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Former President Barack Obama recently opened up about his eldest daughter Malia’s decision to work under a different name in her career. The 26-year-old made her directorial debut in February at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival with her film The Heart, choosing to be credited as “Malia Ann” rather than “Malia Obama.” Obama shared his thoughts on her decision during an interview on The Pivot Podcast.

“The challenge for us is letting them be independent,” Obama said, referring to both Malia and his younger daughter, Sasha, who is 23. “They’re very sensitive about this stuff. They’re very stubborn about it.”

Though Malia aims to establish herself professionally without leaning on the Obama name, her father reminded her that people would likely recognize her regardless. “I was like, ‘You do know they’ll know who you are,’” he recalled. Malia responded by saying she wants audiences to view her work without preconceived associations, a sentiment Obama respects. “Our daughters go out of their way to avoid leveraging that,” he noted.

As the Obama daughters have grown older, media attention has intensified, something they’re not particularly fond of. “There’s been some paparazzi stuff going on, and it drives them nuts,” Obama said. “Their attitude is, ‘We’re not looking for all that.’ They’re grounded.”

Obama also reflected on how he and Michelle prioritized giving Malia and Sasha a normal childhood, even making an agreement with the White House press pool to keep the girls out of the spotlight. “I said, ‘You can follow me around, talk about me, but leave my children alone because they didn’t choose this. Let them grow up.’” Obama acknowledged that, to the press’s credit, they respected his request.

Since The Heart premiered, Malia’s choice to drop her last name has sparked both support and criticism. Some labeled her a “nepo baby,” while others, like Whoopi Goldberg, defended her right to use any professional name she prefers.