‘So wrong’: Popular NRL reporter’s disturbing bikini video ordeal

A popular NRL presenter has issued a statement after she became the latest female rugby league figure to be targeted by a disturbing new trend.

NRL presenter Tiffany Salmond has revealed she is the latest female rugby league figure to become the victim of deepfake AI.

The popular reporter has gained a large following in recent years for her work on the sideline of New Zealand Warriors games as part of Fox League’s coverage.

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Salmond moved across the ditch from New Zealand to Sydney in 2025 and regularly responds in good spirit to footy fans calling for her to return to an NRL TV broadcast.

But on Monday morning Salmond said she had been targeted by a deepfake AI attack, with a recent photo she posted on Instagram doctored into a fake video and shared on social media.

“This morning I posted a photo of myself in a bikini,” Salmond wrote on Instagram.

“Within hours a deepfake AI video was reportedly created and circulated.

“It’s not the first time this has happened to me, and I know I’m not the only woman in sport this is happening to.”

She added: “You don’t make deepfakes of women you overlook. You make them of women you can’t control.

Tiffany Salmond has slammed a deepfake video. Photos: Instagram.

“This is what it looks like when a woman commands space, attention and presence. It threatens people.

“But I’m not threatened. I’m not flattered and I’m not going anywhere.

“It’s not the first time, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.”

Salmond wrote in an Instagram story on Sunday: “Drinking a strawberry matcha while men spiral online. (Majority of you are sweethearts, don’t worry).”

She was inundated with messages of support from her followers who condemned the deepfake AI attack.

One person commented: “Omg!!!!! Yuck! I’m so sorry this has happened to you girl.”

Another said: “So wrong. So incredibly sorry it’s happened to you!”

Salmond is a popular NRL sideline reporter. Photo: Instagram.

She has become a fan favourite. Photo: Instagram.

Last week Salmond thanked her fans for their ongoing calls for her to return to the NRL’s TV coverage.

“Even knowing a sideline role is pretty interchangebale and I barely had much screen time, to still be receiving this kind of support all this time later, mid-season, it’s humbling,” she said.

“So thank you. I’m sure you’ll be seeing me back on your screens very soon, whatever capacity they may be in.”

Salmond’s ordeal comes just weeks after NRLW superstar Jaime Chapman went public after also becoming a victim of a deepfake AI attack.

The Gold Coast Titans winger on hit out after seeing doctored images of herself swirling around cyberspace, prompting a police investigation.

The 23-year-old told her 86,000 Instagram followers it was not the first time images she has shared on social media have been distorted through deepfake AI programs.

Her Instagram post showed a high rise photo of a beach and an inset image, believed to be the fake AI image, of herself posing for a mirror selfie in a golden bikini.

It was a public plea for whoever is responsible to stop.

Jaime Chapman’s post about the deepfake AI photo.

An Instagram post by State of Origin Maroons player Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow with his NRLW girlfriend Jaime Chapman. Source: Instagram.

“Have a good day to everyone except those who make fake ai photos of other people,” she posted.

She also wrote: “Next time think of how damaging this can be to someone and their loved ones.

“This has happened a few times now and it needs to stop.”

Alongside the bikini pic Chapman wrote: “AI is scary these days”.

The Gold Coast Titans released a statement on Tuesday afternoon, stating they are working alongside the NRL Integrity Unit and NSW Police to trace the origin of the deepfake AI doctored images.

“Jaime is an incredible role mode for not just our club, but for the game as a whole,” Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said in a statement.

“Not only is she a star on the field with the Titans and the Blues, but her continued work in the community is exemplary as she continues to inspire young girls of all ages on and off the field.

“It’s hugely disappointing to see her victimised in this way and we will continue to support Jaime and work with the NRL and authorities on this matter.

“We will always stand up to online bullying and the creation of such defamatory false content that Jaime has been subjected to, and I wholeheartedly join with her in condemning those who have produced such vile material.”

Chapman starred in NSW’s series clinching State of Origin win, scoring a try in the Blues’ dominant Game 2 victory.

What is deepfake AI?

Deepfake AI videos are synthetic media created using artificial intelligence, particularly a branch of machine learning called deep learning.

These videos convincingly alter or generate footage to make it appear that someone is saying or doing something they never actually did.

This is typically achieved by training algorithms on large amounts of video and audio data of a person, allowing the AI to mimic their facial expressions, voice, and mannerisms with startling realism.

While the technology has legitimate uses — such as in film production, gaming, or even education — deepfakes are more commonly known for their misuse.

They’ve been used to spread misinformation, impersonate public figures, and create non-consensual explicit content, particularly targeting women.

Concerns are growing about Deepfake AI technology. Photo: iStock.

Australian school students are facing the terrifying threat of disturbing fake nude photographs with their faces being circulated online.

Cybersafety expert and former police officer Susan McLean said creating sexually explicit, AI-generated images is now as easy as uploading a clothed photo of someone and choosing a pose for an app to then spit out a pornographic image, and it will only become more of a problem.

Sending real or fake nude images of people under the age of 18 is a crime, but the harsh reality is, “there is nothing any person can do to protect themselves from this,” Ms McLean told news.com.au.

“You have to hope that someone doesn’t choose you to become a victim; you have to hope that the offender doesn’t offend,” she said.

Ms McLean said instead of trying to fight the apps that create the content, the focus needs to be on educating young men on respectful and lawful behaviour.

“Victims of this crime need a lot of support and consistent and ongoing support. And it is never their fault whatsoever,” Ms McLean said.

“We’ve got to do something to change the mindset of young men who believe this is a good idea to do.”

Originally published as ‘So wrong’: Popular NRL reporter’s disturbing bikini video ordeal