Chiki Uno Emerges as Nike Knicks Ad Star, Missing-Tooth Confidence Takes the Spotlight

Bronx model Chiki Uno, famous for his gap-toothed smile, stars Nike’s Knicks championship ad directed by Josh Safdie; despite no acting experience, he landed the role after a last-minute casting, sprinted across NYC in the spot (and injured his wrist during a cartwheel), and his breakout moment has made him instantly recognizable—fueling talk of a Knicks parade and proving that bold self-belief can turn a personal flaw into a defining campaign image.