Mario Lopez's family day at Dodger Stadium quickly turned into an online storm after he shared an AI-generated video featuring his 19-year-old niece, Kalia Wong. The television personality later deleted the clip after many viewers claimed it crossed the line, with critics arguing that the digitally altered footage appeared to sexualise his niece.
The controversy spread rapidly across X, where users questioned why the clip had been created in the first place. Although Lopez removed the post, copies of the video continued circulating online, keeping the criticism alive long after it disappeared from his account.
Family Day Took an Unexpected Turn
Lopez attended the Los Angeles Dodgers game against the Boston Red Sox with Wong, who is also known as YaYa. The pair originally appeared to be enjoying a relaxed afternoon together at Dodger Stadium before the AI-generated video was uploaded.
The altered clip showed Wong attempting to eat two hot dogs at once while mustard and relish spilled over her Dodgers shirt and face. An AI version of Lopez joked, 'I can't take her anywhere. Oh my God, look at you. You're a mess, the mustard!', before the digital version of Wong replied, 'It's so good!'
The AI Clip Quickly Raised Eyebrows
The video was created using Grok, the artificial intelligence tool available through X. A Community Note was later added to the post, informing viewers that the footage had been generated using AI rather than showing a real moment from the game.
Lopez also reposted the clip to his Instagram Story alongside the caption, 'My niece is out of control!' That decision only brought more attention to the video as it spread across multiple social media platforms.
Viewers Focused on the Same Concern
Much of the criticism centred on the relationship between Lopez and Wong rather than the use of AI itself. Many viewers said they found the exaggerated food scene uncomfortable because the subject of the video was his niece.
Several comments described the clip as 'creepy', while others accused it of appearing sexually suggestive. One user called it 'one of the weirdest tweets I've ever seen', while another wrote, 'Using AI to sexualise your niece is weird and disgusting.'
Fellow Media Personalities Also Reacted
Freelance journalist Yashar Ali was among the most prominent voices to react after reposting the video. He wrote, 'Uhhhh, what a creepy video for Mario Lopez to create using AI and then post. Especially since the subject is his niece!'
Uhhhh, what a creepy video for Mario Lopez to create using AI and then post…
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) August 3, 2026
Especially since the subject is his niece! pic.twitter.com/3hgKxYnUdz
Other public figures also questioned the decision. Barstool Sports personality Dan Katz simply posted, 'What the fuck, Mario?', while fellow Barstool contributor Jeff D. Lowe described it as 'one of the weirdest tweets I've ever seen.'
Lopez Quietly Removed the Video
As criticism continued to grow, Lopez deleted the AI-generated post without issuing a public explanation. At the time of writing, he has not commented on the backlash, while media outlets have reportedly contacted his representatives for a response.
The presenter did, however, leave another video from the Dodgers game on his page. In that post, Lopez and Wong simply discussed the team's playoff hopes, with Wong expressing her excitement for the game, creating a sharp contrast with the deleted AI clip that sparked the controversy.
The Incident Added to AI Concerns
The incident arrives as AI-generated content faces increasing scrutiny across social media.
Critics have repeatedly warned that realistic AI tools can create misleading or suggestive content that raises ethical questions, even when the people shown never actually performed those actions.
Grok has also faced criticism in recent months over reports involving explicit and suggestive AI-generated images.
While Lopez's video was clearly labelled as AI-made, the backlash shows that many users believe the technology still carries responsibility when it is used to depict real people, especially family members, in controversial situations.
