AI-Animated Music Video Sparks Latino Voter Debate in Los Angeles Mayoral Race

A politically charged AI-animated music video released on social media Friday has ignited controversy in the Los Angeles mayoral race, highlighting ongoing efforts by candidates to win over Latino voters as the November election approaches. The video, created by a group identifying as Latinos Por Pratt, features former reality television personality Spencer Pratt and targets incumbent Mayor Karen Bass with satirical imagery and lyrics.

The animation opens with a depiction of Pratt, wearing sunglasses and pushing a trash bin labeled with Bass's name, set against the backdrop of the Hollywood sign. The Spanish-language title, “Spencer, Saca La Bassura,” plays on the Spanish word for trash (“basura”) and the mayor’s last name. The video's scenes mock Bass for her previous trip to Ghana and include clips of Pratt with his wife, Heidi Montag, at what appears to be a street rally, with both U.S. and Mexican flags visible. Despite aiming for an appeal to Latino voters, the music’s salsa style and Cuban Spanish phrasing have drawn criticism for lacking authenticity with L.A.’s predominantly Mexican and Central American Latino communities.

In response to the viral music video, a rival group named Latinos Con Bass organized a weekend rally at Plaza de la Raza in Lincoln Heights, featuring endorsements from State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, immigrant rights leader Angélica Salas, and SEIU California President David Huerta, among others. Mayor Bass greeted supporters with the rallying cry “¡Sí se puede!” and emphasized her longstanding ties to Latino Angelenos. The campaign’s efforts come amid polling data from UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies showing Bass is viewed unfavorably by 56% of likely voters, and that Latino support remains divided—29% favor Bass, 16% support Pratt, and 27% are undecided.

The music video's creator, Adrian E. Alvarez, is a Cuban American based partly in Miami and Los Angeles. Alvarez did not respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, Pratt, a registered Republican with past statements favoring cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, faces challenges in appealing broadly to L.A.’s Latino electorate, according to recent polling data.

With multiple campaigns escalating their outreach to this key voting bloc, the mayoral race remains highly competitive as candidates seek to define their connections to Latino voters ahead of the election. Both the authenticity and effectiveness of these efforts are likely to remain central topics as the race continues.