Malia Obama, daughter of former POTUS and FLOTUSย Barackย andย Michelle Obama, is now a grown woman who is slowly forging a new path for herself โ and sheโs even decided to change her name.
The 25-year-old recently showcased her directorial debut,ย The Heart, at the Sundance Film Festival.
Interestingly, the filmโs credits notably didnโt include her family surname.
![](https://cdn-main.newsner.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/02/23092631/GettyImages-508201166-scaled.jpg)
Born Malia Ann Obama on July 4, 1998, her middle name pays tribute to her paternal grandmother, who succumbed to ovarian cancer at 52 in 1995. Growing up in the limelight as the Presidentโs daughter and graduating from Harvard, Malia opted to explore a career in screenwriting.
In her latest project,ย The Heart, where Malia assumes the roles of director and screenwriter, she adopted the pseudonym Malia Ann. Making aย striking appearance on the festivalโs red carpetย earlier this year, Malia enjoyed the premiere of her movie.
Though, this venture into filmmaking isnโt Maliaโs inaugural foray into the industry. In 2021, she contributed to the writing team for the seriesย Swarm, which later streamed on Amazon Prime. With notable cast members such as Billie Eilish and Rory Culkin,ย Swarmย marked a promising start to her professional journey.
![](https://cdn-main.newsner.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/01/22092951/GettyImages-1943340931-scaled.jpg)
โSome of her pitches were wild as hell, and they were just so good and so funny. Sheโs an incredible writer,โย Swarmย co-creator Janine Nabers toldย E! Onlineย about Maliaโs talent. โShe brought a lot to the tableโฆ Sheโs really, really dedicated to her craft.โ
Despite her prominent lineage, executive producer ofย Swarmย Stephen Glover was quick to say that Malia was treated no differently from other members of the creative team.
โWe canโt be easy on her just because sheโs the [former] Presidentโs daughter,โ he admitted toย Vanity Fair. โNah, sheโs very down to earth and cool. So, itโs not a problem at all.โ
![](https://cdn-main.newsner.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2024/01/22103058/GettyImages-1943357232-scaled.jpg)
Proud parents Barack and Michelle Obama have openly expressed their pride in Malia, showering her with affectionate birthday wishes on her recent 25th birthday.
โHappy birthday to this talented, hilarious, and beautiful young woman,โ Barack wrote on Instagram. โMalia, I hope 25 brings you everything youโre looking for and more.โ
Michelle echoed her husbandโs words, posting: โHappy 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! ๐โ
From Malia Obama to Malia Ann, from the Presidentโs daughter to a budding Hollywood screenwriter and director, itโs clear that there is a bright future ahead!
Leave a Reply