Who Is Loren Waters? Indigenous Filmmaker Draws Attention Amid Jacob Tobey Controversy

|Stephanie Irvin|

Loren Waters, an award-winning Indigenous filmmaker and producer, has recently been pulled into the spotlight after social media posts linked her to San Antonio Spurs broadcaster Jacob Tobey. The online chatter sparked plenty of curiosity, but Waters’ reputation was built long before the controversy, through years of work in film, documentary storytelling, and advocacy for Native communities.

Neither Waters nor Tobey has publicly addressed the allegations circulating online, and the authenticity of the posts that set off the discussion has not been independently verified.

Who Is Loren Waters?

Loren Waters is a Cherokee and Kiowa filmmaker, producer, and storyteller from Oklahoma whose work centers on Indigenous identity, culture, and community.

She founded Waters Media, a production company where she directs, produces, and casts projects focused on authentic Native representation. Over the years, she has worked alongside Indigenous artists and filmmakers while helping bring stories to the screen that are often overlooked in mainstream media. Her work has earned national recognition, including a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list and a place among Filmmaker Magazine’s “25 New Faces of Independent Film.”

Career Built on Indigenous Storytelling

Long before her name appeared in viral headlines, Waters had already built an impressive career in the film industry. She has worked on acclaimed productions such as Reservation Dogs, Fancy Dance, and The Lowdown, taking on roles that include extras and casting director.

One of her most notable projects is the short documentary Tiger, which won the Short Film Special Jury Award for Directing at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and qualified for Academy Award consideration. Her work has also screened at major festivals, including SXSW and Hot Docs, helping establish her as one of the rising voices in documentary filmmaking.

Recognized Across the Film Industry

Waters has received several honors for both her creative work and her commitment to Indigenous storytelling.

She is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and has been recognized with awards including the Princess Grace Film Honoraria Award, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation LIFT Award, the New York Foundation for the Arts Anonymous Was a Woman Environmental Art Grant, and the Tulsa Artist Fellowship for 2026–2028.

Those achievements have placed her among a new generation of Indigenous filmmakers helping bring Native perspectives to a wider audience.

Role in the Lindy Waters III Foundation

Beyond filmmaking, Waters serves as executive director of the Lindy Waters III Foundation, an organization connected to her brother, NBA player Lindy Waters III. The foundation works to support Native youth and strengthen Indigenous communities through educational programs, outreach, and community initiatives.

Her role there reflects a broader commitment to advocacy that extends well beyond the entertainment world.

Why Is Loren Waters Making Headlines?

Loren Waters entered the national conversation after screenshots of Instagram Stories that appeared on Jacob Tobey’s account began circulating online. The posts alleged that Tobey had been unfaithful to his longtime partner with Loren and included photos that were said to show the two together.

Although the posts were later deleted, screenshots spread quickly across social media, fueling discussion among NBA fans and sports gossip accounts. Still, no official source has verified the posts or confirmed the claims they contained.