Malia Obama Faces Accusations of Copying Indie Filmmaker in Nike Ad
Malia Obama is making headlines for all the wrong reasons as she faces accusations of copying an indie filmmaker's work in her recently released Nike commercial. This marks the first ad directed by the daughter of former President Barack Obama, and it has stirred up quite a bit of controversy.
The filmmaker in question, Natalie Jasmine Harris, 27, claims that Obama's one-minute commercial features scenes that are "shockingly similar" to her own short film titled "Grace," which is set to release in 2024. The specific scene that has raised eyebrows shows two young Black girls engaged in a game of pat-a-cake.
"It's not about the game," Harris explained in an interview with Business Insider. "It's about the cinematic tools used to depict it." She pointed out that there are numerous technical similarities between the two works, including camera angles, shot composition, and even the color palette.
I know art often overlaps, but moments like this hit hard when you’ve poured your heart into telling stories with care and barely get the recognition you deserve. If brands want a certain look, why not hire from the source instead of for name recognition? @Nike @_ajawilson22 pic.twitter.com/Y57ACZiPRe
— Natalie Jasmine Harris (@nataliejharris) May 6, 2025
Harris expressed her frustration on social media, stating, "I know art often overlaps, but moments like this hit hard when you’ve poured your heart into telling stories with care and barely get the recognition you deserve. If brands want a certain look, why not hire from the source instead of for name recognition?"
In a poignant post, she shared a side-by-side comparison of the shots, emphasizing how "devastating" the situation is for her as an artist.
While Harris clarified that her frustration is not directed at Obama personally, she is disheartened by the industry's tendency to overlook independent artists. "It speaks to a larger issue of brands not supporting independent artists and opting for folks who already have name recognition, which doesn’t breed innovative films or original storytelling," she remarked.
The two filmmakers actually crossed paths at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, where Harris showcased her 14-minute film "Grace." This event also marked Obama's red-carpet debut, as she had previously stated her intention to drop her last name to avoid being labeled a "nepo baby."
As of now, neither Nike nor Malia Obama has responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
