A wave of deepfake videos featuring YouTuber and professional boxer Jake Paul unexpectedly portraying him as coming out as gay swept through TikTok in October 2025.
The highly convincing deepfake videos, generated using OpenAI’s video model Sora, showcased the boxer in various attire, including a LGBTQ+ Pride flag and a tutu, while urging viewers to embrace his alleged sexuality.
A number of TikTok users were deceived by these deepfakes, with comments highlighting the unsettling realism of the AI-generated content, indicating that “AI is frightening.” Jake Paul himself responded to the trend humorously by sharing some of the fabricated clips on his official TikTok as a promotional tactic for his energy drink brand, Celsius.
“AI is spiraling out of control,” he quipped in a sarcastic retort.
Continue reading for further details on Paul’s commentary and insights regarding the deepfake phenomenon.
What Are the Notorious Jake Paul Deepfake Videos?
Jake Paul is not the first celebrity to fall victim to deepfake technology. Notable figures like Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Hanks, and YouTuber MrBeast have all alerted fans about unauthorized deepfake videos made in their likeness to promote fraudulent products.
In this instance, Paul’s deepfakes were not directly intended to deceive for scams but rather utilized the text-to-video tool Sora to fabricate fabricated footage of him coming out as gay.
In one particularly realistic deepfake, a digital version of Paul declares, “I have an announcement in 3-2-1… I’m gay. I hope you’ll support me,” a video that garnered over 1.5 million likes on TikTok.
Another clip features the AI-generated Paul sporting shimmering makeup and a Pride flag as he passionately advocates for the LGBTQ+ community.
“I’ve borne a heavy burden, but I feel lighter than ever,” the AI simulating Paul confesses. “I’m coming clean. I’m gay! It took me some time to admit that.”
Jake Paul in September 2025. Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images
In other deepfake videos, Paul was depicted showcasing his “adorable pink blouse and a white skirt,” and celebrating his look with a makeup palette.
The deepfake trend appeared to be targeting Paul due to his past comments perceived as transphobic. In a 2023 live discussion with controversial figures Sneako and Adin Ross, Paul stated, “there are only three genders: male, female, and mentally ill.”
Numerous TikTok users expressed confusion about the deepfakes, with one remarking: “Bro, how is this AI? I’m baffled.”
A TikTok user conveyed concern, stating: “This is genuinely alarming,” while another user commented: “AI is among the most perilous tools we have today.”
Paul has utilized deepfakes in his own content prior, including sharing an AI-produced clip of himself kissing rival Gervonta Davis as part of the promotion for their boxing match in November 2025.
What Is Sora AI?
The majority of the deepfake videos featuring Paul included branding from Sora on camera. This text-to-video AI was launched by OpenAI for ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Pro users in December 2024, enabling users to generate short videos from textual prompts. With the Sora app’s debut in October, users only need to enter a brief text, and the AI model can produce a highly realistic video representation.
Sora has faced extensive criticism within the entertainment industry regarding intellectual property infringement, leading OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to announce in October 2025 that upcoming versions of the model will “provide rightsholders with enhanced control over character generation.” Meanwhile, Charles Rivkin, chairman of the Motion Picture Association, voiced concerns to Deadline in October 2025, asserting that Sora had already produced numerous “videos that infringe upon the rights of our members’ films, shows, and characters, circulating widely on OpenAI’s service and social media.”
“While OpenAI has clarified plans to provide rightsholders with more control over character creation, they must recognize that preventing infractions on the Sora 2 service is ultimately their responsibility, not the liability of rightsholders,” Rivkin advocated. “OpenAI must take swift and definitive measures to tackle this issue. Established copyright laws are in place to protect creators’ rights and apply to this situation.”
Jake Paul’s Reaction to the Deepfake Fiasco
The boxer appeared to take the viral deepfake trend lightly as he reposted multiple of the fake videos through his TikTok account in October 2025.
In a clever mashup, Paul juxtaposed a deepfake with authentic footage of him stating, “This AI is becoming absurd. Honestly, it’s not even amusing.”
During the clip, viewers witnessed Paul being handed a can of his Celsius energy drink as he mimicked the style presented in the deepfakes. His fiancée, Jutta Leerdam, on the other hand, did not find the trend funny.
Jutta Leerdam and Jake Paul in March 2025. Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
“You don’t like it?” Paul asked Leerdam in another TikTok clip, to which the Olympic speed skater responded, “I don’t like it; it’s not amusing! People are believing it!”
She further addressed one of the deepfake videos with a simple response: “HELP.”
Despite the rumors, Paul has never officially come out as gay. He had previously live-streamed a mock wedding to fellow YouTuber Tana Mongeau in July 2019; however, the ceremony lacked legal validity in Nevada due to the absence of a marriage license. The couple ultimately split in 2020.
In March 2025, Paul and Leerdam announced their engagement after connecting through Instagram two years prior.
“We’re engaged! ❤️💍✨ We can’t wait to spend forever together,” they revealed in a joint Instagram update.
