Malia Obama Reinvents Herself as “Malia Ann” With Bold Hollywood Debut

At 25, Malia Obama is stepping out of her parents’ political shadow and into her own spotlight. When her directorial debut The Heart premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, fans noticed she wasn’t credited as “Malia Obama” but as Malia Ann — a name that honors her late grandmother, Ann, while signaling independence from the Obama legacy.

This move underscores her evolution from “the President’s daughter” into a filmmaker with her own vision. She’s no stranger to Hollywood either — in 2021, Malia joined the writing team of Swarm, Amazon Prime’s acclaimed series. Co-creator Janine Nabers praised her as an “incredible writer,” while producer Stephen Glover emphasized she earned respect through hard work, not family ties.

Her parents remain her biggest cheerleaders. On her 25th birthday, Barack described her as “talented, hilarious, and beautiful,” while Michelle called her growth “a blessing to watch.”

By choosing a new name and career path, Malia Ann is redefining her identity. With her creative boldness and fresh storytelling, Hollywood insiders believe she’s poised to become one of the industry’s most exciting young voices.