A family outing at a Dodgers game quickly turned into an online controversy after an AI-generated video shared by Mario Lopez sparked widespread criticism. The actor later deleted the post, though he has not publicly addressed the backlash.
Mario Lopez faced backlash after posting an AI-generated clip of his niece Kalia on social media
Mario Lopez deleted an AI video of his niece after it drew widespread criticism online. The Saved by the Bell alum, 52, attended Sunday’s Dodgers game against the Boston Red Sox with Kalia Wong, who goes by YaYa. He posted a normal clip from the stadium first, then followed it with something viewers found far stranger.
According to RadarOnline, the AI-generated clip showed a fictional version of Wong struggling to eat two loaded hot dogs before spilling mustard on her jersey and face, while an AI version of Lopez joked, “I can’t take her anywhere.”
The reaction turned fast. Journalist Yashar Ali wrote, “Uhhhh, what a creepy video for Mario Lopez to create using AI and then post.” Barstool Sports personality Dan Katz also criticized the clip, reacting with blunt disbelief, while others argued it was inappropriate, with many describing it as unsettling. One commenter told him plainly that there was still time to delete it.
Many took the Mario Lopez backlash further. Critics argued the clip clashed with the family-man image he has built for decades. The post racked up roughly three million views before he pulled it down.
Neither Lopez nor Wong has addressed the controversy. Mario Lopez’s niece is the daughter of his younger sister Marissa and former NFL linebacker Kailee Wong, and she has competed in pageants and studied dance since childhood.
According to ABC News, the incident comes years after Lopez faced criticism in 2019 over comments he made about transgender children during an appearance on The Candace Owens Show. He later apologized, calling his remarks “ignorant and insensitive.”
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