Former First Lady Michelle Obama has finally addressed the buzz surrounding her daughter Malia Obama’s name change, offering heartfelt insight into the young creative’s bold move as she steps into the spotlight in Hollywood.

Malia, 25, now professionally goes by Malia Ann, her middle name – dropping the instantly recognizable Obama surname for her directorial debut. The Harvard alum made headlines earlier this year when her short film “The Heart “, which she wrote and directed, premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The project marked her first major public step into the entertainment industry and she did it on her own terms.

In a candid chat on the “Sibling Revelry” podcast, co-hosted by Oliver and Kate Hudson, Michelle shared the personal story behind her daughter’s decision.

 “On Malia’s first project, she took off her last name,” Michelle said. “And we were like, they’re still going to know it’s you, Malia. But we respected the fact that she’s trying to make her way.”

“She wants to earn her success,” the former First Lady shares in emotional podcast interview

The Obamas have always been intentional about keeping their daughters, Malia and Sasha, grounded despite growing up in the White House. Now 23 and 25 respectively, both women are carving their own paths, far from the political limelight.

 “They definitely went through a period in their teen years where it was the push away,” Michelle told the Hudson siblings. “They’re still doing that.”

Michelle emphasized how important it is to Malia and Sasha to earn their own success without the public assuming they were handed everything on a silver platter.

“They want to be their own people,” the Becoming author said. “They don’t want people to assume that they don’t work hard.”

The conversation also touched on the pressures of being born into fame. Michelle drew a parallel with the Hudson siblings, who themselves come from a famous lineage, children of actress Goldie Hawn and musician Bill Hudson.

“Our daughters didn’t want to be little princesses in the White House,” Michelle added. “They wanted to push the envelope… They wanted to be out in the world.”

As Malia embarks on her Hollywood filmmaking career, she’s clearly doing it on her own terms “one name credit at a time.”

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