Jake Paul responds to Sora AI deepfake videos spreading false LGBTQ coming out claims
Photo: Reuters
YouTuber and professional boxer Jake Paul has responded to a wave of deepfake videos circulating on TikTok that falsely depict him coming out as gay. The ultra-realistic clips, reportedly generated using OpenAI’s Sora AI video model, show Paul draped in an LGBTQ+ Pride flag or wearing a tutu while discussing his “sexuality.”
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The fabricated videos quickly went viral in early October 2025, amassing millions of views and sparking widespread confusion among social media users. Some commenters expressed alarm over the realism of the content, calling it a disturbing example of how far AI manipulation has progressed.
Paul, however, appeared to take the incident in stride. He reposted several of the fake clips to his official TikTok account, using the moment to promote his energy drink brand, Celsius. “AI is getting out of hand,” Paul said in one of his videos reacting to the controversy.
His fiancée, Jutta Leerdam, voiced concern over the situation, commenting on one of the deepfakes: “HELP.” She later stated, “I don’t like it, it’s not funny! People believe it!”
The Sora AI model, launched by OpenAI in late 2024, enables users to create realistic videos from text prompts. While the tool has been praised for its innovation, it has also drawn criticism from entertainment industry figures over copyright and likeness misuse.
Paul, who has never publicly identified as gay, has used AI-generated clips in the past to promote events, including his boxing match against Gervonta Davis. The latest trend, however, has reignited debates around the ethical limits of AI-generated content and the growing risks of deepfake misinformation in digital media.