Allegations of Copying in Nike Commercial Involving Malia Obama

Malia Obama has come under fire for allegedly using elements from an independent film in a Nike commercial she directed. The film, titled Blessing, debuted in 2024, and its creator, Natalie Jasmine Harris, has expressed her shock at the similarities.

Harris noted that a particular scene in Obama’s commercial, featuring two girls playing Pat Cake, closely resembles a scene from her own film. “It’s not just about the game; it’s more about the film techniques used to present it,” she remarked in an interview.

She highlighted how the framing and camera angles in Obama’s commercial seem to echo those in her work. “Art often overlaps, but instances like this make it challenging for lesser-known artists to receive the recognition they deserve,” she mentioned in a social media post on May 5th. Harris suggested that brands aiming for a specific aesthetic should consider collaborating with the original creators for authenticity.

She expressed that it was “devastating” to feel that her work was blatantly copied. Harris also criticized Nike for selecting Malia Obama based on her name rather than her skills, implying that this undermines emerging talent. “This reflects a broader issue where brands overlook independent artists in favor of established names, which stifles innovative storytelling,” she added.

Interestingly, Harris had met Malia Obama at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, where Blessing was showcased.