An independent filmmaker has leveled accusations against Malia Obama, alleging that the former first daughter appropriated her creative work in a recent Nike advertisement.
Director Natalie Jasmine Harris contends that Obama borrowed a scene from her short film "Grace," specifically one where characters engage in a game of "pat-a-cake," for a Nike commercial featuring WNBA star A'ja Wilson. Harris asserts that Obama replicated the "cinematic tools" she employed to capture the childhood game.
"Initially, I was disappointed and hurt not just for myself but for my entire team," Harris expressed to Business Insider.
Obama's Nike commercial, titled "Teaching the Pro," showcases a young girl instructing Las Vegas Aces Center Aja Wilson in the intricate choreography of a personalized "pat-a-cake" game, with Wilson initially struggling to keep pace. According to Harris, the advertisement's camera angles, shots, framing, and even its color palette bear a striking resemblance to a scene from "Grace," which she describes as a "Black Southern Gothic short about a girl who's being baptized and questioning her feelings for her best friend."
As reported by Fox News, Harris questioned why she wasn't approached to direct the commercial if the creative team desired shots akin to her own. "If they wanted these shots that were similar to my shots, why not hire me to direct?" she queried Business Insider.
Harris recounted meeting Obama at a directors' brunch and other events during Sundance 2024, where their respective short films, "Grace" and "The Heart," were in competition. Professionally known as Malia Ann, Obama also contributed as a writer to the Amazon Prime series "Swarm."
Harris's grievances extend beyond her personal experience, highlighting a broader issue within the industry: the reluctance of major brands to invest in emerging filmmakers. She argues that this hesitance stifles innovation and original storytelling. "The route that used to work for the Spike Lees and Steven Spielbergs of the world feels less viable today. If we're continuously overlooked, how is the next generation of filmmakers going to exist?" Harris remarked to Business Insider.
Despite having secured commercial work with companies like Verizon and Hyundai, and having her student film "Pure" acquired by HBO, Harris describes the independent filmmaking landscape as a "struggle," relying on freelance projects to sustain her financially. She has yet to receive any response from Obama or Nike since voicing her concerns about the alleged similarities.
The filmmaker admitted to initial reluctance in addressing the issue, apprehensive about challenging a president's daughter and a powerful corporation. Nonetheless, she felt compelled to confront what she perceives as a significant problem within her field. "I've poured too much into my work to just sit by and watch," she declared.
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