Malia Obama’s first Nike ad under fire for alleged plagiarism as critics say it's shockingly similar to Indie filmmaker’s original work

Former First Daughter Malia Obama's first project for Nike was meant to highlight fresh creative talent. It has instead ignited a plagiarism controversy.

Indie filmmaker Natalie Jasmine Harris claims that Obama's Nike commercial uses primary imagery from her Sundance-screened short Grace, questioning credit, originality, and the hiring practices of big brands.

The former president's daughter, Malia Obama, was charged with stealing an independent filmmaker's work for a Nike ad, which was released earlier this month, as per a report by The NY Post.


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Which scenes look similar?

Natalie Jasmine Harris claimed that parts of Obama's one-minute ad were 'shockingly similar' to her own 2024 short film.

The scene involves two young Black girls playing a game called pat-a-cake. According to Harris, there were many technical parallels between the shots, framing composition, colour scheme, and camera angles, as per a report by The NY Post.

What did Natalie Jasmine Harris say about the shocking similarity?

Natalie Jasmine Harris told Business Insider, "It's not about the game." It has to do with the cinematic techniques employed to portray it. She expressed that it was devastating, alongside a side-by-side comparison of the images.

“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?" she wrote on X.

What does this say about “nepo” culture in film?

Harris claims that her frustration is with the industry rather than Malia Obama personally. She blamed industry favouritism for ignoring independent creators in favour of well-known names.

She stated that it highlights a broader problem of brands choosing people with established names over independent artists, which doesn't lead to creative films or unique narratives.

Following the former first daughter's declaration that she would drop her last name in order to avoid being branded a nepo baby, the two met at last year's Sundance Film Festival when Harris screened the 14-minute "Grace."

FAQs

What does Natalie Jasmine Harris say was copied?
She compares a pat-a-cake scene to her short film Grace, citing similar shot composition, camera movement, and colour tones.

Is Malia Obama or Nike facing legal action?
So far, Natalie Jasmine Harris hasn't filed a lawsuit; she blames her frustration on industry gatekeepers who prioritise celebrity over originality.