Michelle Obama recently opened up about how she and former President Barack Obama responded when their daughter, Malia, decided to drop the Obama surname in her professional work. Speaking on the Sibling Revelry podcast with Kate and Oliver Hudson on June 3, Michelle recalled the moment Malia told them of her decision.
“Malia started her career in film, and her first project, she removed her last name,” Michelle shared. “We were like, ‘They’re still going to know it’s you, Malia.’ But we respect that she’s trying to make her own way.”
Malia introduced her professional name, Malia Ann, during the February 2024 premiere of her film The Heart. The change was first noticed in the credits at Sundance Institute’s “Meet the Artist” spotlight video.
The Obamas, who also share a younger daughter, Sasha, 23, understand their daughters’ need to assert their independence. Michelle noted, “At 26 and 23, they’re young women now—but there was definitely a time in their teen years when they were pushing away. And in some ways, they still are.”
Michelle emphasized how important it is to her daughters that they are recognized for their hard work, not just their family name. “They don’t want anyone to think they were handed anything. They’re very sensitive to that.”
She also reflected on how parenting in the public eye shaped her approach, especially while raising children in the White House. “Now that they’re older, they really embrace the values we tried to instill. They understand why we made the choices we did—and they see us as full people now, the same way I came to understand my parents when I left for college.”
Michelle concluded by saying her daughters never wanted to be seen as “little princesses” during their time in the White House. “They wanted freedom. They needed space to try things, to figure out who they are. And under those unique circumstances, I realized I had to give them even more room than I might have otherwise.”
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