Barack Obama shared his feelings about his daughter, Malia, dropping her last name for her directorial debut during an episode of the “Pivot” podcast. He revealed that when Malia’s first film went to Sundance and other film festivals, she chose not to credit herself as an Obama in an effort to have audiences view her work without associating it with her famous parents. Despite warning her that people would still know her identity, Malia was determined to have her work stand on its own.
The former president explained that his daughters, Malia and Sasha, are not interested in leveraging their famous last name to advance their careers. Obama shared that they are resistant to any form of help their parents could provide, emphasizing their desire to succeed based on their own merit. This includes Malia’s choice to use her mother’s last name instead of highlighting her connection to the Obamas for her directorial debut to give her work a chance to be judged on its own merits.
During the “Pivot” podcast, Obama also mentioned the challenges of providing assistance to his daughters, as they are very selective about accepting help. He expressed how proud he is that his daughters are paving their own paths and not using their status for personal gain. Any help their parents provide is met with resistance, showing their strong desire to succeed based on their own talents and not their famous last name.
Whoopi Goldberg came to Malia’s defense earlier this year after the 26-year-old faced criticism for not using her last name for her directorial debut. Goldberg questioned why people cared if Malia wanted to use a different name, emphasizing that it was her right to choose how she wanted to be identified. She applauded Malia for asserting her independence and making her own decisions about how she wanted to be perceived outside of her famous family name.
Malia made a red carpet appearance at the Deauville American Film Festival in September to promote her short film. She chose to wear a plaid ensemble by designer Vivienne Westwood, comprising a Sunday corset and an asymmetrical maxi skirt. Malia completed the look with black knee-high leather boots and hoop earrings, showcasing her unique style. Despite her admission that she is not as knowledgeable about fashion, Malia expressed happiness at wearing the designer outfit.
Overall, Obama’s comments, along with Goldberg’s defense of Malia’s choice to not use her last name for her film debut, shed light on Malia and Sasha’s commitment to forging their own paths and establishing their identities separate from their famous parents. The sisters are determined to succeed based on their talent and hard work rather than relying on their connections. Malia’s decision to use her mother’s last name and not leverage the Obama name for personal gain reflects her desire to be recognized for her work rather than her family background.
