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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Michelle Obama breaks silence on daughter Malia dropping her famous last name: ‘Very sensitive'
Michelle Obama has finally revealed her honest reaction to her daughter Malia's decision to drop her famous last name. During a recent appearance on Kate and Oliver Hudson's Sibling Revelry podcast, the former first lady explained that she and Barack Obama 'respected' the 26-year-old's decision to change her name to Malia Ann as 'she's trying to make her way' in the film industry. In 2024, Malia made headlines for using her middle name, Ann, as her last name in the credits of her directorial debut short film, The Heart, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The name is a nod to her late grandmother, Ann Dunham. '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,'' said on Monday's episode, adding, 'But we respected the fact that, you know, she's trying to make her way.' 'I mean, 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,' the Becoming author went on. Michelle further noted that her daughters, Malia and Sasha, 23, 'are very sensitive to that -- they want to be their own people.' 'As they're older, I think they are embracing our parenting principles. … They have a clearer understanding of why we did a lot of what we did,' she added. The former president also addressed Malia's name change during an appearance on The Pivot Podcast last year. 'Her first film went to Sundance and all these fancy film festivals, and she didn't use Obama as a director on the credits,' Barack said at the time. He explained that when he told Malia that despite changing her name, people will 'know who you are,' she told him, 'You know what? I want them to watch it that first time and not in any way have that association.'
New York Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Michelle Obama weighs in on daughter Malia, 26, dropping her last name
Michelle Obama has weighed in on her eldest daughter Malia's decision to drop her last name in professional projects. The former First Lady said the 26-year-old is 'trying to make her way' in the film industry after it emerged that she now uses the name Malia Ann in a professional setting. 'I mean, 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 said on Kate and Oliver Hudson's 'Sibling Revelry' podcast Monday. 4 Michelle Obama has weighed in on her eldest daughter Malia's decision to drop her last name in professional projects. Tribune News Service via Getty Images 'They're very sensitive to that — they want to be their own people.' The 'Becoming' author, 61, added that both Malia and her younger sister, Sasha, 23, have wanted to to forge their own paths in life from an early age. 'They are young adult women, but they definitely went through a period in their teen years where it was the push away … [where] you're trying to distinguish yourself,' she said of her and former President Barack Obama's daughters. Malia revealed that she was ditching 'Obama' from her professional name at the premiere of her short film 'The Heart' at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The name is a sweet nod to her late grandmother Ann Dunham, who died in 1995. 4 The former First Lady said the 26-year-old is 'trying to make her way' in the film industry. WireImage 'We were like, they're still going to know it's you, Malia,' Michelle said of the name change. 'But we respected the fact that she's trying to make her way.' 'As they're older, I think they are embracing our parenting principles. They have a clearer understanding of why we did a lot of what we did,' she went on. 'They understand us as full human beings now, in the same way that I think I discovered that about my parents when I went away to college.' 4 Malia revealed that she was ditching 'Obama' from her professional name at the premiere of her short film 'The Heart' at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Getty Images Barack, for his part, spoke about his daughter's decision to drop her last name during an appearance on 'The Pivot Podcast' in October 2024. 'I was all like, 'You do know they'll know who you are,'' the former president, 63, said on the podcast. He explained that Malia wanted audiences to watch her film without thinking of her family ties. Start your day with all you need to know Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters 'And she's all like, 'You know what? I want them to watch it that first time and not in any way have that association.' So I think our daughters go out of their way to not try to leverage that.' The father of two admitted that neither of his daughters are interested in using their family name to get ahead. 4 Barack and Michelle Obama are also parents to daughter Sasha, 23. Getty Images 'I think our daughters go out of their way to not try to leverage that,' he said. 'The challenge for us is letting us give them any help at all,' Barack reiterated. 'I mean they're very sensitive about this stuff. They're very stubborn about it.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michelle Obama reveals daughter Malia Obama's name change
Michelle Obama is breaking her silence on eldest daughter Malia Obama's decision to drop her last name. Malia Ann, who is pursuing a film career in Hollywood, used her middle name as her artistic name for the credits of short film "The Heart" which she wrote and directed, that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024. During a Wednesday, June 4, appearance on the "Sibling Revelry" podcast cohosted by Oliver and Kate Hudson, Obama addressed Malia's decision to ditch Obama after former President Barack Obama's second term. The Obamas also share University of Southern California alum Sasha Obama. Michelle Obama to publish new book 'The Look' this fall and 'reclaim' fashion story "Our daughters (Malia and Sasha) 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," Obama told the Hudson siblings, noting that "you guys know this as the children of parents who are known." Michelle Obama says 'everyone' would know if she divorced Barack Obama: 'I'm not a martyr' The Hudsons are the children of actress Goldie Hawn and previously estranged dad, musician Bill Hudson, although they count Hawn's longterm partner Kurt Russell as a father figure. "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," the "Becoming" author added. "They're very sensitive to that – they want to be their own people."On Malia's first project "she took off her last name, and we were like, they're still going to know it's you, Malia," Obama continued. "But we respected the fact that she's trying to make her way." Obama told the Hudson siblings, during the appearance alongside her own brother and "IMO" podcast co-host Craig Robinson, that "our daughters didn't want to be little princesses in the White House." "They wanted to push the envelope; they needed some rope. They wanted to try some things, they wanted to be out in the world, and I knew that under the circumstances, they needed more rope than I probably would've given them if I were my mom," Obama said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Did Malia Obama change her name? Michelle Obama on daughter's change
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
David Shaw and Tarriona ‘Tank' Ball Bring the Heat to New Orleans' Musicians on Musicians Event
Even with Bourbon Street bustling outside, nothing matched the buzzy energy of The Jazz Playhouse at The Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans as musicians David Shaw of the Revivalists and Tarriona 'Tank' Ball from Tank and the Bangas sat down with Rolling Stone senior music editor Joseph Hudak for the latest installment of the 'Musicians on Musicians' series in partnership with Sonesta International Hotels. Sitting on stage, closely surrounded by Sonesta Travel Pass guests and a lucky handful of their biggest fans, Shaw and Tank bonded over their unique artistry, friendship, and connections to New Orleans. 'The real focus is how place and location influence your creativity,' said Hudak, referring to the city's culture and how deeply entwined it is with both Shaw and Tank's music. More from Rolling Stone Making Music and Memories in Myrtle Beach How TikTok Is Rewriting the Rules for Emerging Artists How to Buy 'Rolling Stone Presents: Amplified, the Immersive Rock Experience' Tickets Online Shaw described moving from Ohio to New Orleans in 2007 to work for a gas company during the rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. 'I was a construction worker and also making music,' he said. Coming from what he described as 'cowshit and cornstalks,' New Orleans 'felt so different and foreign in such an amazing way…Immediately I could tell the city had a special feeling to it.' Still, he is careful to pay homage to the local musicians whose hard work and legacy have carved out the Crescent City as a premiere destination for great live music: 'Not being from here, it's really about respect and respecting the lineage.' As a spoken-word artist, Tank—who won her first Grammy in 2025 for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album with Tank and the Bangas' The Heart, The Mind, The Soul— got her start at local open mics. 'What made my open mic night really special is it was a poetry open mic and so I always felt so comfortable to be myself because the poets were so encouraging,' she recalled. It was this support and community that provided her with the space to create her signature combination of R&B and poetry. 'New Orleans is about authenticity,' Shaw added. 'Just be you and the wind will carry you.' Both artists have been fans of each other for a long time and recently played together at this year's Jazz and Heritage Festival. 'I love a good live show and I love a good live singer,' Tank gushed to Shaw. 'You're like a rock star to me!' Mentioning her influences (which range from poets Maya Angelou and Nicky to musicians like Queen and Tina Turner), she was also quick to add, 'The Revivalists are dope, too.' Asked what people get wrong about New Orleans music, Tank and Shaw encouraged visitors and locals alike to explore the city's culture beyond the big events like Mardi Gras. 'There's an underbelly of a different type of artistry that locals make come alive,' explained Tank. 'People in New Orleans entertain every day and half the time the music is free…They pour their life into it because it is a part of us.' Following the conversation, guests refreshed their cocktails, which included spicy palomas and local rye-based favorite the Vieux Carré, snacked on beignets, then settled in for intimate sets by both artists. Shaw, playing the acoustic guitar, kicked things off with 'Come Back Home' off his solo album Take a Look Inside. He then introduced a new song 'Lost and Found,' saying, 'It's probably my favorite song I've written in awhile…I'm a pretty shy guy, but—dammit—I'm proud of this one!' After more songs and stories, he reluctantly finished with 'When You Love Somebody,' telling the audience, 'Someone's gonna have to cut me off because I'm having too much fun.' Next, Tank took the stage with the Bangas, first playing the contagiously joyful 'Spaceships' from 2019's Green Balloon. The band's energy never flagged as they moved onto songs including 'Boxes and Squares' and a cover of fellow New Orleanian Louis Armstrong's 'What a Wonderful World,' with a special spoken word addition by Tank. Calling to the happy audience, she sang, 'If you love New Orleans, say it's a wonderful world!' As the Sonesta International Hotels hosted 'Musicians on Musicians' events continue, Sonesta Travel Pass members will have the opportunity to attend and cheer on celebrated artists in multiple cities throughout this year. Stay tuned for more updates! { pmcCnx({ settings: { plugins: { pmcAtlasMG: { iabPlcmt: 1, }, pmcCnx: { singleAutoPlay: 'auto' } } }, playerId: "ac5f547a-22e1-4877-8050-448c6e0f365c", mediaId: "95d58362-53f9-4b97-b818-1f6d938d13e2", }).render("connatix_player_95d58362-53f9-4b97-b818-1f6d938d13e2_1"); }); Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Elle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
Michelle Obama Reacts to Malia's Decision to Drop Her Last Name
If you've been wondering why Malia Obama now professionally goes by 'Malia Ann,' Michelle Obama recently opened up about her decision. On Monday, the former first lady appeared on an episode of Sibling Revelry with Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson. During a conversation about parenting, Obama shared that there was a period when Malia, 26, and Sasha, 23, went through the 'push away' phase when they were teenagers. 'I mean, they're still doing that,' she said. As the children of famous parents, Malia and Sasha want to 'distinguish' themselves and chart their own paths, which she understands. 'It's very important for my kids to feel like they've earned what they are getting in the world,' she continued. 'They don't want people to assume that they don't work hard and that they're naturally just handed things. They're very sensitive to that. They want to be their own people.' She went on to speak about Malia's latest venture as a filmmaker. Last January, she premiered her debut short film The Heart at the Sundance Film Festival. In the credits, her name is listed as 'Malia Ann' and doesn't include her last name. 'We were like, 'They're still going to know it's you, Malia,' Obama quipped. 'But we respected the fact that she's trying to make her way.' The Becoming author also now feels like her daughters understand her parenting style a lot more now that they're older. 'They have a clearer understanding of why we did a lot of what we did,' she said. 'They understand us as full human beings now, in the same way that I think I discovered that about my parents when I went away to college. I think our kids are moving into that.' You can listen to the full podcast episode here.
