Malia Obama, the daughter of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, is carving her own path in the entertainment industry. At 25 years old, she recently made her directorial debut with her film, The Heart, at the Sundance Film Festival.
Interestingly, in the film’s credits, Malia chose not to include her family surname. Instead, she opted for the name Malia Ann, paying tribute to her paternal grandmother who passed away from ovarian cancer. This decision reflects her desire to establish herself independently in the industry.
Born on July 4, 1998, Malia grew up in the public eye as the President’s daughter and graduated from Harvard University. However, she is now exploring her passion for screenwriting and directing.
Prior to The Heart, Malia had already made a mark in the industry. In 2021, she contributed to the writing team for the series Swarm, which streamed on Amazon Prime. Collaborating with well-known names such as Billie Eilish and Rory Culkin, she demonstrated her talent as both a writer and a storyteller.
Co-creator of Swarm, Janine Nabers, praised Malia’s writing, describing her pitches as “wild as hell,” yet brilliant and humorous. Despite her famous background, Malia was treated as an equal by the production team and earned respect for her dedication and talent.
Her parents, Barack and Michelle Obama, have expressed their pride in Malia’s achievements. On her recent 25th birthday, they took to social media to share heartfelt birthday wishes. Barack wrote, “Happy birthday to this talented, hilarious, and beautiful young woman,” while Michelle posted, “Happy 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.”
Malia Obama’s evolution from the President’s daughter to a promising Hollywood screenwriter and director is a testament to her talent and determination. With her new name and growing portfolio, she paves the way for a bright future in the entertainment industry.
