Malia, daughter of Barack Obama, removes her last name

Malia Obama Adopts New Last Name

Malia Obama, the daughter of former President Barack Obama, has decided to change her last name as she begins her new professional journey, aiming to steer clear of any perceptions of nepotism.

Now calling herself “Malia Ann,” she seems to be focusing on her filmmaking aspirations. This change follows a rather controversial internship she took back in 2017 with Harvey Weinstein, a Hollywood figure who was at the center of many serious allegations at that time.

Malia expressed that her choice is largely motivated by the wish to create her own identity. She wants to avoid being labeled a “nepo baby,” a term used for those who gain advantages from family connections rather than their own efforts.

In support, Michelle Obama shared her thoughts with the media. She and Barack are backing their daughter’s decision to drop the “Obama” surname, praising both Malia and Sasha for their pursuit of independence and individuality.

“Our daughters [Malia and Sasha] are 25 and 23. They are young adult women, but they definitely went through a period in their teen years where it was the push away … [where] you’re trying to distinguish yourself,” Michelle Obama commented during an episode of the podcast “Sibling Revelry” hosted by actors Kate and Oliver Hudson.

“I mean, it is very important for my kids to feel like they’ve earned what they are getting in the world, and they don’t want people to assume that they don’t work hard, that they’re just naturally, just handed things,” she added. “They’re very sensitive to that — they want to be their own people.”

The Obamas have also been clear about their intent to protect their daughters’ privacy while living in the White House, allowing them to grow up away from relentless media scrutiny.

In a previous interview, Barack Obama acknowledged that the public attention that comes with being presidential children is not something his daughters embraced. However, Malia appears ready to accept public interest now, as long as it’s tied to her artistic and filmmaking ambitions.