Growing up in the public eye is no easy challenge, and Malia Obama knows this reality firsthand. As the daughter of former President Barack Obama, she spent much of her life in the spotlight, with the media following her every move.
At just 25 years old, Malia made her directorial debut at the Sundance Film Festival with her film “The Heart”. In a recent interview with the Sundance Institute, she shared that she is now adopting her middle name, Malia Ann, and moving away from her last name to forge her own identity.
The name Ann has a deep meaning for Malia; it honors her paternal grandmother, who tragically passed away from ovarian cancer in 1995 at the age of 52. By adopting this name, Malia pays tribute to her family roots while also emphasizing her individuality.
In her short film, “The Heart”, which she directed and wrote, Malia delves into a moving narrative about a man grieving the loss of his mother. She describes the work as “a strange little fable” that explores themes of loss, forgiveness and regret, while revealing moments of tenderness in surprising places.
This isn’t Malia’s first foray into the entertainment world. She previously served in the writers’ room of Donald Glover’s Amazon Prime series Swarm, co-writing an episode titled “Girl, Bye.” Her skills have earned her praise from industry peers: co-creator Janine Nabers called her “very professional” and executive producer Stephen Glover praised her down-to-earth and approachable demeanor.
Malia’s decision to drop her last name reflects a trend among celebrities to redefine their identities; figures such as Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie have also opted for a fresh start.
For her Sundance debut, Malia opted for a relaxed and natural aesthetic, wearing minimal makeup and flaunting her curly hair adorned with small braids. This authentic look perfectly reflects her talent and dedication, which shines through in her work.
Malia Ann is forging her own path in Hollywood and we are excited to see what she does next! Her remarkable journey is an inspiration to many. Join us in celebrating this talented young woman by sharing her story with friends and family on Facebook!