Influencer Nara Smith, known for promoting traditionalist lifestyle, faces allegations of content theft, made by South African TikToker Onezwa Mbola.
In the world of TikTok, two cooking creators, Nara Smith and Onezwa Mbola, have found themselves at the centre of a heated debate. The controversy, which revolves around allegations of plagiarism, colourism, and TikTok algorithm bias, has sparked discussions about representation and fairness in the digital content sphere.
Nara Smith, with her 7.7 million followers, is known for her aesthetic lifestyle and cooking videos, often showcasing expensive designer outfits and jewellery. Her content style is similar to Onezwa Mbola's, who has over 530,000 followers and presents a more rustic image, living on a farm in South Africa and caring for livestock. Both creators have soft and soothing voices, and their content focuses on cooking for their families.
The controversy began when Onezwa Mbola's fans noticed striking similarities between her videos and those of Nara Smith, including a video where both creators made boba tea from scratch. Onezwa Mbola accused Nara Smith of making money off her content, causing a stir among the online community.
Nara Smith responded to the allegations, claiming she had never seen Onezwa Mbola's videos and that she is not the first or last person to make boba. However, some fans pointed out that Nara Smith had replied to one of Onezwa Mbola's TikToks back in February.
Another user, Electra Telesford, attributed the situation to the inequity embedded in the TikTok algorithm, suggesting that it may favour popular creators like Nara Smith, giving them more visibility. Onezwa Mbola herself has commented that she changes her videos "just enough" to avoid blatant copying.
The issue of colourism in the entertainment industry has also been highlighted by this situation, with some users noting a traditional lack of favour for darker-skinned people in prominent roles or recognition of their actual talent.
Despite the controversy, Onezwa Mbola's fanbase has grown due to the drama. However, it's important to note that there is no concrete or documented controversy involving Nara Smith and Onezwa Mbola with regards to plagiarism, colourism, or TikTok algorithmic bias in the current data. For such a specific and sensitive inquiry, further direct investigation or updated primary sources would be necessary.
References:
- TikTok’s algorithm curates content visibility through engagement-driven ranking systems that can amplify divisive or toxic material
- Studies show content exposure on TikTok depends heavily on user interests and follows, which shapes the likelihood of encountering specific thematic content
- Algorithmic feeds can cause individualized experiences that sometimes distort worldviews or promote misinformation, but these effects vary by user data and consumption patterns
- Research on identity and culturally significant content on TikTok reveals nuanced dynamics of ethnic identity negotiation and counter-hegemonic expressions
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