Malia Ann, a new face in Hollywood, steps into the limelight as she embarks on her filmmaking journey, leaving behind the shadow of her famous parents.
Formerly known as Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of Barack and Michelle Obama, Malia decided to embrace a new identity in her pursuit of a career in the film industry.
Her latest venture, "The Heart," marks her debut in Hollywood, where she opted to go by her middle name, Ann, shedding the Obama surname. The Sundance Institute's "Meet the Artist" spotlight video unveiled her new moniker, introducing her as Malia Ann, the filmmaker.
Speculations suggest that Malia's decision to distance herself from her prominent parents stems from their own foray into entertainment with their production company, "Higher Ground Productions," established in 2018.
Red Carpet Debut as Malia Ann
At the age of 25, Malia Ann graced the red carpet for the first time at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival earlier this month, marking a significant moment in her burgeoning career. She attended the premiere of her film "The Heart," captivating audiences with her directorial debut.
Interestingly, her parents, now emerging as movie moguls themselves, were notably absent from the event, allowing Malia to shine independently.
"The Heart": Malia Ann's Directorial Debut
Describing her project as "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," Malia Ann showcased her directorial prowess in "The Heart," a film produced by Donald Glover's company, Gilga.
While this marks Malia's first endeavor as a director, she has already made a mark in the industry with her writing credits, having worked as a staff writer on Glover's Amazon Prime show, "Swarm."
Praise for Malia Ann
Malia's talent has not gone unnoticed in the film industry. Colleagues and collaborators have showered her with praise, lauding her professionalism and artistic abilities.
Janine Nabers, co-creator of "Swarm," commended Malia in a Vanity Fair interview, describing her as "an incredible writer and artist."
Donald Glover also expressed admiration for Malia's skills, emphasizing that her famous lineage did not influence her treatment on set. "I feel like she's just somebody who's gonna have really good things coming soon," he remarked in an interview with Vanity Fair. "Her writing style is great. We can't be easy on her just because she's the [former] President's daughter."
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