Who are Alec and Kaleb?
You may have been touched by Alec Cabacungan and Kaleb-Wolf De Melo Torres’s cute and emotional performances in Shriners Hospitals for Children commercials. These two lads are now the unofficial faces of the hospital’s national awareness efforts. They aren’t actors performing roles; they’re actual patients telling their true tales to the globe.
Alec and Kaleb aren’t famous in the usual way, but they’ve become famous in a way that’s based on kindness, strength, and honesty. They have talked openly about their medical adventures and the life-changing help they had at Shriners to millions of people. But this enormous visibility has also made a lot of people wonder: do Alec and Kaleb get paid to be in commercials?
Let’s look at the world behind the camera and learn not only if they are paid, but also what their responsibilities really mean.
The Heart of the Message: Real Kids, Real Stories
One reason Alec and Kaleb stand out in the Shriners advertising is that they aren’t actors reading lines from a script. They are patients who have been through what they are talking about.
For more than ten years, Alec, who has brittle bone disease (osteogenesis imperfecta), has been in ads for Shriners. He was the first of the two to become famous across the country because of his big smile, natural charm, and positive attitude. Kaleb, who was also born with osteogenesis imperfecta, followed in Alec’s footsteps and quickly became a fan favourite with his cheeky charisma and contagious laugh.
These youngsters are not simply spokespeople when they appeal for money on TV; they are also being honest. That’s why people connect with them so strongly. It’s not just marketing; it’s speaking out. And that makes their jobs even more important.
Do Alec and Kaleb Get Paid to Be in Commercials?
The quick answer is Yes, they do, but not all the time. But it’s not as easy as it seems. Alec and Kaleb’s status is different from that of actors hired for commercials, who get a set fee and residuals. They are both real patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children and are now advocates for the hospital. Their involvement is a mix of real testimonials and advertising.
We don’t know the actual numbers, but industry norms give us a good idea of what they probably get:
Session Fees: Even nonprofit campaigns often pay people for their time and work when they film a commercial. This might cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars for each day of filming.
Residuals or Stipends: Depending on the contract and the company, showing the same ad again and over may not necessarily lead to residual payments like they do in regular advertising. But for continuous campaigns and a lot of media coverage (like Shriners’ advertisements), Alec and Kaleb probably get stipends or bonuses for staying involved and getting a lot of exposure.
Representation and Sponsorships: It’s probable that both guys have had representation or advocacy deals over the years to make sure they get paid appropriately for their looks, voice, and influence.
It’s important to note that money is probably a component of the deal, but it’s not the major reason either of them does these advertisements.
A Purpose Beyond Money
Alec and Kaleb talk a lot in interviews and special features about how much they love being part of the Shriners family. Alec, who is in his early twenties and wants to be a sports journalist, has made it obvious that he wants to give back.
Alec has said in several interviews how thankful he is to Shriners Hospitals for not only treating him medically, but also for giving him a platform. Alec cares more about making a difference than making money as a spokesperson. He remarked, “I want to inspire others who might be going through hard times.”
Kaleb, who is younger and has only lately become known to the public, feels the same way. He is proud of the care he has received and the chance to help others like him by speaking his experience.
Yes, they probably get paid, but it’s not about celebrity or money. It’s about having a goal.
What Nonprofit Advertising Is
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a charity. That makes this conversation even more complicated.
When patients or beneficiaries are shown in nonprofit ads, considerations about ethics, such as how much to pay them, whether they gave their approval, and how to depict them, are treated very seriously. Organisations have to find a careful balance. They want to elevate actual voices, but they also have to protect those voices and make sure they aren’t used for profit.
It’s reasonable to think that Alec and Kaleb (and their families) talked about how their pictures and tales would be used and that they were paid in a way that is fair and in line with the nonprofit’s principles. It’s also important to remember that the trust and respect Shriners has built up over the years would probably be hurt if these guys were being taken advantage of.
Other Types of Help
Alec and Kaleb get additional helpful sources of support besides direct payment:
Ongoing Medical Care: As patients, they get specialised care for free, which is one of the main goals of Shriners Hospitals.
Alec’s work as an advocate has helped him get into sports journalism by giving him more visibility and confidence. Shriners often helps their ambassadors learn how to speak in public, get media attention, and make contacts in the community.
Being a member of the Shriners family means having a built-in support system. Alec and Kaleb aren’t just famous faces; they’re also well-known members of the community. That feeling of being part of something is priceless.
The Strength of Representation
Seeing youngsters like Alec and Kaleb on national TV has an effect that goes far beyond the ads themselves. Visibility is important for kids with impairments, long-term diseases, or unusual medical issues.
Alec and Kaleb show what can be done. They change what it is to be strong and brave. They’ve turned their own problems into words of optimism. And for millions of people watching, especially kids who might feel alone in their own health problems, that representation is life-changing.
A Legacy That Will Last
Alec and Kaleb are doing something far broader than just advertising, whether they’re begging for money or just smiling at the camera. They’re leaving a legacy. A lot of people now think of them as the faces of kindness, healing, and strength. Their experiences have helped Shriners Hospitals garner not only money but also trust.
From a business point of view, their presence in ads have probably brought in millions of dollars in donations. But from a human point of view, they have made a lasting emotional connection with the viewer that no scripted ad could ever do.
Conclusion:
So, returning to the question: do Alec and Kaleb get paid to be in commercials? Most certainly, yes; they get paid in some way. But the overall picture is much more important than that.
Their engagement comes from the heart. It’s about telling true stories that make people want to do something. It’s about using your own problems to help other people. And even though they could get paid, it’s evident that money isn’t their main goal.
They do it to help youngsters. To help a hospital that altered their lives. To give someone who might need it the most hope. In that way, they are not just spokespeople; they are heroes.