MALIA OBAMA, 25, DEBUTS HER ALIAS & DITCHES FAMILY SURNAME AFTER STARTING MOVIE CAREER
Malia Obama, the daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama, recently premiered her short film, âThe Heart,â at the Sundance Film Festival. The name used to credit the former Presidentâs daughter, was void of her familyâs last name.
Malia Ann Obama was born on July 4, 1998, with her middle name honoring Barackâs mother, who passed away in 1995 from ovarian cancer at the age of 52. After growing up as the presidentâs daughter and graduating from Harvard, Malia decided to pursue a career as a screenwriter.
Malia Obama, 2007 | Source: Getty Images
In her latest film, âThe Heart,â where Malia is credited as director and screenwriter, she chose to go by her stage name, Malia Ann. She made an appearance on the red carpet at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival earlier this month for the premiere of the movie.
Malia Obama, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
This wasnât Maliaâs first experience in the industry. In 2021, she became part of the writing team for the âSwarmâ series, which later premiered on Amazon Prime. With Billie Eilish and Rory Culkin among the cast, the âSwarmâ marked a promising start to her career.
âSheâs an incredible writer,â said co-creator of the âSwarm,â Janine Nabers, about Malia. âShe brought a lot to the table⊠Sheâs really, really dedicated to her craft.â
Malia Obama, 2016 | Source: Getty Images
Despite her famous family, one of the executive producers of âSwarm,â Stephen Glover, insisted that they treated Malia just like any other member of the creative team.
âWe canât be easy on her just because sheâs the [former] Presidentâs daughter,â he stated. âNah, sheâs very down to earth, and cool. So, itâs not a problem at all.â
Her parents canât hide how proud they are of Malia. For her last birthday, they published sweet messages to support their daughter.
âHappy birthday to this talented, hilarious, and beautiful young woman,â wrote Barack on his Instagram. âMalia, I hope 25 brings you everything youâre looking for and more.â
His wife Michelle joined him with congratulations, posting, âHappy 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! đâ
From Malia Obama to Malia Ann. From the presidentâs daughter to a Hollywood screenwriter and director. The world is waiting for her new films to come, as she finds her voice in the movie industry.
As previously reported on January 19, 2024:
Malia Obama, the daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama, captivated attention with her first-ever red carpet debut at Sundance, making a distinctive statement in the world of fashion and film.
LaTonya Borsay, Tunde Adebimpe, Ayesha Nadarajah, and Malia Obama at the âThe Heartâ Premiere during the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2024 in Park City, Utah | Source: Getty Images
Malia Obama stepped onto the red carpet for the first time at âThe Heartâ premiere. Her appearance, during the Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2024, showcased her unique style.
Clad in a long, oversized gray coat paired with a casual striped blue shirt, she exuded a relaxed yet stylish vibe. Her outfit, complemented by dark, knee-high boots, was a blend of comfort and elegance.
Malia Obama attends the âThe Heartâ Premiere during the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2024 in Park City, Utah | Source: Getty Images
The young womanâs appearance has sparked a wave of reactions online. While many celebrated Maliaâs unique style, saying âlove her styleâ and praising her âclassy look,â others offered mixed reviews, including a claim that she âneeds a wardrobe consultant.â
A segment of onlookers criticized her ensemble, with one remarking, âDressed like this for the red carpet? Tacky.â Her simple gray coat was labeled âthriftyâ by one user. One commentator admitted Maliaâs fashion sense has âindieâ vibes.
Malia Obama attends the âThe Heartâ Premiere during the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2024 in Park City, Utah | Source: Getty Images
Maliaâs first red carpet appearance was not just a step into the spotlight but also a stride in her burgeoning career in the film industry. At just 25, she has already carved out a space for herself, thanks to her role in the writersâ room for Donald Gloverâs new Amazon series.
Glover, known for his critical and audience acclaim, has described Malia as an âamazingly talented person.â Her path in Hollywood includes various internships and a role as a production assistant.
Despite her high-profile background, Malia is regarded as a âregular person like everybody elseâ in the writersâ room. Her journey into the film industry has been marked by notable progression.
She made her writing debut on Donald Gloverâs Prime Video series, âSwarm.â Glover himself has praised Malia, indicating that her writing style is unique and promising.