Barack Obama Opens Up About Malia’s Decision to Drop His Last Name: ‘Very Stubborn’

Former President Barack Obama opened up about his daughter Malia’s choice to forgo the family name in a professional setting, particularly during her directorial debut.

Barack Obama talks about Malia dropping her last name.

Malia, 26, opted to be credited as “Malia Ann” for her film “The Heart,” which premiered at Sundance and other prestigious film festivals.

In a recent episode of the “Pivot” podcast, Obama explained that he advised her against this decision, noting that her identity would still be recognised despite the omission.

Obama gets candid on his family during a recent podcast episode.

“I was all like, ‘You do know they’ll know who you are,’” Obama recalled. He shared that Malia wanted her work to be appreciated without the immediate association with her parents.

“She’s all like, ‘I want them to watch it that first time and not in any way have that association,’” he added.

Malia Ann Obama at the “The Heart” premiere during the Sundance Film Festival. Getty Images

The former president, who also has a younger daughter, Sasha, 23, with former First Lady Michelle Obama, acknowledged that both his daughters intentionally avoid leveraging their family name for personal gain.

“I think our daughters go out of their way not to try to leverage that,” he stated, emphasising their sensitivity and stubbornness.

Malia Ann Obama at the opening ceremony of the 50th American Film Festival in Deauville, France, in September. Reynaud Julien/APS-Medias/ABACA/Shutterstock

Malia’s decision sparked a mixed reaction online after news broke in February about her directorial credit. Critics of X expressed their disdain, suggesting she was attempting to distance herself from her famous parents. Comments ranged from calling her a “no baby” to questioning the credibility of her entertainment career, highlighting her previous internships and opportunities.

Malia, and her mom, First Lady Michelle Obama, share a hug onstage NurPhoto via Getty Images

President Obama is joined by Michelle and Malia after his farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago in 2017. Tribune News Service via Getty Images

However, “The View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg defended Malia’s choice, pointing out that she can identify herself as she wishes. “If she knows she’s an Obama, why do you care?” Goldberg said. “If she wanted to call herself Jeanette MacDonald, she has the right to! If I can be Whoopi Goldberg, she can be whoever she wants!”