TikTok sensation Nara Smith has vehemently denied allegations of stealing content creation ideas from South African chef and influencer Onezwa Mbola. Both social media personalities boast thousands of followers who are captivated by their innovative home-grown food recipes. However, a recent controversy has sparked a heated debate within their fan communities.
Onezwa, who gained fame as a contestant on MasterChef season four in 2022, has built a loyal following by sharing videos of her hearty meals that resonate with many South Africans. Despite her success, she recently expressed frustration over what she perceives as content theft by Nara, leading to an emotional outburst on social media.
In a series of tearful videos posted on her Instagram Stories, Onezwa accused Nara of stealing her ideas, which have garnered millions of views and substantial financial gain. “The reason I’m taking a break is that for months I have watched a very popular content creator use my ideas. She has continuously used my ideas to get views. That would be fine except in SA we don’t get paid for views, and where she is [Germany] they are paid for views. She has been making money by stealing my content,” Onezwa lamented.
Expressing her sense of betrayal, Onezwa added, “I’m very disheartened and heartbroken because she’s making a lot of money in views, and I am lucky to get a brand collaboration in three months. I feel like it is no longer worth it for me.” She cited a recent example where she made a video for boba tea, only to see Nara create a similar video the next day. “Recently I made a boba tea and I was very proud of that video. The next day, she made a boba tea video. You might say it may be a coincidence, except it happens very often. People comment on my videos, saying I am the South African Nara Smith. How am I the South African Nara Smith when she’s stealing my content?”
When confronted on social media about copying Onezwa’s boba tea idea, Nara denied the accusation. “This one [boba tea recipe] I just Googled! But usually, I come up with a lot of them,” she explained.
The controversy has divided their fanbase, with many showing support for Onezwa while others defend Nara, arguing that the content ideas are not exclusive.
Adding fuel to the fire, Onezwa revealed on her X account that Nara Smith is suing her for defamation of character. She shared an email allegedly sent by Nara, which read, “Dear Onezwa Mbola, I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to address a serious matter regarding your recent statements accusing me of stealing your content. You have publicly claimed that I stole your videos related to Boba tea and mozzarella cheese, which is untrue and damaging to my reputation. These allegations are entirely false. The videos in question are not my original creations, and I have all the necessary proof of this on the social media platform Tik Tok. Your false accusations have caused significant harm to my personal and professional reputation. This email serves as a formal notice that if you do not retract your statements and cease making these defamatory claims immediately, I will have no choice but to pursue legal action against you for defamation of character. I strongly urge you to take this matter seriously and to address it promptly to avoid further legal consequences. I expect your prompt response and a public retraction of your false claims. Sincerely, Nara Smith.”
Despite the legal threat, support for Onezwa remains strong on Twitter, with many users standing by her and insisting that Nara has taken content from her. As the drama unfolds, the online community watches closely to see how this conflict will be resolved.
🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/CVUm7nnIyr pic.twitter.com/MxprCVqnur
— ✨gatekeep, gaslight, girlboss✨ (@onezwambola) June 19, 2024 @onezwambola • Guava Boba : guava leaf tea, guava infused goats milk • goats cheese, mushroom and spinach galette 💚🤌🏾 #fyp #rurallife #farmlife #ezilalini #southafrica #dayinmylife #viral ♬ original sound – Onezwa Mbola
@naraazizasmith what’s your drink order? #easyrecipes #homecooking #fypツ #drink #boba #cravings ♬ Just Give Me One More Day – Alej
