Filmmaker Accuses Malia Obama of Plagiarism

An independent filmmaker, Natalie Jasmine Harris, has accused Malia Obama of plagiarizing her work in a recent Nike advertisement. Harris claims that the Nike commercial features a scene similar to her short film, “Grace,” which includes two characters performing “Pat-a-cake.” The ad, which stars WNBA star A’ja Wilson, prompted Harris to express her disappointment, stating her feelings of hurt for both herself and her entire team.

Harris described her film as a “black Southern Gothic short about a baptized girl having feelings for her best friend” and emphasized that the camera angles, framing, and even the color palette in the Nike ad closely mirrored elements from “Grace.” She questioned why, if they wanted to replicate her shots, they didn’t consult her for help.

In a discussion with Business Insider, Harris recalled meeting Obama at various events, including a director’s brunch at Sundance in 2024. While Malia Biden—under the name Malia Ann—has garnered credit for her performance in the Amazon Prime series “Swarm,” Harris feels frustrated that major brands often overlook emerging filmmakers, potentially stifling innovative storytelling.

She reflected on the struggle of independent filmmaking, highlighting her past successes but acknowledging the challenges that make it difficult to thrive in the industry. This situation, she says, is just one example of how hard it can be for new voices to break through, particularly when major brands don’t seem willing to take risks on them.

Despite reaching out for comments, there has been no response from Obama, Nike, or Harris regarding the ongoing situation. As Harris continues to navigate this issue, she feels compelled to stand firm on what she perceives as a significant problem within her field.