Malia Obama, daughter of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, is forging her own path. The 25-year-old has recently made waves with her directorial debut, “The Heart,” at the Sundance Film Festival. What’s interesting is that she used a different name for the project.
A New Name and a New Path
Malia Obama was born on July 4, 1998, as Malia Ann Obama. Her middle name honors her paternal grandmother, who passed away from ovarian cancer at 52. Growing up in the spotlight as the President’s daughter, Malia graduated from Harvard and chose to pursue a career in screenwriting. For her new film, she adopted the name “Malia Ann.”
Directorial Debut at Sundance
Malia made a strong impression at Sundance with “The Heart.” She not only directed but also wrote the film. At the festival’s red carpet, she was radiant, showcasing her latest work. However, this isn’t her first venture into the industry. In 2021, she joined the writing team for the series “Swarm,” which aired on Amazon Prime. The series featured stars like Billie Eilish and Rory Culkin.
Praise from Industry Insiders
Malia’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. Janine Nabers, co-creator of “Swarm,” praised her writing skills. “Some of her pitches were wild and hilarious,” she told E! Online. “She’s an incredible writer.” Despite her famous background, Malia was treated just like any other writer on the team. Executive producer Stephen Glover noted, “She’s down to earth and cool.”
Proud Parents
Barack and Michelle Obama are proud of their daughter’s achievements. On her 25th birthday, Barack expressed his pride on Instagram, calling Malia a “talented, hilarious, and beautiful young woman.” Michelle echoed similar sentiments, expressing her love and pride for Malia.
A Bright Future
From Malia Obama to Malia Ann, she has transitioned from the President’s daughter to a promising Hollywood screenwriter and director. The future looks bright for this young talent as she continues to carve out her own path in the film industry.
