Growing up in front of the eyes of the public isn’t something Malia Obama is not familiar with. Being the daughter of the former president of the United States, Barak Obama, she has spent her life under the limelight, and even today, the media is interested in her every move.
The 25-year-old just presented her directorial debut, The Heart, at the Sundance Film Festival. In the Sundance Institute’s “Meet the Artist” spotlight video, Malia Obama revealed she was going by the name Malia Ann, thus ditching her moniker.
Malia, who was born Malia Ann Obama on July 4, 1998, has her middle name honoring her paternal grandmother, who died from ovarian cancer at the age of 52 in 1995, and now, she has dropped her last name in favor of her middle name.
Speaking of the short film for which she served as both director and screenwriter, Malia said. “This is an odd little story, somewhat of fable, about a man grieving the death of his mother after she leaves him an unusual request in her will.” Further, in the YouTube clip of the short film, she wrote, “The film is about lost objects and lonely people and forgiveness and regret, but I also think it works hard to uncover where tenderness and closeness can exist in these things.”
The Heat isn’t her first attempt into the profession. Previously, the Harvard grad worked in the writers’ room on Donald’s Amazon Prime show Swarm, co-writing the fifth episode, “Girl, Bye.”
“She’s a very professional person,” Swarm‘s co-creator Janine Nabers said Malia in a January 2023 Vanity Fair interview. “She’s an incredible writer and artist. She made significant contributions… She’s very, truly committed to her craft.”
Swarm‘s executive producer Stephen Glover also spoke of Malia. “We can’t be easy on her just because she’s the [former] President’s daughter,” he told Vanity Fair. “No, she is really down-to-earth and cool. So it’s not an issue at all.”
Malia Obama isn’t the first celebrity who made the decision to ditch their family name. Other celebs have done that before, including Nicolas Cage, who changed his last name from Coppola, and Angelina Jolie, who dropped her surname, Voight.
For her directorial debut, Malia looked cozy, with minimal makeup, her curly hair down with small braids scattered throughout.
Heart’s “Stairway to Heaven” performance brought tears to the eyes of the members of Led Zeppelin
Immerse yourself in a powerful and emotional rendition of “Stairway to Heaven” by rock band Heart. While Led Zeppelin’s original version remains iconic, Heart brings a unique and heartfelt twist to this classic rock anthem.
In 2012, Led Zeppelin was honored with the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, recognizing their monumental influence on rock music. Presented by then-President Barack Obama, this tribute recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to American culture alongside legends such as Frank Sinatra, Joni Mitchell, Sammy Davis Jr. and Ella Fitzgerald.
Led Zeppelin’s influence extends across all genres and inspires a wide range of artists, from Def Leppard and Metallica to Alice Cooper, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Madonna, Beastie Boys and even Lady Gaga. Her enduring legacy makes Heart’s tribute to her all the more poignant.
Check out the video below to experience Heart’s moving rendition of “Stairway to Heaven”, a tribute that honors the enduring influence of Led Zeppelin.
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