Malia Obama has officially stepped into the Hollywood spotlight under the name “Malia Ann,” choosing to pursue her career as a director without her famous last name. Her debut film, The Heart, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival 2024, marking her first public move to establish herself independently in the entertainment industry. Former President Barack Obama, speaking on the Pivot podcast, shared his full support for Malia’s decision, commending her desire to create a career on her own terms.
Malia’s Hollywood journey began with internships on an HBO series and at a production company before she worked as a writer on Donald Glover’s Swarm. Now venturing into directing, she hopes that viewers see her work as a reflection of her own creative vision, rather than connecting it with her family’s legacy. "Her first film went to Sundance, and she didn’t use ‘Obama’ as a director on the credits,” Barack Obama said, explaining her choice as a commitment to building her own reputation.
Both Barack and Michelle Obama, who oversee their own production company, Higher Ground Productions, appreciate their daughters’ independent spirit. Barack noted, “They hardly want us involved. They’re very sensitive and quite stubborn about it.” Both Malia and her sister, Sasha, are focused on carving their own paths without depending on their parents' fame.
Malia’s choice reflects a growing trend among celebrity children who pursue careers without their family names. Stars like Suri Cruise and Elle King have opted to use names that help them stand out as individuals. Other well-known figures, such as Shiloh and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt and Willow Smith, have also chosen unique paths to highlight their personal identities rather than their family connections.
Reflecting on Malia’s journey, Barack expressed pride in his daughters' grounded approach to fame and career-building. While he is now involved in supporting Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, he remains a supportive father, noting how his daughters prefer to keep their lives as private as possible, regardless of public attention.
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