Latest news with #MaliaObama
The Independent
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Michelle Obama ‘glad' she didn't have a son: ‘He would've been a Barack Obama'
Former First Lady Michelle Obama says she's 'so glad' none of her children was a boy because that hypothetical child would've carried a heavy burden — his famous father's name. Speaking on her 'IMO' podcast alongside radio host Angie Martinez and her brother, Craig Robinson, the ex-first lady was discussing the challenges of raising boys in today's society when she exclaimed: 'I'm so glad I didn't have a boy.' When Martinez asked why she and her husband, former President Barack Obama, didn't try for a son to complement their two daughters, Sasha and Malia, Obama replied: 'Because he would've been a Barack Obama!' Martinez said a 'baby Barack' would've been 'amazing,' at which point the former First Lady said she 'would've felt for him,' referring to the hypothetical son under discussion. Robinson, the current executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, jumped in by stating that his sister and her husband 'just borrowed our boys,' referring to the children he has had from his two marriages over the years. The former first lady's relief at not having had a male child stems from the fact that her husband, whose full name is Barack Hussein Obama II, would have likely elected to name him Barack Obama III. The 44th president, who was the first Black person to serve as America's chief executive, was named for his father, Barack Hussein Obama. The elder Obama was a Kenyan economist and government official who met the future president's mother, anthropologist Stanley Ann Dunham, while they were both studying at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in the 1960s.
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Michelle Obama enjoys intimate lunch with longtime male friend as she jets off on lavish Spain getaway WITHOUT Barack
Michelle Obama and her daughters were pictured enjoying lunch at an exclusive club on the idyllic Spanish island of Mallorca. In photos obtained exclusively by the Daily Mail, the former first lady, 61, kept a low profile in large, stylish sunglasses and a multi-colored print dress, while dining at The Lobster Club in Puerto Portals. Michelle, 61, was joined by James Costos, 62, former US ambassador to Spain and his partner Michael Smith, 62, the Obamas' longtime interior designer and former White House decorator‑in‑chief. Aspiring filmmaker Malia, 26, looked chic in a black polka dot halter neck crop top and a black mini skirt and flashed her toned stomach. Younger sister Sasha, 24, flaunted her effortlessly style in an oversized off the shoulder white tee and a long pleated brown skirt. Notably not in attendance: former President Barack Obama. Michael and James have been longtime friends of the Obamas and hosted the family many times at their Rancho Mirage home in Palm Springs, California. 'When they were here, it occurred to me that more than 50 years ago JFK had stayed just down the road at Bing Crosby's home,' Michael told Architectural Digest in 2017. 'The President and Mrs Obama basically woke up in the morning to the same view of the valley. There was something lovely about that thought. 'It made me contemplate all the change that has taken place in those decades, contrasting with the timelessness of this beautiful desert landscape.' This group outing comes amid ongoing rumors about the state of Michelle and Barack's marriage status over the last several months. Michelle dismissed speculation about her marriage and addressed the rumors head on during a podcast episode of The Diary of a CEO in May. During the episode, she told the hosts, 'If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it.' Michelle also praised her husband on her latest podcast episode as a 'tremendous father.' She said that even when Barack was president, he left the job at the door whenever he talked to his daughters to help cultivate their formative years. Rumors surrounding the Obama's relationship began when Michelle skipped several high-profile events, including Donald Trump's inauguration and former President Jimmy Carter's funeral. Michelle's lunch trip comes just days after she appeared on Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang's Las Culturistas podcast where she made it clear she doesn't like being referred to as 'Mrs. Obama'. During their sit-down, Matt revealed that before cameras started rolling, Michelle had asked him not to call her 'Mrs. Obama.' 'Earlier I was like, "Thank you so much, Mrs. Obama," and you said, "Michelle,"' Rogers said. 'I did say that,' Michelle responded with a laugh, before explaining why she likes to avoid the name. 'We cannot have a real conversation if you're saying, "Mrs Obama," that's too many syllables,' the former first lady protested. Matt then asked if she is usually quick to 'put down that shield for people,' and Michelle claimed that she's generally tries to appear less intimidating. 'I was trying to do that when I was first lady because I just think... I am not that position. I am Michelle,' she explained. 'I'm always trying to break down that wall to say, "We're just all here,"' she continued. 'And the first thing to do is like, let's drop that title, that's a little heavy.' 'I know what we call her - your Highness,' her brother and podcast co-host Craig quipped. 'Well, it's great to be on a first name basis,' Matt joked.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Why nepo babies are dropping their 'imprisoning' last names
What's in a name? Well, for the children of celebrity parents, a famous last name can open doors to a world of opportunity. 'Nepo', short for 'nepotism,' babies are the offspring of celebrities or influential individuals who've gained career advantages due to their parents' notoriety – whether it's in the entertainment industry, professional sports, business or modeling. But these nepo babies have received widespread backlash in recent years, with critics pointing out how their privilege has given them opportunities that someone of a lesser socioeconomic status might be more deserving of. Whether it's to break free from the criticism, or from their own parents entirely, a select few of these celebrity children are dropping their famous last names in an effort to carve out a career for themselves. Most recently, Malia Obama – the eldest daughter of former US president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama – dropped her last name when she premiered her short film at Sundance Film Festival in 2024. The 26-year-old was instead listed as 'Malia Ann' – opting to use her middle name – in the credits of her movie, The Heart, which she made with megastar Donald Glover. Meanwhile, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's daughter Shiloh Jolie debuted her new name during a rare public appearance in Los Angeles last week. The 19-year-old was simply introduced as 'Shi' as she unveiled her choreographed dance routine at an Isabel Marant fashion event. The name change comes one year after she legally dropped Pitt from her last name - she officially filed the petition on her 18th birthday. However, this so-called trend of nepo babies ditching their famous surnames isn't new. When actor Nicholas Cage (born Nicolas Coppola) changed his name early in his career so as not to be as easily associated with his director uncle, Francis Ford Coppola, he was able to fly somewhat under the radar - there was no social media to remind everyone who his relatives are. Louisa Jacobson, The Gilded Age star and youngest daughter of Oscar winner Meryl Streep and sculptor Don Gummer, goes by her middle name to avoid confusion with another actress named Louisa Gummer. Even Shiloh's own mother changed her name from Angelina Voight – the last name of her controversy-ridden father, actor Jon Voight – and legally adopted the surname 'Jolie' in 2002. Undoubtedly, these celebrity children of the past still managed to chart their own successful paths, despite adopting a new moniker. But according to brand strategist Rachael Kay Albers, when it comes to celebrity children like Malia and Shiloh – whose personal lives have been in the spotlight since their early adolescence – it's far more difficult to shed their former self. 'Nepo babies are changing their names for two main reasons: they want to stand on their own two feet – artistically, career-wise – or they want to live a quiet life and they don't want to be in the limelight,' Albers told the Daily Mail. 'What's unique about Malia and Shiloh is this generational difference,' she explained. 'The coverage surrounding these kids has changed so dramatically, and with the internet and the constant access to celebrity kids, it means when we look back at the celebrity children of Boomers compared to Gen Z or Gen Alpha kids, we're watching it happen in real time.' Former first lady Michelle Obama recently broke her silence on her eldest daughter's name change, revealing on her Sibling Revelry podcast that her daughters Malia and Sasha started 'pushing away' from her and her husband as teens. The mother of two said she believes her daughters distanced themselves because they wanted to 'distinguish themselves' from their famous parents. 'They're still doing that, and you guys know this of children with parents who are known,' Obama said. 'It's very important for my kids to feel like they've earned what they are getting in the world.' Albers agreed that the increasing trend is in an effort to transform their identity away from how they've been perceived by the world their whole lives. 'I think what we're observing here with this new breed of celebrity kids is when they go out there and change their name, it's not because they want to lose the connection to their parents,' she said. 'It's more that we're actively watching this person reshape their identity in public.' This 'rebrand', as Albers calls it, can be hard when your life is constantly being publicized and dissected by the media. In Shiloh's case, she's sharing the spotlight with her parents' bitter divorce battle. Exes Jolie and Brad Pitt officially finalized their messy divorce in December 2024, eight years after the actress filed for a dissolution of marriage in September 2016. Since then, the private details surrounding their split have been made public, including abuse accusations against Pitt stemming from an incident on a private jet, in which all six of their children were present. Pitt has continued to deny the claims of abuse and was cleared by law enforcement following an investigation. Pitt remains largely estranged from his children in the wake of the divorce, and Shiloh wasn't the only one to change her name - both Zahara, 20, and Vivienne, 16, have publicly or professionally dropped Pitt's last name. Pitt and Jolie's daughter Zahara, 20, introduced herself as 'Zahara Jolie' during a sorority event at Spelman College last year 'When we entangle our names with our livelihoods, all is well and good if you build a following and grow a career with that name,' Albers said. 'But if you are transforming, if your family is transforming, suddenly now you're really imprisoned by your name and its associations with your family and all of the press.' Much like a real-life company rebrand, such as Dunkin' Donuts now going by Dunkin' or the infamous change from Twitter to X, the decision to rebrand yourself isn't always accepted by the general public. 'Any time a brand changes its name and changes its logo or slogan, the brand is betting on the idea that the audience is gonna go along with it. But sometimes there's backlash,' Albers said. Indeed, the decision to publicly distance yourself from the same family that got you where you are today should be regarded with some courage. But the real challenge will be whether the masses choose to accept you by this altered identity. Albers said, after all, 'They'll never forget you're Malia Obama.'
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Barack and Michelle Obama put on brave face with daughters amid divorce rumors and name changes
Barack and Michelle Obama are celebrating their youngest daughter as she marks her 24th birthday, despite the swirling rumors about their marriage. Michelle Obama shared a photo to her Instagram of the family seemingly on vacation together and she issued a heartfelt message to Sasha. 'Happy birthday to my sweet girl, Sasha! Can't believe how quickly time has flown. I'm so proud of the woman you've become. Love you always!' Michelle wrote. The Obamas have been married for 32 years but have faced ongoing rumors about their marriage status over the last several months. The couple's eldest daughter Malia has also dropped her famous surname and is now going by Malia Ann professionally. Michelle last month dismissed speculation about marital issues and addressed the rumors head on during an episode of the podcast The Diary of a CEO. 'If I were having problems with my husband, everybody would know about it,' she said. Michelle has publicly supported Malia's decision, emphasizing that she wants her daughter to 'carve her own path' and 'make her way'. The rumors were only fueled by Michelle's noticeable absence from several high-profile events this year; including January's presidential inauguration and the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter. In March, Michelle also skipped their usual courtside seats at the NBA All-Star Game. The couple were spotted out on a date night in NYC two weeks ago, after having also been seen going out to dinner in DC the month before. Social media and the tabloids have all served to amplify claims that the couple may soon be heading for a split. On a recent podcast Michelle revealed how she is in therapy to help her transition to what she thinks is the 'next phase' of her life. During the episode, Michelle acknowledged that marriage is 'hard' for her and the former president but added that 'I wouldn't trade it,' calling President Obama, 'as the young people say... my person.' 'The beauty of my husband and our partnership is that neither one of us was ever really, ever going to quit at it, because that's not who we are. And I know that about him. He knows that about me.' Michelle has been open about her marriage struggles throughout the years and particularly on her new podcast, IMO (In my Opinion), which she hosts with her brother Craig Robinson.
USA Today
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Here's why Malia Obama changed her name
Here's why Malia Obama changed her name Former First Daughter Malia Obama is trying to make her way in the world of film, but you might not know it right away thanks to a slight name change. Malia, the eldest daughter of former president Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle, is now 26 years old and has had some success directing with a 2024 short film Heart and a 2025 Nike ad featuring WNBA star A'ja Wilson. On her professional projects, the aspiring filmmaker has dropped her famous last name, instead going by Malia Ann, her first and middle name. Michelle Obama recently addressed the name change on Kate Hudson's "Sibling Revelry" podcast: "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,'" the former First Lady told Hudson and co-host Oliver (Hudson's brother). "But we respected the fact that, you know, she's trying to make her way." With her films showing at festivals like Sundance, it is understandable that Malia would want first impressions of the project to be based on merit, not the connection with the name Obama. "Her first film went to Sundance and all these fancy film festivals, and she didn't use Obama as a director on the credits," the 44th president said in 2024 on "The Pivot Podcast" with Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway. "I was all like, 'You do know they'll know who you are.' And she was like, 'You know what? I want them to watch it that first time and not in any way have that association.'"
