlash threatens to undermine their mainstream acceptance. Lorde and Tyler the Creator have publicly criticized Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, while Kylie Jenner continues to endorse them, creating a clash of influential voices.
During a performance at the Real Cool Festival in Madrid, Lorde told the crowd, "Fuck the glasses. Don't get the glasses. Not sexy" Source: The Verge. She expressed discomfort with not being able to tell if someone is wearing smart glasses with cameras. Tyler the Creator similarly blasted the glasses on Instagram, calling users "real weirdos" Source: Gizmodo.
The backlash contrasts with Kylie Jenner's collaboration with Meta on the Starfire Kylie Edition smart glasses, which have been heavily promoted. Jenner's endorsement represents a powerful force for normalizing the devices, while Lorde and Tyler's critiques tap into privacy and social awkwardness concerns Source: Gizmodo.
The situation echoes the failure of Google Glass in 2013, which was undermined by negative social perception and the "glasshole" label. Celebrity opinions may now play a decisive role in shaping public attitudes toward smart glasses Source: Gizmodo.