Michelle Obama Confirms Daughter Malia Drops Obama Name for Film Career

Michelle Obama has explained that her daughter Malia, now 26, chose to drop the family surname professionally to establish her own identity and be judged on her own merit in the film industry. Malia goes by 'Malia Ann,' using her middle name as a tribute to her late grandmother Ann Dunham, and debuted this name at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival with her short film "The Heart." Both Michelle and President Barack Obama have expressed respect for Malia's decision, emphasizing that she and her sister Sasha have always wanted to carve out their own paths without relying on their family’s political legacy. Michelle described this as part of a natural "push away" phase where their daughters strive to prove they have earned their achievements through hard work rather than family fame. Malia’s work includes directing a Nike commercial and writing for an Amazon Prime series, highlighting her growing creative career independent of the Obama name. The Obamas have encouraged their daughters to build their own identities and careers, underscoring the importance of self-made success even under public scrutiny.