Malia Obama, the 25-year-old daughter of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, is stepping into adulthood and forging her own unique path. As part of this new chapter, she has even decided to drop her family surname.
Malia made her directorial debut with The Heart, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Interestingly, the film’s credits did not feature her last name.
Born Malia Ann Obama on July 4, 1998, Malia was named after her paternal grandmother, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 1995. Growing up in the public eye as the daughter of the President, Malia later graduated from Harvard University and chose to pursue a career in screenwriting.
In her latest project, The Heart, Malia both directed and wrote the film. She made a notable appearance on the red carpet at the festival for the movie’s premiere.
However, Malia’s filmmaking journey isn’t entirely new. In 2021, she was part of the writing team for Swarm, a series that premiered on Amazon Prime. Featuring stars like Billie Eilish and Rory Culkin, Swarm marked an exciting start to her professional career.
“Some of her pitches were wild as hell, and they were just so good and so funny. She’s an incredible writer,” said Swarm co-creator Janine Nabers in an interview with E! Online. “She brought a lot to the table… She’s really, really dedicated to her craft.”
Despite her famous lineage, Swarm executive producer Stephen Glover emphasized that Malia was treated just like any other member of the creative team. “We can’t be easy on her just because she’s the [former] President’s daughter,” he told Vanity Fair. “Nah, she’s very down to earth and cool. So, it’s not a problem at all.”
Michelle also posted a touching tribute, saying, “Happy birthday, Malia! I feel so lucky to be your mom and to be able to watch you become the wonderful young woman you are today. Love you so much!”
Malia’s parents, Barack and Michelle Obama, have expressed immense pride in her achievements. In honor of her 25th birthday, they shared heartfelt messages of love and support.
“Happy birthday to this talented, hilarious, and beautiful young woman,” Barack wrote on Instagram. “Malia, I hope 25 brings you everything you’re looking for and more.”
Michelle also posted a touching tribute, saying, “Happy birthday, Malia! I feel so lucky to be your mom and to be able to watch you become the wonderful young woman you are today. Love you so much!”
From Malia Obama to Malia Ann, transitioning from the daughter of a President to a rising star in Hollywood, her future looks incredibly promising.