Malia Obama Drops Her Last Name in Film Credits to Establish Her Own Identity

(WCTU CLEVELAND 13) — Michelle Obama recently addressed her daughter Malia’s decision to drop the “Obama” surname in her professional film work, saying the move reflects a deliberate effort to claim independence from the weight of her family’s name. Speaking on the June 2 episode of the “Sibling Revelry” podcast with Kate and Oliver Hudson, the former first lady explained that Malia, 26, is working to earn recognition on her own merit.

“It’s very important for my kids to feel like they’ve earned what they are getting in the world,” Michelle Obama said. “They don’t want people to assume that they don’t work hard and that they’re naturally just handed things. They’re very sensitive to that. They want to be their own people.”

Malia’s choice to professionally go by “Malia Ann” surfaced publicly when her short film The Heart premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The film credits list her as “Malia Ann,” a name that also pays homage to her late grandmother, Ann Dunham, the mother of former President Barack Obama.

Michelle Obama said the name change is part of a broader desire by both of her daughters (Malia and Sasha, 23) to distinguish themselves from their famous parents. “I mean, they’re still doing that,” she added during the podcast, referencing the common teenage desire to assert independence. “We were like, ‘They’re still going to know it’s you, Malia.’ But we respected the fact that she’s trying to make her way.”

Malia has built an early career in filmmaking, with credits that include working in the writers’ room of Amazon’s Swarm and directing a commercial for Nike. The former first lady noted that her daughters are now old enough to better understand the parenting decisions made by their mother and father. “They understand us as full human beings now, in the same way that I think I discovered that about my parents when I went away to college,” she said. “I think our kids are moving into that.”

Former President Barack Obama previously addressed the subject on The Pivot Podcast in 2024, sharing a moment of light-hearted exchange with Malia about the decision to drop her surname. “You do know they’ll know who you are,” he recalled telling her. Malia replied, “I want them to watch it that first time and not in any way have that association.”

Her parents’ public comments reflect support for the professional and personal choices Malia and Sasha are making as young adults navigating life outside the public eye. “We respected the fact that she’s trying to make her way,” Michelle Obama reiterated.