PARK CITY, Utah – Malia Obama, the 25-year-old daughter of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, made her directorial debut at the Sundance Film Festival with a short film titled “The Heart.” Despite her prominent last name, Malia chose to release the film under the stage name Malia Ann in an attempt to distance herself from the “nepo baby” label.
The film, described by Malia as “an odd little story” about a man grieving the death of his mother, reflects her background in filmmaking, having studied visual and environmental studies at Harvard University. Prior to her directorial debut, Malia also worked as a writer on the Amazon Prime series “Swarm,” which premiered in March 2023.
While some fans defended Malia’s decision to use a stage name, others criticized her for trying to distance herself from her famous family. The debate on social media highlighted the challenges faced by individuals with a prominent family name entering the entertainment industry.
Despite the controversy, Malia made her red-carpet debut at Sundance, where she explained the message she hoped viewers would take away from “The Heart.” She emphasized the film’s focus on “lost objects and lonely people,” and the importance of tenderness and closeness in life.
Overall, Malia’s directorial debut has sparked discussions about the complexities of carving out an identity separate from a famous family name in the entertainment industry. Despite the mixed reactions, “The Heart” marks the beginning of Malia’s journey as an independent filmmaker.