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Malia Obama’s Nike Ad Slammed By Sundance Director Over “Echoes” Of Her Short
Following Malia Obama's short film debut at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, she is accused of lifting heavy inspiration from a fellow director.
Natalie Jasmine Harris, whose short Grace competed alongside Obama’s The Heart at last year’s festival, said she saw “a lot of similarities” between her title and the former first daughter’s recent Nike ad starring WNBA’s A’ja Wilson. Harris noted she met Obama (who uses the professional credit Malia Ann) “at the director’s brunch and a couple other events” when their shorts were both in competition. “It speaks to a larger issue of brands not supporting independent artists and opting for folks who already have name recognition, which doesn’t breed innovative films or original storytelling.
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