What happens when the persona becomes the product? We sit down with creator and model Annie Miao to explore the strange, funny, and sometimes tender space where AI influencers, VTubers, and deepfakes collide with mental health, body image, and the business of being online. From cat ears to consent, we unpack why audiences follow people more than topics—and how that changes what “authentic” even means. Annie traces her path from bullied band kid to internet-native creative, sharing how the we...