Michelle Obama Reveals Why She Supports Malia’s Name Change

Embracing Individuality in Hollywood

Michelle Obama recently opened up about her daughter Malia’s stage name decision in Hollywood. She expressed her understanding and support for the choice. Instead of using the Obama surname for her first film project, Malia, 26, credited herself as “Malia Ann” when she released her short film, The Heart, in 2024. Ann is Malia’s middle name. This decision reflects her desire to carve out her own identity in the entertainment industry.

The Push for Independence

During a conversation on Kate and Oliver Hudson’s “Sibling Revelry” podcast, Michelle shared insights into her daughters’ growth and the challenges they face as children of a famous family. She noted that both Malia and her younger sister Sasha, who turned 24 on June 10, have gone through a phase of wanting to distance themselves from their family’s legacy. This is much like Malia’s stage name decision.

“Our daughters are 25 and 23. They’re young adult women,” Michelle explained. “But they definitely went through a period in their teen years where it was the push away. They’re still doing that.” This “push away” is common among kids born into prominent families. They strive to establish their own identities.

Earning Their Place

Michelle emphasized the importance of her children feeling that they have earned their achievements rather than relying on their family name. “It is very important for my kids to feel like they’ve earned what they are getting in the world,” she said. “And they don’t want people to assume that they don’t work hard, that they’re just naturally handed things,” she continued. “They’re very sensitive to that. They want to be their own people.”

With a laugh, she recounted Malia’s decision to drop her last name for her film debut, saying, “They’re still going to know it’s you, Malia. But we respected the fact that she’s trying to make her way. It’s much like the stage name decision.”

Navigating Life in the Spotlight

Michelle also reflected on her daughters’ experiences growing up in the public eye, noting that they never wanted to be “little princesses in the White House.” Instead, they sought freedom and opportunities to explore the world. “They wanted to push the envelope. They needed some rope,” she said. “They wanted to try some things. They wanted to be out in the world.” Malia’s stage name decision further illustrates this desire for individuality.

Support from Both Parents

Malia’s father, Barack Obama, also addressed her decision to change her name in the credits during an appearance on “The Pivot Podcast.” He discussed Malia Obama’s stage name decision, sharing that he told Malia the same thing Michelle did: “You do know they’ll know who you are.” Malia responded, “You know what? I want them to watch it that first time and not in any way have that association.”

A Journey of Self-Discovery

As Malia continues to navigate her career in film, both Michelle and Barack Obama stand by her decision to embrace her individuality. This journey of self-discovery not only showcases Malia’s talent but also highlights the importance of supporting young adults. They need this support as they forge their own paths in life. This echoes Malia’s stage name decision.