US EditionMalia Obama's Nike Commercial Faces 'Troubling' Accusation
- Malia Obama directed a Nike commercial released in May 2025 featuring WNBA star A'ja Wilson promoting her new signature shoe.
- The commercial sparked accusations from filmmaker Natalie Jasmine Harris, who claims the ad closely resembles her 2024 Sundance short film Grace.
- Harris, a 26-year-old emerging filmmaker, shared side-by-side comparisons on social media and described the situation as disheartening and disappointing.
- Harris acknowledged that artistic ideas often intersect but expressed how deeply disappointing it is when, after investing so much passion and effort into thoughtfully crafting stories, her work goes largely unrecognized.
- The dispute highlights broader industry debates about creative attribution, opportunity, and privilege, with no response yet from Malia Obama or Nike representatives.
16 Articles
16 Articles
'How Frustrating': Malia Obama Accused of Ripping Off Another Director’s Concept in Her Directorial Debut for Nike, Fans Say It's a 'Reach'
Malia Obama’s directorial debut for Nike has stirred backlash in the filmmaking community, with accusations she stole the idea from another rising filmmaker. The former first daughter, who professionally goes by Malia Ann, recently directed two commercials for WNBA star A’ja Wilson’s first signature Nike sneaker line, A’One. However, what should have been a celebrated creative achievement has instead sparked debates about originality, credit, an…
Malia Obama's Nike Ad Is 'Shockingly Similar' to Sundance 2024 Short, Filmmaker Says
Malia Obama and Nike were accused by filmmaker Natalie Jasmine Harris Monday of taking uncredited inspiration from her short film “Grace” for the sports brand’s new Obama-directed campaign ad with A’ja Wilson. The short film — “a dramatic Black Southern Gothic,” per the filmmaker — screened at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, the same year Obama screened her directorial debut, “The Heart.” The portion of “Grace” in question involves two young Bl…
Malia Obama Accused Of Plagiarizing Iconic Nike Ad For A'ja Wilson Signature Shoe
The Nike A’One, the signature shoe created for WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, sold out in under five minutes on Tuesday. While the anticipation for Wilson’s first signature shoe had a lot to do with the demand, so did a recently released ad for the shoe, which was directed by Malia Obama, the daughter of former United States President Barack Obama. But there seems to be an issue. The viral commercial, which was first released on social media, features Wi…
Malia Obama's Nike Commercial Faces 'Troubling' Accusation
Here’s A Look Inside LeBron James’ Los Angeles Mansion (1:14) Malia Obama, the daughter of former U.S. President Barack Obama, is facing a troubling accusation for her Nike ad.The daughter of the former U.S. President directed a new Nike ad for WNBA star A'ja Wilson. The ad was meant to promote the WNBA MVP's new signature shoe. The ad was released on social media by Nike earlier this weekend."Real ones get their own shoe and their own rhyme. 👏…
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