Obamas accused of stealing for woke production in new family crisis
Share this @internewscast.com

An independent filmmaker, whose film debuted at Sundance, claims that a new Nike ad directed by 26-year-old Malia Obama bears a “shockingly similar” resemblance to her creation. 

Filmmaker Natalie Jasmine Harris, 27, compared scenes from her movie, Grace, to Malia’s Nike commercial featuring A’ja Wilson, both showing black girls playing pat-a-cake on a stoop. 

“I’ve been contemplating this for a while. My Sundance short film Grace, beautifully shot by Tehillah de Castro, was created with immense love and dedication,” Natalie expressed in her caption. 

‘The social cut of the new @Nike commercial directed by Malia Obama (who was also at Sundance my year) feels shockingly similar to my work…’

Natalie went on to say that even though art often overlaps, ‘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?’

Her post quickly went viral, with many sounding off on whether the comparisons were justified or if it was just a coincidence. 

‘I watched both. Not a copy,’ one comment read. 

Malia Obama, 26, was accused of copying the cinematography of an independent filmmaker's short film

Malia Obama, 26, was accused of copying the cinematography of an independent filmmaker’s short film 

Natalie Jasmine Harris, 27, premiered her short film, Grace, at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024

Natalie Jasmine Harris, 27, premiered her short film, Grace, at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024

Grace features two characters playing pat-a-cake on a stoop

A similar scene is also shown in Malia's Nike commercial featuring A'ja Wilson

Natalie said that scenes from Malia’s Nike commercial were ‘shockingly similar’ to her short film

‘You’re reaching… so black girls playing patty cake is an original image you created?’ another agreed. 

However, others agreed that the ad looked plagiarized, with one writing, ‘You definitely need to sue, this is blatant plagiarism, and you know she saw your short film, you two were competing in 2024! Don’t let this go unpunished.’ 

‘That was stolen. Sorry that happened to you,’ another agreed.

Natalie also wrote about the situation in a recent essay featured in Business Insider, where she opened up about the shocking moment when she saw the ad. 

‘At first, I was confused, wondering whether it was real,’ Natalie said. 

‘Initially, I was disappointed and hurt — not just for myself but for my entire team. I sent the commercial to friends who had the same reaction I did,’ she continued. 

Natalie acknowledged that the game wasn’t her invention and said she understood it’s a popular playground activity. 

However, she noted that the similarities go beyond the stills and extend to the cinematography tools used in both her film and Malia’s commercial. 

The Nike commercial directed by Malia Obama featured A'ja Wilson learning how to play pat-a-cake on a front stoop with a little girl

The Nike commercial directed by Malia Obama featured A’ja Wilson learning how to play pat-a-cake on a front stoop with a little girl 

A similar scene is depicted in the Nike ad. Natalie said the commercial resembles her film's composition, color palette, and camera angles

A similar scene is depicted in the Nike ad. Natalie said the commercial resembles her film’s composition, color palette, and camera angles 

Natalie's film, Grace, depicted a young black girl grappling with her sexuality and religion

Natalie’s film, Grace, depicted a young black girl grappling with her sexuality and religion

Natalie argued that the camera angles, framing composition, and color palette eerily resembled that of Grace. 

She even revealed that she crossed paths with Malia at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024, where Grace and Malia’s film, The Heart, premiered. Natalie added that she saw Malia at the director’s brunch. 

‘Over time, I’ve moved through that initial shock into a deeper frustration around how instances like this are very common — and need to change,’ Natalie said. 

She went on to say that her situation demonstrates a larger issue of brands overlooking independent artists to work with people who already have name recognition. 

Natalie is an up-and-coming director whose film, Grace, depicted a young black girl coming to terms with her sexuality and her religion in the south. 

Natalie's film premiered at the same festival as Malia's short film, The Heart. She argued that Malia's commercial mirrored her film, Grace (pictured)

Natalie’s film premiered at the same festival as Malia’s short film, The Heart. She argued that Malia’s commercial mirrored her film, Grace (pictured) 

Natalie acknowledged that she doesn't own the playground game, but argued that the situation points to a larger issue of independent directors getting overlooked

Natalie acknowledged that she doesn’t own the playground game, but argued that the situation points to a larger issue of independent directors getting overlooked 

Malia is the oldest daughter of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. She's a Harvard graduate and filmmaker

Malia is the oldest daughter of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. She’s a Harvard graduate and filmmaker 

She graduated from New York University in 2020, and her thesis film was bought by HBO. 

‘Sometimes it can feel like filmmaking is something that’s supposed to be a hobby for the wealthy rather than something that can actually be a career,’ Natalie wrote. 

Meanwhile, following her tenure as the First Daughter growing up in the White House, Malia attended Harvard University and was honored with the Thomas Temple Hoopes Prize winner for excellence in art. 

Malia or Nike has publicly addressed the accusations of plagiarism. Nike didn’t immediately respond to DailyMail.com for comment. 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

88-Year-Old Congresswoman Falls Victim to Home Robbery by Impostor Cleaning Team

An 88-year-old Democrat serving in Congress fell victim to a scam in…

Authorities Intensify Search for Suspected Migrant in Connection with Sexual Assault in the Capital

The search is intensifying for an asylum seeker and convicted sex offender…

Channel Tragedy: Migrant Convicted in Shocking Murder of Asylum Hotel Worker

An asylum seeker who arrived in the UK by boat has been…

The Louvre, Scene of £76 Million Heist, Sparks Debate on France’s Cultural Challenges

Amid the grandeur of the Louvre’s first floor, with its marble pillars,…

Joe Jonas Seen in Close Company with Unidentified Brunette

Joe Jonas was spotted socializing with an unidentified brunette at a private…

Rekindling Romance: Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly’s Dramatic Reunion After Split

After weathering a turbulent breakup, Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly appear…

Cheryl Hines Speaks Out on RFK Jr’s Texting Controversy, Calls It ‘Chaos

Cheryl Hines has stepped forward to defend her husband, Robert F. Kennedy…

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Throws Support Behind Zohran Mamdani for NYC Mayor: A Game-Changing Endorsement

Representative Hakeem Jeffries has officially thrown his support behind Zohran Mamdani in…

Former Lostprophets Singer Ian Watkins Dies Following Stabbing Incident

Ian Watkins, the former lead singer of the British rock band Lostprophets,…

Alarming Surge: Mistaken Prison Releases Skyrocket Over 100% in Just One Year

In an alarming development, the number of prisoners mistakenly released has more…

Urgent Manhunt Launched for Mistakenly Released Hotel Migrant Sex Offender

An intensive police search is currently in progress following the inadvertent release…

Fans React to ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Star’s Surprising Reunion Photo

Devotees of “Malcolm in the Middle” were sent into a frenzy of…