LOS ANGELES, USA — Michelle Obama has spoken publicly for the first time about her daughter Malia’s decision to drop the family surname as she pursues a career in film, describing it as an effort by the 25-year-old to establish her own path independent of her famous parents.
During an appearance on the Sibling Revelry podcast on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, hosted by Oliver and Kate Hudson, the former First Lady opened up about her daughters’ desire for autonomy and self-definition after their years in the White House.
Malia Ann, the Obamas’ eldest daughter, premiered her short film The Heart at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024.
The credits for the project list her as “Malia Ann,” omitting the Obama surname entirely.
Her decision marked a subtle but symbolic step away from the public identity associated with her father, former President Barack Obama.
“It is very important for my kids to feel like they’ve earned what they are getting in the world,” Michelle Obama said on the podcast.
“And they don’t want people to assume that they don’t work hard, that they’re just naturally, just handed things. They’re very sensitive to that – they want to be their own people.”
Appearing on the podcast alongside her brother and In My Opinion (IMO) co-host Craig Robinson, Obama recounted the family’s initial reaction to Malia’s decision.
“On Malia’s first project, she took off her last name, and we were like, ‘They’re still going to know it’s you, Malia,’” she said.
“But we respected the fact that she’s trying to make her way.”
Malia’s younger sister, Sasha, is a graduate of the University of Southern California.
Both daughters spent formative years under intense public scrutiny, growing up in the White House during Barack Obama’s two terms.
“Our daughters didn’t want to be little princesses in the White House,” Obama explained.
“They wanted to push the envelope; they needed some rope. They wanted to try some things, they wanted to be out in the world, and I knew that under the circumstances, they needed more rope than I probably would’ve given them if I were my mom.”
