Malia Obama's Hair and New Film: Controversy Brews Around Her Latest Directing Project

Malia Obama keeps setting trends in fashion and beauty. She was seen out during Memorial Day Weekend in the Hamptons reportedly rocking a blowout, a style that is becoming popular for summer. Malia Obama has become a quiet trendsetter. She often turns heads with her elegant and easy style. Her hair is part of this.

The blowout is known for its full look, movement, and sleek finish. It balances a polished feel with being carefree. This makes it good for warmer months when heavy styling can feel like too much. Some people connect blowouts with colder months but Malia Obama shows it has other uses in the summer. This is especially true if you are in the northeast where it can still be cool in June. For those with natural hair a silk press or a heat-protected blowout can stretch curls without making them completely straight. This gives a natural flow that is light and easy to handle. This style can be kept up with minimal heat touch-ups and products that resist humidity. This makes it good for everything from casual outings to formal gatherings. Obama's approach to the blowout feels modern and simple. It is a perfect example of how classic techniques can fit the needs of the season and still feel new.

What was even more interesting to see is that her auburn hair color seems to be her usual choice now. From her knotless braids to her blowout she has kept the same hair color. This means she has definitely found the hair color she likes best. I certainly agree with her choice. A few weeks ago Obama caught attention in the sports and fashion world. She helped direct one of the A’Ja Wilson "A’One" sneaker videos. This was a big moment and a surprising mix for many sports fashion and film fans. When asked about getting Malia Obama for the shoot Wilson said "That’s my team at Nike. I grew up seeing her on TV all the time just to be a part of the campaign was truly a blessing it was so cool to bring that to life."

An Independent Filmmaker Claims Malia Obama's Nike Commercial Looks Too Familiar

Looking Closer At The Accusations Of Copied Visuals In The New Ad

An independent filmmaker is saying that former first daughter Malia Obama copied her work for a recent Nike Commercial. Director Natalie Jasmine Harris claimed Obama took a scene from her short film "Grace" for the Nike ad. The scene shows two characters playing "pat-a-cake." Harris maintains that Obama copied the "cinematic tools" used to film the childhood game. Harris told Business Insider "Initially, I was disappointed and hurt not just for myself but for my entire team." This situation raises questions about fairness in the film world.

Obama’s Nike commercial "Teaching the Pro" features a young girl showing the complex movements of a custom "pat-a-cake" game to WNBA star A’ja Wilson. Wilson at first struggles to keep up. Harris, 27, claimed that the camera angles, shots, framing, and even the colors used in the ad were too similar to a scene from "Grace." She described her film as a "Black Southern Gothic short about a girl who’s being baptized and questioning her feelings for her best friend." Harris asked Business Insider "If they wanted these shots that were similar to my shots why not hire me to direct?" It is a fair question that many new filmmakers face.

Harris said she met Obama, 26, at a directors' brunch and other events at Sundance 2024. Their short films "Grace" and "The Heart" were both competing. Obama, who goes by Malia Ann professionally, also wrote for the Amazon Prime series "Swarm." The "Grace" director said her experience shows a larger frustration. Big brands often do not want to give chances to new filmmakers. This reluctance from brands means we lose out on new and original stories. Harris told Business Insider "The route that used to work for the Spike Lees and Steven Spielbergs of the world feels less viable today. If we're continuously overlooked how is the next generation of filmmakers going to exist?"

The Larger Conversation About "Nepo Babies" And Fair Chances In Hollywood Today

Examining The Challenges Facing New Artists When Competing With Well-Known Names

Harris has had success with commercial work for Verizon and Hyundai. Her student film "Pure" was bought by HBO. Even so she describes independent filmmaking as a "struggle." She relies on freelance work to pay her bills. She stated she has not heard back from Obama or Nike since she began speaking out about the similarities. This silence is common in these kinds of situations. Harris said she was not eager to talk about the issue. It involves a former president’s daughter and a big brand like Nike. She also did not want to criticize something involving the WNBA because it is important to her. But she felt she had to talk about what she sees as a major problem in her industry. She shared "I’ve poured too much into my work to just sit by and watch."

The "nepo baby" conversation is a big part of this story. Malia Obama is the daughter of a former president. She has a famous last name. While she wants to succeed on her own and uses "Malia Ann" professionally, her background can still open doors. This makes it harder for others who do not have those connections. Harris noted that "It speaks to a larger issue of brands not supporting independent artists and opting for folks who already have name recognition." This is a tough reality for many people trying to break into the film business.

The argument that "you did not invent pat-a-cake" has come up in some online discussions. Harris agreed with that point. She explained that it is "not about the game it’s about the cinematic tools used to depict it." Her cinematographer, Tehillah De Castro, noted many technical similarities. These included camera angles, shots, framing composition, and even the color scheme. This highlights the idea that creative work can be copied even if the basic idea is not new. It suggests that there are layers to what makes something original and how it is presented.

Malia Obama's Professional Journey And What This Means For The Future of Filmmaking

Considering The Impact of Public Scrutiny On Young Directors And The Industry's Path Forward

Malia Obama continues to live a very private life. Even so, she manages to be involved in the career she loves. She keeps giving us style and beauty inspiration. Whether it is her red hair and knotless braids or her clothes and handbags, fans pay attention. They add her pictures to their style moodboards. This shows her ongoing public presence and influence, even as she tries to build a career behind the camera.

The situation with the Nike commercial brings up a broader point about the film industry. It questions how new talent is discovered and supported. If brands only go for famous names, it leaves less room for new voices. This could mean fewer diverse and original stories reach our screens. It is a tough spot for both independent filmmakers and the industry as a whole. Filmmaking should be a path open to everyone, not just those with existing fame or wealth. Harris's frustration is something many aspiring artists can understand.

The future of filmmaking depends on supporting a wide range of voices. It is about allowing people to tell their stories in their own way. Whether Malia Obama or Nike will address Harris's claims remains to be seen. But the conversation itself is important. It sheds light on the challenges facing new directors. It also makes us think about the value of original creative work in a world that often favors popularity. This incident reminds us that even in the creative world, success is not always simple or straightforward. It often comes with complications and important discussions about who gets to tell stories and how.