Podcast guest Pivotonline since October 29, the former President of the United States explained the reasons which push his eldest daughter not to be known under the name Obama.
But who is Malia Ann? This is Malia Obama, Barack Obama's eldest daughter. For her very first film as screenwriter and director, The Heartthe 26-year-old young woman chose not to appear under her birth name. Instead, she preferred to replace it with her middle name, Ann, which is also the name of her maternal grandmother, who died in 1995. A child who decides to no longer use their last name, this can be a subject delicate for some parents. Barack Obama confided his reaction to former American football players Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder for their podcast Pivot.
Getting out of “daughter of” status
What was the former US president's reaction when his daughter told him that she would be called Malia Ann in her professional life? “I was like, 'You know they'll know who you are,'” he says in the podcast Pivot. A skepticism that failed to discourage her daughter. “She said to me, ‘You know what? I want people to watch him (his film editor's note) for the first time without making this association.” So I think our girls are doing everything they can to not try to take advantage of this situation.”
A “daughter of” who does everything not to base her success on the notoriety of her parents, the ambition is laudable. And yet, this would tend to cause tensions between Barack and Michelle Obama and their daughters. Carl's youngest daughter, Sasha, joins her eldest on this point. “The challenge for Michelle and I is to let ourselves give them any help,” the former president said. I mean they are very sensitive about it, very stubborn.”
Malia Ann's success
Whatever her father says, Malia Obama launched into the cinema, relieved of her famous last name and it seems to be successful for her. It was therefore more or less incognito that Malia Ann presented her first 18-minute short film, The Heart, during the 50th Deauville American Film Festival last September. A first success as well since she received the Nouvelle Génération prize. His film tells the story of a grieving son who must face his mother's unexpected last wish, written in her will. “The film is about lost objects, lonely people, forgiveness and regrets,” explains Malia in her presentation video. But I also think he's trying to find out where tenderness and closeness can exist in these things.”