Former President Barack Obama recently shared his thoughts on his daughter Malia’s decision to drop the family name in her professional life.
At 26, Malia is making strides in the film industry, having made her directorial debut with “The Heart” at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
Instead of being credited as Malia Obama, she chose to use her first and middle name, Malia Ann.
Speaking on The Pivot Podcast, Obama revealed that Malia’s choice did not come as a surprise to him.
He noted the challenges parents face in supporting their children’s independence, saying, “The challenge for us is letting us give them any help at all. They’re very sensitive about this stuff. They’re very stubborn about it.”
Despite Malia’s desire to establish her own identity away from the family legacy, Obama humorously reminded her that people would likely still recognize her.
“I was all like, ‘You do know they’ll know who you are,’” he recounted.
Malia responded, “I want them to watch it that first time and not in any way have that association,” emphasizing her commitment to her own artistic vision.
Obama also shared insights into the pressures of fame that Malia and her sister Sasha face.
He acknowledged the frustrations that come with being in the public eye, particularly the paparazzi attention that drives them “nuts.”
He praised their grounded attitudes, saying, “Their attitude is, ‘We’re not looking for all that.’”
Reflecting on his parenting approach, Obama explained that he almost chose not to run for office to ensure his daughters could enjoy a normal childhood.
He made a deal with the White House press pool, insisting, “Leave my children alone because they have the right to grow up.”
He expressed gratitude that the press respected this agreement, allowing his daughters to navigate their early years away from the spotlight.
As he looks at what Malia and Sasha have accomplished, Obama couldn’t be prouder: “They’ve turned out amazing. I can’t brag about them enough.”
