Sharon Osbourne has fired back at critics who have accused her of orchestrating a “cash grab” by creating an AI avatar of her late husband, rock legend Ozzy Osbourne. Following the Black Sabbath frontman’s death at the age of 76 last July, Sharon, 73, revealed that the family had partnered with AI and hologram companies Hyperreal and Proto Hologram to digitise Ozzy in lifelike 3D.
The AI creation, designed to interact with fans in the UK and the US, was first announced at Licensing Expo 2026 in London, where Sharon described the possibilities as “endless.” But now, with sceptics questioning the motives behind the digital resurrection, Sharon and their son Jack, 40, have defended the project, insisting that it is about preserving Ozzy’s legacy for future generations.
“It’s for Our Grandkids”
Speaking on The Osbournes podcast, Sharon addressed the criticisms directly, explaining that the initiative is deeply personal: “I was reading some of the comments, and it’s like, ‘Oh, fk off. Give me a break.’ The thing is, it’s like saying when there were propeller planes, then there were jets. People called that a cash grab, right? But technology moves on. And I’m sorry for those people. I’m not asking you to come, I don’t want your fking money. I don’t need your f**king money. I’m doing very well.”
Sharon was equally clear that the digital Ozzy is about family continuity rather than profit. “And the thing is, for somebody to turn around and say I’m doing a cash grab? No, you don’t know my husband, OK? I know my husband. And my husband would say to me over and over, ‘After I go, how long do you think I’ll be remembered? How long do you think?’ And I go, ‘I just don’t know, because I’ll probably be going with you. So don’t ask me.’ This is something that will pass on through our family, and it’s for our grandkids.”
Jack Osbourne echoed his mother’s sentiments, elaborating on the technical safeguards and ethical considerations: “I have so much I want to unpack with this because what we’re doing… isn’t ChatGPT with dad’s face on it. This is a closed AI. It’s not connected to the internet. We build a database, and the thing that I cannot emphasize enough is that this is only information that either my dad said, was accurate, or was written accurately.”
Preserving Ozzy’s Legacy
The AI will allow fans to interact with Ozzy in real time, with responses carefully calibrated to reflect his true personality, voice, and mannerisms. Sharon emphasised that this is not about pretending Ozzy is still alive but rather ensuring that his spirit endures. “It’s about making sure he’s never forgotten,” she explained. “Elvis died 50 years ago, and everybody knows Elvis. I just want that for Ozzy.”
Hyperreal CEO Remington Scott outlined the technology powering the avatar, which he described as a “Digital DNA” approach capturing four dimensions of a person’s identity: likeness, voice, motion, and performance character. All data comes from authenticated, consented sources curated by Ozzy’s closest family and associates, ensuring the avatar remains true to the man fans knew and loved.
Proto Hologram will render the AI using advanced holographic displays, creating a visually stunning, lifelike experience. Scott reassured parents that while Ozzy’s notorious colourful language will be intact, guardrails are in place to protect younger audiences. “We’re well aware of Ozzy’s famously colourful vocabulary, and we wouldn’t have it any other way… The parameters are shaped by the people who know and love him best, not by a corporation sanitising his personality,” he said.
Innovative Technology, Family-First Philosophy
The Osbourne family has been clear that this AI project is guided by personal motivations rather than commercial gain. Sharon joked about detractors: “People are saying, ‘Oh, it’s a cash grab.’ I’m not interested in that. This is about love. This is about memory. This is about our grandkids.”
The project will allow fans to “ask [digital Ozzy] anything, and he will answer in his own voice,” Sharon said. “We’re taking it all around the world. It’s a chance to engage with him, to remember him, to laugh with him. That’s what we want.”
Jack highlighted the care taken in the development of the AI: “Everything that goes into this avatar has been verified and cross-checked. It’s respectful, accurate, and reflects the Ozzy we knew. People shouldn’t worry about it being some gimmick or for profit. It’s personal, it’s ethical, and it’s controlled by the family.”
Honouring a Rock Legend
Ozzy Osbourne’s death in July 2025 left a profound void in the world of rock music, but Sharon has long been committed to celebrating her husband’s legacy. From live tributes to charity initiatives, the family has maintained a careful balance between public commemoration and private grief. The AI project represents the next step in this ongoing effort to honour Ozzy in a way that bridges generations.
Sharon emphasised that the initiative is not a replacement for human memory or interaction. “This isn’t a way to pretend he’s still here. It’s about education, entertainment, and celebration. It’s about making sure future generations can meet the person he was, in a way that’s interactive and fun.”
The AI avatar also serves as a living archive of Ozzy’s wit, humour, and idiosyncrasies—elements that defined him both on stage and off. “It captures his essence,” Jack said. “You’ll get the jokes, the sarcasm, the heart. That’s Ozzy. That’s what fans want to remember.”
Looking Ahead
Sharon and Jack plan to launch the AI avatar in both the UK and the US later this summer, making it accessible to fans across continents. The family envisions a series of global events and interactive experiences, where fans can meet the holographic Ozzy, ask questions, and celebrate the music and legacy he left behind.
For Sharon, the project is ultimately about love, memory, and continuity. “When people ask me why we’re doing this, I say, ‘Because we love him, and because our grandkids deserve to know him.’ That’s it. Simple as that.”
The Osbournes’ embrace of cutting-edge technology has sparked conversation and controversy alike, but Sharon and Jack remain resolute. For them, the AI is less about novelty and more about keeping Ozzy’s spirit alive in a way that is personal, authentic, and enduring.
As Sharon put it: “We can’t bring him back, but we can make sure he’s never forgotten. That’s what matters. And if people don’t like it, well… that’s their problem. This is about family, and that’s all that counts.”
Legacy Secured
With fans eagerly awaiting the AI’s debut, it seems clear that Ozzy’s presence will continue to resonate far beyond his passing. Through careful design, ethical control, and a family-first philosophy, the Osbournes are ensuring that one of rock’s greatest icons remains vibrant and accessible for generations to come.
The marriage of cutting-edge technology and heartfelt devotion has created a blueprint for how families might commemorate their loved ones in the digital age—balancing innovation, legacy, and respect in a way that honours memory without exploiting it.
Sharon and Jack’s vision is both bold and deeply personal, promising fans an experience that combines nostalgia, interaction, and reverence. In the words of Sharon Osbourne: “This is Ozzy for the future. For our family, our fans, and our grandchildren. That’s what it’s really all about.”
