Michelle Obama is no stranger to the spotlight, but her daughter, Malia, is cautiously carving out her own career separate from her famous parents.
In a recent episode of “The Sibling Rivalry Podcast” with Kate and Oliver Hudson, Michelle Obama offered candid thoughts about parenting her daughters, Malia and Sasha, who are now both in their twenties and establishing their lives away from the spotlight.
Around the 30-minute point of the episode, the former first lady said that Malia, who made her writing and directorial debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024, decided to remove the name Obama from her professional credits. She said,
“Malia, who started in cinema—I mean, her first picture, she took off her last name, and we were like, They’ll still recognize you, Malia. But we appreciated her for attempting to create her own way.”
The proud mother further stated that both children have intentionally distanced themselves from the celebrity and luxury that come with growing up in the White House. She said, “They are young adult women, but they definitely went through a period in their teen years where it was the push away.”
She also detailed her girls’ road to freedom: “I mean, it’s incredibly essential for my kids to feel like they’ve earned everything they have in life, and they don’t want others to think they don’t work hard or are just handed stuff. They are highly sensitive to it; they want to remain their people.”
Malia startled the world when she decided to be labeled just as Malia Ann in the short film “The Heart,” but her mother believes the decision symbolizes her daughter’s ambition to achieve success on her own terms.
The film premiered at Sundance in January 2024 and was made with assistance from Donald Glover’s firm, Gilga. Malia provides additional information in a voiceover for the YouTube video “Meet the Artist 2024.”
She said that it was about somebody grieving the death of his mother, who had also left him a request in her will. “The film is about lost objects and lonely people and forgiveness and regret, but it works hard to uncover what tenderness and closeness can exist in these things,” according to her narration.
The film credits did not include her family name, a small but important move that demonstrates her desire to create her artistic career without relying on the Obama brand. This desire for independence is strong, as her mother said, “They didn’t want to be princesses of the White House,” mirroring a feeling that has been reflected in both girls’ conscious yet modest ambitious missions since their time in Washington ended”.
However, that independence has been met with criticism. A month ago, Malia directed and voiced “Teaching the Pro,” a beautiful Nike ad.
The commercial, which delivers a message of authenticity, cultural value, and accomplishment, received accolades for its eye-catching images and emotive tone.
Nonetheless, some criticized the advertisement, seeing parallels between it and Natalie Harris’s 2020 short film “Grace.”
Natalie resorted to social media to express her dismay and amazement when she watched the Nike commercial and realized how much it resembled something she had developed.
Natalie stated in an interview with Business Insider, a few weeks after her original tweet:
“At first, I was sad and hurt—not just for myself, but for my entire team. I shared the advertisement with others who had the same response I had. One created a shot-by-shot picture comparison. I would want to see some acknowledgment. I haven’t heard from Malia Obama or Nike since I spoke up, but I’d want to see some acknowledgement.”
Natalie explained that she was first “hesitant to speak out because it involves a former president’s daughter and a beloved brand like Nike.”
Natalie continued:
“Criticizing something involving the WNBA was also hard because it means a lot to me personally, and it already gets such a lack of a spotlight. But I’ve poured too much into my work to just sit by and watch. Sometimes it can feel like filmmaking is something that’s supposed to be a hobby for the wealthy rather than something that can actually be a career.”
The young filmmaker also expressed worries about how businesses prioritize “folks who already have name recognition” above backing young and emerging talents. She was also concerned about the upcoming generation of filmmakers.
Despite the criticism, Michelle continues to speak with unshakeable pride about her daughters’ purposeful decision to pursue lives of meaning outside the shadow of political royalty.
Meanwhile, Michelle has already spoken candidly about her familial relationships. On May 13, 2025, the former first lady spoke candidly on Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” podcast about one of the first bargains she and her husband made in their marriage. What’s the agreement? Michelle is allowed to make jokes about her husband, but not the other way around.
“We have a deal, Barack and I, in our marriage, and it started very early,” she informed the actor. “It’s like, ‘I can tease you, but you cannot tease me.'” She recounted instances in which her spouse attempted to oppose the norm. Michelle claims that if the former president responds with a joke, she instantly calls him out.
She described her reply as a clear reminder that he is breaking the agreement, noting that he often answers with, “I’m teasing you,” to which she says, “None of that.”
However, Barack is outnumbered not just by the rule but also at home. “When Malia, Sasha, and I are together, he doesn’t have a chance,” she asserted. “We relentlessly pursue him. So, yeah, teasing is our love language, and I let him know.”
Humor may be the Obamas’ love language, but when it comes to public criticism, the mother of two adopts a different strategy, one based on endurance and distance. She has learned to hush the noise after years of being under the microscope. Her method of dealing with public scrutiny is straightforward: keep focused, grounded, and shut out the rest.
Speaking at SXSW, the former first lady addressed the numerous accusations that have followed her family during their tenure in the White House and in the years following. “People always ask me and Barack, how did we stay hopeful in not just the eight years that we were in the White House, but beyond?” she went on.
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The criticism was unrelenting. She recalls the rumors and false claims circulating about her husband’s birthplace, patriotism, and even his academic credentials. “Let me tell you, there was a lot of negative energy flipping our way,” stated the woman.
Instead of allowing the clamor to define them, the Obamas discovered strength through perspective. “What kept us sane, and we tried to instill this in our daughters, is that you cannot live through social media,” she told me.
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Michelle stated unequivocally that avoiding internet feedback was critical to their mental health. “I don’t think I have ever once looked at a comment section, period,” she made clear.
By setting an example, she aims to protect her own and her children’s well-being in a world where public opinion can quickly sway. Beyond the whispers and the spotlight, Michelle is embarking on a new chapter in her life, one defined by personal choice rather than responsibility.
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While Malia continues to explore her path in Hollywood, her younger sister, Sasha, has also maintained a relatively private life, focusing on her studies and staying away from the spotlight.