Michelle Obama opens up about Malia’s surprising decision to drop Obama surname
Michelle Obama has finally spoken out about her daughter Malia Obama’s recent choice to stop using the famous Obama last name in her creative work. The former First Lady shared her thoughts during a heartfelt conversation on the “Sibling Revelry” podcast, hosted by Oliver and Kate Hudson, on Wednesday, June 4.
The discussion came after Malia, now 26, surprised fans by dropping her last name from her professional credits. Instead of using Malia Obama, she chose to go by Malia Ann, using her middle name for her debut short film, The Heart, which she wrote and directed. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024, where she was credited only as “Malia Ann”—a move that sparked plenty of questions from the public.
Michelle explained that Malia’s choice is about building her own identity. “Our daughters are 26 and 23, they are young adult women,” she said. “They definitely went through a period in their teen years… it was the ‘push away.’” Michelle added that many children of famous parents go through this same journey as they try to step out of their parents’ shadows.
The former First Lady admitted that parenting in the public eye came with many challenges, especially with two daughters growing up under the spotlight. She said, “Where do we begin?” when asked about the toughest parts. Michelle emphasized that her daughters, including younger daughter Sasha, want to be recognized for their efforts, not just because they are Barack Obama’s children.
“They’re still doing that,” she said. “And you guys know this of children with parents who are known. You’re trying to distinguish yourself. It’s very important for my kids to feel like they’ve earned what they are getting in the world.”
This decision by Malia shows her desire to make it on her own terms in Hollywood. By using her middle name instead of the Obama surname, she hopes people will see her work for its creativity and not just focus on her family background. Michelle respects this choice, understanding that it’s part of growing up and building personal independence.
As Malia continues her journey in the film industry, many are now watching with admiration. Her decision may seem surprising to some, but for others, it’s a bold step toward shaping her path.
