Maria Obama Accused of Copying Indie Film Director’s Work
Maria Obama, the daughter of former US Presidents Barack and Michelle Obama, is facing claims of copying from an independent filmmaker in her debut Nike advertisement. Natalie Jasmine Harris, a 27-year-old director, alleges that a scene featuring two young Black girls playing “Pat-a-Cake” in the ad bears a striking resemblance to her short film titled “Great“, which premiered at Sundance 2024.
Harris has shared side-by-side comparisons on social media, pointing out notable similarities in camera angles, framing, and color palettes between her work and Obama’s commercial. She expressed her frustration, stating she felt “striking hard” upon viewing the ad, given the care and love put into her short film.
“I’ve spent time crafting my Sundance short film ‘Grace’ (beautifully shot by Tegila de Castro) with deep affection,” she added. In her posts, she voiced disappointment about how when art intersects, it can feel especially painful when the heart and effort behind the work go unnoticed.
“Art often overlaps, but moments like this are tough when you’ve put so much into telling your story. If a brand seeks a particular aesthetic, it makes more sense to hire from genuine sources rather than relying on fame,” she said, addressing Nike in her critique.
Reactions online have been mixed; while some users noted that the similarities between the two works are striking, others came to Maria Obama’s defense, suggesting that the overlap might be coincidental or that the theme itself isn’t unique. One social media user remarked, “I’ve seen both; it’s not a copy.” Another countered with skepticism, asking if the playing of patty cakes was an original concept.
Another commenter insisted that this seemed like blatant plagiarism, given that both Harris and Obama had submissions at the previous year’s Sundance Festival. Harris’s film “Great” was showcased there, while Maria Obama made her red carpet appearance, opting to go by just the name “Maria” to sidestep accusations of nepotism.
