Overview

• Indie filmmaker Natalie Jasmine Harris alleges Malia Obama's Nike ad closely resembles her 2024 Sundance short film, 'Grace.'
• Harris highlights similarities in cinematography, including framing, camera angles, and color palette, particularly in a scene featuring young Black girls playing pat-a-cake.
• Harris and Obama met at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where their respective films were in competition.
• Harris argues the situation reflects a broader issue of brands prioritizing celebrity recognition over supporting independent creators.
• Neither Nike nor Malia Obama has publicly responded to the allegations, which have sparked widespread media coverage and online debate.