Michelle Obama's eldest daughter Malia reveals name change

Michelle Obama has broken her silence on her and Barack’s eldest daughter Malia’s decision to drop their family name for her professional projects - and it’s not the reaction people were expecting.

The 26-year-old and her younger sister Sasha, 23, have had to navigate growing up in the spotlight and of course, having a surname that everyone recognises.

But, Malia is not shying away from the limelight and is currently in the middle of making a name for herself in the dazzling world of Hollywood, which is far cry from her parent’s political careers.

However, she chose to use only her first name and middle name, Malia Ann, in the credits of a short film she wrote and directed, called The Heart.

The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024.

Michelle addressed Malia's name change during a recent podcast appearance (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

And now, the former First Lady, 61, has shared her honest opinion on what she really thinks about Malia’s decision during an appearance on Kate and Oliver Hudson’s podcast ‘Sibling Revelry’ on Wednesday (4 June).

Michelle revealed that her initial response was to advise: "They’re still going to know it’s you, Malia."

She also admitted ​​it’s part of a 'push away' period that the sisters are ‘still doing', according to their mum.

Michelle said on the podcast: "Our daughters are 25 and 23. They are young adult women, but they definitely went through a period in their teen years where it was the push away. … They're still doing that."

Relating to the hosts Kate and Oliver, she added: "you guys know this as the children of parents who are known.

“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."

Michelle added that Malia and Sasha are ‘very sensitive to that’ and’ they want to be their own people.’

Speaking about Malia’s decision, she continued: "She took off her last name, and we were like, they're still going to know it's you, Malia.

She admitted that it's 'important for her kids to feel like they've earned what they are getting in the world' (Gilbert Flores / Getty Images)

"But we respected the fact that she's trying to make her way."

As to be expected, the news of Malia’s name drop and mum Michelle’s reaction has done the rounds on social media - and people are seriously divided.

One user wrote in the Instagram comments of a post about the story: “Sucks to be a father and build a legacy just to have your children abandon your name.”

Others joked: “Can I get that last name off her then?” and “Girl if you don’t use that nepotism!”

A fourth reasoned: “I mean we still know she’s the daughter of Barack so idk how much it’s gonna help but cool.”

“This hilarious because she look EXACTLY like Obama,” added someone else.

Meanwhile, someone else defended Mailia, quipping: “I can understand it, just because someone is great doesn’t mean their kids also will be, that pressure and expectations will loom over you for your whole life because people expect you to be the same or have a superior mindset.”

Another agreed: “Maybe she wants to build her own legacy…lol nothing she does will remove her from the Obama family tree. It’s just time to write her own story.”