Barack Obama and his family have once again become the center of attention. All this comes after the decision made by his daughter, Malia Obama, was revealed: to give up her last name.
In search of her own identity, some time ago, Malia decided not to use the Obama last name in her projects as a filmmaker. This gesture surprised many in the entertainment and political worlds.
Instead, Malia Obama chose to sign her work with her middle name, Ann. This choice carries strong symbolic meaning. According to reports, it honors her paternal grandmother, Ann Dunham, who passed away in 1995.
As expected, this change didn't go unnoticed. Especially when her decision was revealed in the end credits of her short film The Heart, a project presented at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
There, she appeared simply as Malia Ann, in a clear attempt to be valued for her work and not for her father's last name. This is a decision that both Michelle and Barack Obama publicly supported, understanding that their daughters are at a crucial stage of self-definition.
Barack Obama and his wife share their thoughts on the unexpected turn in their eldest daughter Malia Obama's life
During her appearance on the podcast Sibling Revelry, hosted by Oliver and Kate Hudson, Michelle Obama spoke openly about the decision her daughter, Malia Obama, had made:
"Malia, who started in film, even dropped the last name. We told her, 'They're still going to know it's you, Malia.' But we respect that she's trying to make her own way."
That day, Barack Obama's wife took the opportunity to reflect on her daughters' adolescence and the need to distance themselves from their parents to find their own path.
"It's very important for my daughters to feel they've earned what they have in this world. They don't want people to assume they don't work hard, that everything was handed to them," she added.
In line with her words, Barack Obama shared his perspective on this topic on The Pivot Podcast, where he recalled Malia's reaction when he spoke with her about this issue:
"I told her, 'You know they're still going to know who you are?' She replied, 'You know what? I want people to see my work for the first time without making that association.'"
These words managed to convince Barack Obama. His daughter Malia Obama's attitude revealed her desire to build a professional career apart from her father's political achievements.