Michelle Obama Breaks Silence on Malia’s Decision to Drop Father’s Surname

U.S Former First Lady Michelle Obama has addressed her daughter’s decision to drop her surname “Obama” in professional projects.

Malia Obama wrote and directed a film, “The Heart,” which aired at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024.

She, however, opted to drop her last name and used her middle name, Ann, for the credits of the film.

Michelle noted that she and former President Barack Obama respect Malia’s decision to drop her last name in professional settings.

“Malia, who started in film, I mean, her first project — she took off her last name, and we were like, they’re still going to know it’s you, Malia. But we respected the fact that she’s trying to make her way,” Michelle said.

She mentioned that Malia and Sasha are young adults who have gone through a phase of trying to define their own identities.

“Our daughters are 25 and 23. They are young adult women, but they went through a period in their teen years where it was the push away, where you’re trying to distinguish yourself,” Michelle said.

Michelle defended Malia’s decision, arguing that it allows her to feel she has earned her success.

Working Hard and Following Their Paths

Additionally, Michelle stated that their daughters do not want people to think they are not working hard and simply receive everything they desire.

She emphasised that Malia and Sasha want to carve their own path and be “their own people.”

“I mean, it is very important for my kids to feel like they’ve earned what they are getting in the world, and they don’t want people to assume that they don’t work hard, that they’re just naturally, just handed things,” she said.

“They’re very sensitive to that — they want to be their own people.”

Furthermore, Michelle noted that Malia and Sasha understand their mode of parenting as they grow older.

Also Read: Trump Issues New Travel Ban Targeting 10 African Countries

Obama Defends Their Parenting Decisions

Michelle emphasised that their daughters now comprehend why they made certain decisions.

“As they’re older, I think they are embracing our parenting principles. They have a clearer understanding of why we did a lot of what we did,” Michelle added.

“They understand us as full human beings now, in the same way that I think I discovered that about my parents when I went away to college.”

Also Read: Michelle Obama Addresses Divorce Rumors, 32 Years Since Getting Married

Exploring the World

Michelle stated the two did not want to be “little princesses in the White House.”

She said the young women wanted to explore the world and try various things.

Michelle said their daughters wished to test limits and needed some freedom and space to make their own choices.

“They wanted to push the envelope, needed some rope and wanted to try some things.They wanted to be out in the world, and I knew that under the circumstances, they needed more rope than I probably would’ve given them if I were my mum,” she said.

Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.