Actress and model Brittoni O’myah Sinclair, one of the protagonists of the advertising campaigns for Nintendo’s new children’s line My Mario, had to intervene publicly to calm the fans. In response to a wave of accusations on social media, she assured, in January 2026, that the campaign photos were not generated by artificial intelligence. The controversy began shortly after Nintendo of America announced the expansion of the line, originally only in Japan, to the United States in February. This case gained relevance as it reflects the growing public distrust and pressure on large companies to be transparent in their use of emerging technologies.
As a result of widespread suspicion, many fans pointed out details in the images, such as a thumb with a shape considered “strange,” as supposed proof of AI use. However, Nintendo had already spoken out denying the use of the technology. Thus, Sinclair’s personal statement, made directly in the comments of an official Instagram post, came to try and end the discussion once and for all. “As one of the models, I can promise you guys this is not AI,” she wrote, in an attempt to bring human credibility to a digital controversy.
The mystery of the thumb finally explained
The lingering question, however, was simple: if it wasn’t AI, what explained the unusual appearance of the thumb in the photo? The answer, thanks to fans who came to the defense of the brand and the model, is simpler and more human than imagined. Sinclair actually has a condition that allows for greater flexibility in the joint, being able to bend her finger in a way that, for most people, seems out of the ordinary. In other words, the “flaw” that many used as proof of the supposed artificial intelligence was just a unique physical characteristic of the model herself, a detail that technology would try to imitate, but which in this case was perfectly real.
This episode makes it clear, therefore, how the perception of AI use is shaping the dialogue between companies and their consumers. Nintendo, like other entertainment giants, now needs to navigate this new terrain with extra care, where any visual anomaly is immediately investigated by the community. Still, the quick response from both the company and a person directly involved in the project shows a way to deal with these crises: transparency and direct communication. Thus, as the My Mario line prepares for its international launch, the lesson on authenticity and trust has already been given, and in a very human way.
