In today’s world of media and advertising, familiar faces in television commercials can spark curiosity, admiration, and questions about the lives behind the screen. One pair that has gained significant attention in recent years is Alec Cabacungan and Kaleb-Wolf De Melo Torres — two charismatic young boys who have become the faces of Shriners Hospitals for Children. Their appearances are heartwarming, informative, and emotionally resonant. Yet, amid the praise and positive response, one question frequently arises: do Alec and Kaleb get paid for commercials?
This article takes a deep dive into that very question. Beyond just a simple yes or no, we’ll explore their backgrounds, roles in the commercials, industry standards for compensation, ethical considerations, and the broader cultural implications of using real patients as spokespeople in national advertisements.
1. Who Are Alec and Kaleb?
Alec Cabacungan
Alec Cabacungan, often simply known as “Alec from Shriners,” was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, a rare genetic condition commonly referred to as brittle bone disease. Despite suffering over 60 bone fractures throughout his life, Alec exudes confidence, determination, and positivity. He became the face of Shriners Hospitals for Children in 2014 and quickly won the hearts of viewers nationwide.
Alec is not just an ambassador — he is a real patient of Shriners. His role in the commercials is to share his story and raise awareness and donations for the hospital. Viewers see him cracking jokes, confidently discussing his medical journey, and appealing to audiences to contribute to the hospital’s mission.
Kaleb-Wolf De Melo Torres
Kaleb, often referred to simply as Kaleb from the commercials, is also a long-time patient at Shriners. He was born with brittle bone disease like Alec and has undergone numerous surgeries. Kaleb’s lively and joyful demeanor has made him another fan favorite.
Together, Alec and Kaleb have become something of a dynamic duo — starring in commercials, appearing in media events, and representing the hospital at a national level.
2. Why People Are Asking: “Do Alec and Kaleb Get Paid for Commercials?”
The popularity of Alec and Kaleb has raised public interest not just in their personal stories, but also in how they’re compensated. When audiences see these two boys on television over and over again, the natural question arises: do Alec and Kaleb get paid for commercials?
The question stems from multiple angles:
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Fairness: If actors or spokespeople are paid for their time and image, should the same apply to Alec and Kaleb?
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Ethics: Are these children being exploited for donations or do they receive fair compensation?
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Transparency: As a nonprofit organization, Shriners is held to high standards of public trust. So how they handle public figures in advertising is crucial.
3. How Compensation in Commercials Typically Works
To understand whether Alec and Kaleb are paid, we first need to look at how advertising compensation typically works.
Standard Models for Commercial Compensation
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Union Commercials: In union-regulated work (like with SAG-AFTRA), actors receive initial payments, residuals (money each time the commercial airs), and usage fees.
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Non-Union Commercials: Payments are generally negotiated on a one-time fee basis.
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Spokesperson Roles: These may include flat-rate agreements, per-appearance fees, or continued engagements based on media appearances.
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Nonprofit Campaigns: Sometimes feature volunteers who receive stipends or nothing at all.
If Shriners operates under a nonprofit model (which it does), they might approach compensation differently — focusing more on coverage of expenses and providing media exposure than paying high commercial rates.
4. What We Know About Alec and Kaleb’s Compensation
Shriners Hospitals has never publicly released information confirming exactly how Alec and Kaleb are compensated. But we can make some educated assumptions based on how similar nonprofits operate and comments from those familiar with the organization.
Non-Monetary Compensation
Many believe that Alec and Kaleb may not be paid in traditional commercial actor terms, but they may receive:
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Travel expenses
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Media training
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Scholarships or educational assistance
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Career development opportunities
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Public platform building
Possibility of Monetary Stipends
It’s also possible that they receive modest stipends, given their frequent appearances and the significant media time they contribute. But there’s no confirmation of whether they receive ongoing royalties or commercial-scale compensation.
The phrase “do Alec and Kaleb get paid for commercials” continues to echo across social media, forums, and blogs, but due to the nonprofit nature of the organization, transparency about such financials may be limited by privacy policies.
5. Ethical Considerations
A Fine Line Between Representation and Exploitation
Using real children with medical conditions in commercials is a delicate matter. On one hand, it puts real, compelling stories in front of viewers and drives support for life-saving services. On the other hand, it risks accusations of emotional manipulation or exploitation.
Are Alec and Kaleb Volunteers or Paid Ambassadors?
If Alec and Kaleb are volunteering their time and stories purely out of gratitude and a desire to help others, that’s commendable. But if they are being used for heavy national marketing campaigns, there is a case to be made for adequate compensation — particularly as they grow older and more media-savvy.
6. Industry Expert Opinions
Many experts in media ethics and nonprofit governance suggest that such campaigns should provide compensation that reflects the value the spokespeople provide.
“If someone is the face of a national campaign and appears in dozens of broadcast ads, there’s a strong ethical case for fair compensation — especially if that person is underage and disabled.”
— Dr. Karen Wilcox, Professor of Media Ethics, University of Pennsylvania
So again, the question resurfaces: do Alec and Kaleb get paid for commercials? If they are providing significant value to the campaign and influencing millions of dollars in donations, compensation — even symbolic — seems both appropriate and necessary.
7. Alec and Kaleb’s Broader Impact
Regardless of their compensation status, there’s no denying that Alec and Kaleb have become major public figures. Their presence has led to:
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Increased awareness of osteogenesis imperfecta
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Millions in donations to Shriners Hospitals
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Greater representation of disabled individuals in media
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Educational content on medical resilience for families across the nation
Whether they’re receiving money or not, their efforts are priceless in a social sense.
8. Public Response and Internet Speculation
Social media has been abuzz with questions. A quick Google search of the phrase “do Alec and Kaleb get paid for commercials” yields thousands of hits, indicating strong public curiosity.
Some of the common speculations include:
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“They must be getting paid. They’re on every channel!”
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“They’re just volunteers from the hospital — no way they’re making money.”
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“It would be unethical not to pay them something for their time and image.”
No definitive answer exists, but the consensus is building toward the expectation of fair treatment.
9. Final Thoughts and Reflection
After analyzing the media environment, ethical implications, industry standards, and public response, here’s what we can reasonably conclude:
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They Likely Receive Some Form of Compensation — Though it may not be commercial-scale paychecks, Alec and Kaleb are likely compensated in various forms.
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They Are Voluntary Spokespersons with Purpose — Their motivation seems rooted in a desire to help others, not personal profit.
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The Question of Payment Is Valid and Important — The question “do Alec and Kaleb get paid for commercials” is more than idle curiosity. It reflects concerns about transparency, ethics, and fairness in the world of nonprofit advertising.
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are Alec and Kaleb actors?
A: No. They are real patients of Shriners Hospitals who have chosen to share their stories in public service announcements and fundraising commercials.
Q: How often do their commercials air?
A: Depending on the region, Alec and Kaleb’s commercials may air dozens or hundreds of times each week on national and local television.
Q: Have Alec or Kaleb spoken publicly about being paid?
A: No public statements from Alec or Kaleb have addressed this directly. They focus their interviews on advocacy, awareness, and personal stories.
Q: Does Shriners Hospitals disclose financials?
A: Shriners Hospitals for Children is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Their annual financial reports are available publicly, but individual compensation for spokespersons is not detailed.
Conclusion: Do Alec and Kaleb Get Paid for Commercials?
So, do Alec and Kaleb get paid for commercials? The answer is likely yes — but probably not in the traditional way commercial actors are paid. Their compensation may include travel, education, exposure, and perhaps stipends rather than major residuals or salaries. What is clear, though, is that their presence in these commercials is impactful, intentional, and deeply appreciated by Shriners Hospitals and the public alike.
In the end, their greatest reward may not be monetary — but the ability to inspire, influence, and change lives. And perhaps, just perhaps, that’s worth more than a paycheck. See More