A prominent German TV presenter, Collien Fernandes, 44, has launched a lawsuit against her ex-husband, TV host Christian Ulmen, 50, accusing him of creating hundreds of deepfake pornographic images and videos of her over a decade.
The Shocking Revelation
Fernandes and Ulmen, a high-profile couple since 2011, separated in 2025 and finalized their divorce in March 2026. Fernandes recently disclosed the ordeal on Instagram, explaining she first learned of the deepfakes five years ago after discovering a video depicting a woman resembling her in a group sex scenario.
“For years, fake profiles appeared in my name, with someone distributing fabricated nude photos and sex videos that mimicked private content, suggesting I had recorded them myself,” Fernandes wrote. She noted the harassment persisted even as she filmed a 2024 documentary on deepfakes, until platforms suspended the accounts.
The campaign involved AI-generated pornography, fake profiles, and manipulated audio of her voice in simulated phone sex conversations. Fernandes revealed Ulmen as the culprit, who confessed on Christmas Day 2024 following her police complaint against unknown perpetrators.
Ulmen’s Confession and Justification
Ulmen reportedly justified his actions by claiming he “owned” her, stating, “Because he owned me, he could make me available to other men for sex.” An email from Ulmen to a law firm describes how he developed a “sexual fetish” over the past 10 years, driven by a “difficult to control impulse.”
He allegedly shared the deepfake videos with contacts on free porn sites, leading recipients to believe they were engaging in an affair with Fernandes. In a text message, she confronted him: “You virtually raped me.” The couple shares a daughter.
History of Abuse
Sources close to Fernandes indicate she endured prior physical and psychological abuse from Ulmen, including an alleged assault outside a cafe in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, in 2023, as witnessed by bystanders.
Public Outrage and Calls for Action
The case has ignited fury across Germany, culminating in a massive rally at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate on March 22, 2026, where participants displayed placards reading “Thank you Collien.” Over 250 female politicians and cultural figures have demanded stricter laws against deepfakes and femicides.
Justice Ministry spokesperson Eike Hosemann announced at a press conference that a new law on digital violence will soon criminalize such acts. “Criminal law currently falls short, especially on deepfakes and related issues,” he stated.
Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig emphasized: “We aim to ensure perpetrators can no longer feel safe and face identification and prosecution.”
Broader Context and Statistics
In Germany, 60% of women and girls experience digital violence, exacerbated by generative AI. Globally, 98% of deepfake videos are non-consensual pornography targeting women. A 2025 UN Women report highlights how AI amplifies gender-based violence through impersonation, sextortion, and doxing.
A preliminary probe has begun in Spain, where the couple lived before separating. Authorities in Palma de Mallorca received a 40-page brief from the department handling violence against women. Ulmen has retained a lawyer to pursue action against a German publication covering the story.
