Malia Obama, eldest daughter of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, continues to build an independent career as a filmmaker in Los Angeles.
Professionally known as Malia Ann, the 28-year-old Harvard graduate has worked as a writer on the Amazon series Swarm and directed the short film The Heart, which premiered at Sundance in 2024. She has also directed a Nike commercial featuring WNBA star A’ja Wilson.
By dropping her surname in professional credits, Obama has sought to establish her own identity separate from her family’s political legacy. She maintains a low public profile while living and working in Los Angeles.
Recent family appearances, including the June opening of the Obama Presidential Center and birthday tributes from her parents, have briefly returned attention to her path in entertainment. Observers note her deliberate focus on creative work over public visibility.
