Outrage as filmmaker says Malia Obama-directed Nike ad 'uncomfortably similar' to her Sundance film

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA: Malia Obama just stepped into the director’s chair for Nike, but not everyone is applauding.

The 25-year-old daughter of former President Barack Obama is catching heat after a filmmaker called out her latest project — a Nike ad for WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson — for being a little too familiar.

The new commercial directed by Malia was unveiled on social media this past weekend to promote Wilson’s brand-new signature shoe.

The spot features a sweet moment where a young girl sits on a stoop teaching Wilson the classic clapping game “Miss Mary Mack," TMZ reported.

Nike dropped the ad with the caption, "Real ones get their own shoe and their own rhyme. 👏The A’One drops May 6 in SNKRS."

Sundance filmmaker says Malia Obama’s ad looks a lot like her movie

Natalie Jasmine Harris, a 26-year-old director who premiered her short film 'Grace' at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, is accusing Malia of stepping a little too close to her creative turf. Harris says the imagery in Obama’s Nike commercial is “shockingly similar” to a key scene from her film.

In Malia’s version, the stoop scene with the hand game plays out as a nostalgic nod to girlhood. But Harris says her own film featured two of the characters playing a similar game while sitting on a small staircase leading to a home’s front door.

According to her, this isn’t just a random coincidence. Harris pointed out that she and Obama actually crossed paths during the 2024 Sundance event in Utah, making the overlap feel even more personal.

Harris shared on X, “Been sitting with this for a while. My Sundance short film GRACE (shot brilliantly by Tehillah de Castro) was made with deep love and care. 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…”

Harris questioned why Nike would go with someone like Malia, suggesting that the Obama name may have helped open doors.

“I know art often overlaps, but moments like this hit hard when you’ve poured your heart into telling stories with care and barely get the recognition you deserve,” she continued. “If brands want a certain look, why not hire from the source instead of for name recognition?”

The young filmmaker said the situation left her deeply disheartened.

“I'm constantly posting about how difficult it is to be an emerging filmmaker right now and sustain myself without benefitting from family connections, generational wealth, or nepotism,” Harris lamented, adding, “And then to see this just really gives me even less hope that this industry wants me to be here.”

Internet divided over similarity between Malia Obama's Nike ad and Sundance short movie

Social media had a lot to say about the confusion, and opinions were seriously divided. Some users fully backed Harris and felt the similarities were way too on-the-nose to ignore.

“I see the similarities too how frustrating,” one user wrote on X.

“Glad you spoke up about this! Going to be on the lookout for how they choose to respond, the similarities are vivid,” another chimed in.

One fan empathized with Harris, “This is obviously the worst feeling so i’m hoping you feel supported in standing up for your work.”

Another took aim at the former first daughter’s privileges. “Yeah, definitely a rip off of your work, but your dad wasn’t President so you’ll be attacked for defending your work against someone shamelessly ripping it off," they fumed.

“So similar. Please let us know how we can see your film and support your work,” another wrote.

But not everyone was buying the accusations. Some critics felt Harris was overreacting and that both she and Malia were inspired by common Black cultural visuals.

“Both of you are using iconic imagery that came before you. Stop bringing another black woman down to further your own publicity. Gross,” one person snapped.

“I watched your film, and it was amazing, but respectfully, one could say that certain scenes of your film were eerily similar to scenes from The Color Purple or Daughters of the Dust. My point is don’t give air to a victim mindset. Your amazing work speaks for itself," another added.

“Sorry this happened. You both seemed to have been inspired by the documentary Black Girls Play: The Story of Hand Games from 2023," yet another suggested.

So far, both Nike and Malia Obama have stayed silent on the accusations.

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