Sharon Osbourne has responded to those who are calling an upcoming AI avatar of Ozzy Osbourne a “cash grab” – telling them that she “doesn’t need your fucking money”.
News of an AI avatar of the Prince Of Darkness was confirmed by his widow and former manager Sharon last month, as well as by their son Jack, during a discussion about the future of Ozzy’s brand at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas.
Both of them confirmed that the family had enlisted tech company Hyperreal to create the digital version of the heavy metal pioneer – who passed away last summer, aged 76 – but the move was quick to divide fans, with some calling it distasteful.
Amid the skepticism, Jack spoke about the plans on his YouTube channel and said that they were focused on keeping it “tasteful” and determined to make sure it wasn’t “lame”.
He also dismissed rumours that the endeavour was essentially like “hooking up an image of my dad to ChatGPT”, outlining that he spoke about it with Ozzy before his death, and was moving forward with it as he thinks it is “something that my dad would be into”.
Now, Sharon has also defended the decision to create an AI avatar of her late husband too, and rejected claims that she and the family are simply doing it as a way to make money off the late rock legend.
Describing it as a technological advancement, Sharon said on The Osbournes Podcast: “The thing is, it’s like when there were propellers and then there were jet planes. [People would question] ‘Why go on a jet when there’s a propeller? It’s a cash grab’.”
“Well, you know what, technology moves on,” she continued. “And I’m sorry for those people. I’m not asking you to come. I don’t want your fucking money. I don’t need your fucking money. I’m doing very well.”
Adding that her late husband would have been supportive of the project, Sharon said: “For somebody to turn around to me and say I’m doing a cash grab? No, you don’t know my husband, OK? I know my husband.
“My husband would say to me over and over, ‘After I go, how long do you think I’ll be remembered?’”
She also said that she sees the endeavour as something that “will pass on through our family” and help their grandchildren remember Ozzy, while Jack said that it was only a matter of time before someone else took the idea.
“Either we do it or someone else is gonna do it,” he said, “And for me, it’s not about pretending he’s still alive. It’s making sure he’s never forgotten.”
As well as announcing the AI avatar to preserve the legacy of the Black Sabbath frontman, Jack has also confirmed that a biopic about his parents is “absolutely” happening and is looking at a 2028 release.
Rumours of the movie date back to 2021 and the script is being written by Oscar-nominee Lee Hall (Rocketman, Billy Elliott), and developed by Sony Pictures and Polygram.
It is not yet confirmed who will be playing the heavy metal icon in the biopic, although there has been speculation over whether Yungblud could take on the role.
Piers Morgan asked Sharon last year if she was considering the Doncaster singer for the role – as he is a close friend of the family, performed at the final Black Sabbath show, and has regularly shared his admiration for Ozzy – to which Sharon simply responded: “I’m not saying a word.”
At the start of the year, Jack revealed that “a phenomenal, phenomenal actor” was taking on the role, but did not confirm who it was.
