In a recent interview on The Pivot Podcast, former President Barack Obama shared that his daughter, Malia, chose to use only her first and middle names, “Malia Ann,” for her short film debut The Heart at Sundance. Obama humorously noted his surprise: “I was like, ‘You do know they’ll know who you are?’”
Malia’s decision to “be seen for her work” reflects her drive for independence
Malia, 26, told her father she wanted viewers to approach her work without any associations tied to her last name. Her short film, described as a “fable” about grief, lost objects, and forgiveness, marked her first solo endeavor. Obama noted both Malia and her sister Sasha’s determination to forge their paths without leveraging family connections.
Obama expresses pride in daughters’ independence despite challenges of public upbringing
During the podcast, Obama reflected on raising his daughters under public scrutiny, crediting his wife, Michelle, and her mother, Marian Robinson, for helping the girls remain grounded. He praised their achievements, adding, “They’ve turned out amazing. I can’t brag about them enough.”
