Perhaps in a bid to show that she doesn’t need her privileged background to achieve her life’s goals, the first child of Michelle and former President Barack Obama, Malia, has dropped her surname and has adopted a new last name ‘Ann,’ as she premiered her first movie as a director of the movie, The Heart, at the Sundance Film Festival.
Malia Obama, born on July 4, 1998, now chooses to be called Malia Ann.
Malia made her directorial debut at Sundance, walking the red carpet at the event. She also debuted her Hollywood stage name: Malia Ann. Ann is her middle name.
The name was revealed in Sundance’s ‘Meet the Artist’ where she talks about her film The Heart.
According to her, “[the movie is] an odd little story, somewhat of a fable, about a man grieving the death of his mother after she leaves him an unusual request in her will.
“The film is about lost objects, lonely people, forgiveness, and regret.
“We hope that you enjoy the film, and that it makes you feel a bit less lonely or at least reminds you to not forget about the people who are.”
It is believed that her middle name is chosen in honor of her paternal grandmother Ann, who died in 1995 at the age of 52 from ovarian cancer.
Malia focuses to become a screenwriter with a degree majoring in Visual and Environmental Studies from the prestigious Harvard University.
She directed and wrote the script for her movie, The Heart, under her new name, Malia Ann.
The movie was first premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in early February.
As a member of the writing team for the Amazon Prime Show Swarm, which debuted in 2021, it was Malia’s first step into the movie business. With Rory Culkin and Billie Eilish in the group, Swarm was a good start to her career.
See the various reactions to her debut as film director:
James: Going by a stage name is a good move for her. That is what Nicolas Cage did to avoid being labeled as “F. F. Coppola’s nephew”.
Michael: It’s a good move but unlike Nicolas Cage, shes grown up in the spotlight as part of one of the most recognizable families in America. In this case, creating a stage name is a joke.
Gary: Just another case of a wealthy well-place young adult starting the 400 meter race of life with a 200 meter head start. The family one is born into is the greatest indicator that one will be successful as an adult. Without question, those born into wealthy families have the greatest chance of succeeding as adults. Those who are born into poor families are least likely to be successful as adults. In regard to the former and the latter, there are exceptions to the rule, but they are just that – exceptions.
Mikaela: She is the daughter of a former U.S. President. Of course, all doors will open for her.
Someone disagrees with this view, though:
Charlotte: So, people get doors opened for many reasons. Would you want your children to turn down a great door because a family friend offered it? Her family worked their way up over generations. She isn’t trying to use her parents fame and I admire that. Hollywood is full of families that have generations of actors, directors, writers and more.
Traveler: Nope, nepo alert. She would be flipping burgers if not for her last name and the money associated with it. Too bad she could not use her entitlement to be useful to humanity, doctor, nurse, etc.
SomeBodyOutThere: You have no idea how difficult the business is when you are not connected. She’s a nepo baby.
Perite: You have no idea how difficult the business is when you don’t have talent. There are plenty of people who had tremendous talent that started from nothing. Robert Rodriguez is the first one that comes to mind. You don’t even need to have state of the art equipment, if you have creative talent. See “Blair Witch Project” shot on 16mm film and a $35,000 budget and made $250 million in box office receipts. You haven’t even seen Malia’s project and you’re not even offering criticism of that. Just projecting jealousy.
LostTime: Lol, oh, am I supposed to just accept that some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouth while other people are not and if you are not born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you should applaud those who have been blessed with that spoon in their mouth and just accept that you will need to work even harder to have less. You know, the you will own nothing and be happy garbage. SMH
Perite: Are you even listening to yourself? Why can’t you accept that some people are born with “a silver spoon in their mouth”. If you’re unable to accept a fact, then “sad little creature” is an apt description. I would also add “green with envy” and unhappy with the cards that have been dealt you. Change yourself and become happy.
LostTime replying to Perite: She has a silver spoon in her mouth because her father became president and eventually ultra rich like all politicians do while the working class becomes just a little bit poorer so excuse me if I find that disgusting and no reason to think what she is doing now is something to be applauded. Oh, lol, I am not jealous of her. I just do not want to become poorer while elites like herself become even richer because of their politics. And I am very happy except when I read garbage articles like this applauding the offspring of vile people who govern the rest of us and do not make our life easier with their political viewpoints foisted on the rest of us.
