Malia Obama is facing allegations of plagiarism by an indie filmmaker regarding her recent Nike commercial, which marks her debut as a director.
Natalie Jasmine Harris, 27, claims that a particular scene in Obama’s one-minute spot resembles her short film “Grace,” released in 2024.
The scene highlights two young Black girls engaged in a game of Pat-a-cake.
Harris, who met Obama at the Sundance Festival where “Grace” was being showcased, expressed her disappointment upon seeing the Nike ad. “It’s not just about the game. It’s about the cinematic techniques used to depict it,” she told Business Insider.
She noted numerous technical similarities such as camera angles, shots, and color schemes.
“Art often intersects, but it stings when you pour your heart into a project and receive little recognition,” she shared on X.
“It’s heartbreaking,” she added in reference to her side-by-side comparison of the two projects.
Despite her frustration, Harris clarified that her issue isn’t directly with Obama but rather with the industry itself.
“This highlights a larger problem where brands overlook independent artists, opting instead for names already recognized, which doesn’t necessarily lead to original filmmaking,” Harris said.
The two women connected during their time at the Sundance Film Festival, where Harris’s 14-minute film was being presented alongside Obama’s red carpet appearance.
Neither Nike nor Obama has responded to requests for comment.
