Gary's Tea: Malia Obama Accused of Copying Nike Ad Concept

Malia Obama’s directorial debut for Nike has drawn attention not just for its bold visuals and cultural celebration, but also for sparking a debate over creative originality.

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The 26-year-old, who now works under the professional name Malia Ann, directed a new campaign celebrating WNBA star A’ja Wilson and her first signature shoe, the A’One. The ad, which launched ahead of the sneaker’s official May 6 release, is filled with vibrant images highlighting Wilson’s South Carolina roots, her connection to Benedict College, and the culture of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Viewers praised the campaign for its joyful portrayal of Black heritage, featuring energetic dancers from Benedict College and even a cameo from Wilson’s father, Roscoe, a former Benedict athlete. The ad’s message is clear: Wilson’s journey is deeply rooted in tradition, excellence, and pride.

But alongside the applause, the campaign is facing claims of unoriginality from independent filmmaker Natalie Jasmine Harris. Harris, a recent NYU graduate whose short film Grace debuted at Sundance earlier this year, publicly accused the Nike spot of closely resembling her own work. She shared side-by-side images from her film and Obama’s commercial on social media, writing, “Been sitting with this for a while… the new @Nike commercial directed by Malia Obama feels shockingly similar to my work.”

In a follow-up post, Harris elaborated, saying, “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. If brands want a certain look, why not hire from the source instead of for name recognition?”

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While Harris didn’t accuse Obama of intentionally copying her, her comments raised questions about opportunity and access in the creative world—especially when lesser-known artists see their ideas mirrored in high-profile projects led by those with prominent last names.

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Despite the criticism, Obama’s ad remains a powerful statement celebrating Black identity and athleticism. It taps into the spirit of community found on HBCU campuses and elevates Wilson’s story by linking her success to her family and cultural foundation.

The conversation now unfolding online reflects bigger themes around originality, inspiration, and who gets to tell certain stories on large platforms. And while Malia Obama hasn’t publicly responded to the accusations, the situation has amplified a conversation many independent artists have been having for years: how hard it is to get noticed and credited for their vision.

Harris, meanwhile, has invited others to view Grace by sharing the link to her film online.

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Gary’s Tea: Malia Obama Accused of Copying Nike Ad Concept  was originally published on ronerickeysmileymorningshow.staging.go.ione.nyc