Barack Obama has shared his thoughts on his eldest daughter Malia’s decision to drop her last name professionally, particularly for her directorial debut.
The former president revealed that while he fully supports her choice, he did warn her that omitting the name "Obama" wouldn’t entirely mask her connection to their well-known family. In a conversation on the "Pivot" podcast, Obama noted that Malia’s first film made it to prestigious film festivals like Sundance, and she chose not to include “Obama” in the credits. He humorously recalled his reaction, saying, “I told her, ‘You do know they’ll still figure out who you are.’” This comment highlighted his understanding of how their family’s public profile inevitably follows his daughters, even as they strive to create independent paths.
Malia’s motivation for dropping her last name is rooted in her desire for audiences to view her work, titled The Heart, without preconceived notions linked to her family background. Obama explained, “She wants people to watch it the first time without thinking about who her parents are.” For Malia, it’s about letting her creative voice shine without the weight of her family name overshadowing her achievements.
As a devoted father to Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23, Obama expressed pride in his daughters’ determination to forge their own identities. He acknowledged that both young women consciously avoid leveraging their family name to advance their careers. “Our daughters go out of their way not to use their status to get ahead,” Obama said. He added that this independent streak also means they rarely ask for assistance, even from their parents, noting, “They’re very sensitive about it; they don’t want us to help.”
Earlier this year, Malia’s choice to go by "Malia Ann" stirred online discussions, with some questioning her decision to downplay her famous last name. Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of The View, defended Malia on the show, expressing that she had every right to choose how she presents herself professionally. "If she wants to be called Malia Ann, that’s her choice," Goldberg said passionately. "If she wanted to call herself Jeanette MacDonald, she has the right to! If I can be Whoopi Goldberg, she can be whoever she wants to be!”
Recently, Malia stepped into the spotlight at the Deauville American Film Festival to promote her film. Wearing a plaid Vivienne Westwood ensemble that included a chic Sunday corset and asymmetrical maxi skirt, Malia showed off her unique style. She completed the look with black knee-high leather boots and hoop earrings, bringing her own flair to the red carpet. When asked about her fashion sense, she admitted with modesty, “I don’t know as much about fashion, but I’m happy to be wearing this.” Her comments reflect her focus on storytelling and creativity rather than being defined by her family or the expectations of fame.
