Malia Obama accused of copying filmmaker for Nike commercial

Malia Obama is currently facing accusations of plagiarism from indie filmmaker Natalie Jasmine Harris. Harris claims that Obama’s recent Nike commercial, which she directed, bears striking similarities to Harris’ own 2024 short film, “Grace.” The specific scene in question involves two young Black girls playing pat-a-cake.

According to Harris, the resemblance between the two works extends beyond just the content of the scene. She points out that there are technical similarities in terms of camera angles, shots, framing composition, and color palette. Harris expressed her disappointment in not receiving the recognition she feels she deserves for her original storytelling.

In a post on X, Harris shared her frustration, stating that the incident highlights a larger issue within the industry. She believes that brands often overlook independent artists in favor of individuals with name recognition, which hinders the creation of innovative and original films.

Despite the accusations, Harris made it clear that her disappointment lies more with the industry as a whole rather than with Obama personally. The two filmmakers actually met at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, where they both had films in competition. This encounter occurred during Obama’s red-carpet debut, where she decided to drop her last name to avoid being labeled as a nepo baby.

Neither Nike nor Obama has responded to requests for comment on the matter. The controversy has sparked a discussion about the importance of supporting independent artists and promoting original storytelling in the film industry. It remains to be seen how this situation will be resolved and what impact it will have on the future collaboration between established names and up-and-coming talents in the industry.