Malia Obama premieres her film The Heart at Sundance and drops the surname, crediting herself as “Malia Ann” as she steps into writing and directing.
Malia Obama launches her film career—under a new name
Malia Obama, 25, is stepping into Hollywood on her own terms—and with a new professional name. For her directing debut, she dropped her famous surname and was credited simply as “Malia Ann.”
Her short film The Heart premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where she was listed as both writer and director. The choice to use her middle name is a nod to her family history—Malia Ann honors her late grandmother—and a clear signal that she wants her work to stand on its own.
From the White House to the writers’ room
Raised in the public eye and later graduating from Harvard, Malia has been quietly building her creative résumé. She worked in the writers’ room on the Amazon series Swarm, which featured stars like Billie Eilish and Rory Culkin.
Co-creator Janine Nabers praised Malia’s talent, calling her pitches “wild” (in the best way) and saying she’s “an incredible writer” who brings a lot to the table. Executive producer Stephen Glover added that she was treated like any other member of the team—down-to-earth, focused, and dedicated.
A proud family—and a fresh start
Parents Barack and Michelle Obama have shared how proud they are as Malia charts her own path. Now, with The Heart and the “Malia Ann” byline, she’s setting a tone for her career: earn it with the work.
Why the name change matters
It separates her creative identity from politics and fame
It honors family while carving out independence
It signals a long-term focus on writing and directing
From Malia Obama to “Malia Ann,” the message is clear: a new artist is here, and the spotlight is on the work.
Quick Facts (Skimmable)
Professional name: Malia Ann
Debut: Writer/director of The Heart at Sundance
Background: Harvard grad; writer on Swarm
Parents: Barack & Michelle Obama
Focus: Screenwriting, directing, independent projects
