Nara Smith, a content creator from the US, has threatened legal action against South African content creator and chef Onezwa Mbola after she publicly accused Smith of stealing and profiting off her content ideas without credit.
Foodies who frequent the social media platform TikTok will recognise Nara Smith, known for her videos where she cooks for her children and husband, Lucky. Often, her meals are made from scratch.
Onezwa Mbola, a South African food content creator who uses items she grows, raises or forages for her meals, recently released a video on social media accusing Nara Smith of stealing her content ideas and style, and profiting from them.
Following this video, which has since been deleted from Mbola’s TikTok account, Mbola posted another video stating that she would not participate in ‘likeability politics’.
The creator went on to add that despite the pushback from commenters defending Nara, she would remain true to her passion for creating content, and would not go back on her word.
“I do not mince my words. If I said it, trust me, I will stand by it,” said Onezwa, in the video.
“Nara Smith was making kale salads with lemon juice and olive oil before she started stealing content ideas from small content creators,” she remarked, sticking to her allegations against Smith.
@onezwambolaI don’t participate in likeability politics 💚♬ original sound – Onezwa Mbola
After this video was posted by Onezwa, Nara proceeded to threaten legal action against the South African content creator and chef for false allegations.
On Wednesday, Mbola took to Twitter, sharing a screenshot of an email she had allegedly received from Nara, threatening legal action.
“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.” wrote Nara, as per the X post by Mbola.
“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.”
Mbola, sharing Smith’s threats publicly, wrote:
“Nara is threatening to sue me 
”
Smith’s letter to Onezwa goes on to urge the South African creator to retract her claims, threatening legal action against Mbola for defamation of character.
“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.”
🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/CVUm7nnIyr pic.twitter.com/MxprCVqnur
— ✨gatekeep, gaslight, girlboss✨ (@onezwambola) June 19, 2024
Mbola, after sharing Nara’s letter, shared several more posts making light of the matter on X.
I thought y’all said she was unbothered 🤣🤣
— ✨gatekeep, gaslight, girlboss✨ (@onezwambola) June 19, 2024
This is the gift that keeps on giving, truly. Pls how do my lawyers need to be from here or the US? Which courts will I be sued in? Perhaps The Hague? This is an international law crisis 😭😭🥹🥹
— ✨gatekeep, gaslight, girlboss✨ (@onezwambola) June 19, 2024
Do you have a lawyer😭😭😂😂
— Eau de Sangoma📿🤍 (@MkhuluMathanyel) June 19, 2024
I need lawyers. I need flights. I need a glam team. I need to sell a few goats and a recipe for money.
— ✨gatekeep, gaslight, girlboss✨ (@onezwambola) June 19, 2024
Helllooooo @CyrilRamaphosa I’m getting SUED!!! Do something, send your international relations people. Contact our ambassador to the USA and Germany. Your citizen is under attack 😭😭😭
— ✨gatekeep, gaslight, girlboss✨ (@onezwambola) June 19, 2024
Y’all are laughing and im going to American jail???!!! 😭😭😭✋🏾✋🏾✋🏾
— ✨gatekeep, gaslight, girlboss✨ (@onezwambola) June 19, 2024
Article was originally written by Savana Douglas for Woman&Home.
Feature image: TikTok & Instagram
