Why doesn't Barack Obama's daughter take her father's last name when she becomes a director?

When introducing her debut film - The Heart - writer and director Malia Obama (26 years old) dropped the Obama surname from her name, replacing it with Malia Ann. Ann is Malia's middle name and the name of former President Barack Obama's late mother.

Screenwriter and director Malia Obama (26 years old)

PHOTO: HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

"I think she knows that everyone knows who she is and she wants people to see Malia's directorial debut without any association. So I think she's going to try her best not to rely on the Obama name," Barack said before his daughter's name change on The Pivot Podcast on October 29.

In the interview, Mr. Barack Obama shared that his two daughters (Malia and Sasha - 23 years old) both intend to pursue their own careers instead of relying on their parents' fame.

"The challenge for Michelle and I is how to help them with anything. I mean, they're very sensitive about this," the former president said.

Former President Barack Obama and daughter Malia Obama

Barack Obama, 63, explained that the public attention Malia and Sasha have received since they grew up and left the White House "has driven them crazy."

Recalling how political journalists covered the Obama family during his presidency, Barack explained that he essentially struck a deal with the press corps.

"I told the press, 'You can follow me everywhere, you can talk about me, do whatever you need to do. But leave my children alone because they have the right to grow up like any other normal person.' And the press took note, they left them alone," he said.

Last month, Malia attended the 50th Deauville American Film Festival in France, where she premiered her film The Heart .

Michelle, Sasha, Barack and Malia Obama on Thanksgiving 2019

Malia was honored with the Spirit of Youth award at the festival. She admitted that she was unfamiliar with red carpet life as she spoke at the event. "I'm very excited. I mean, I've never done anything like this before, so of course I'm a little scared, but I have to say excited," the young filmmaker told Paris Match in a clip shared on TikTok.

The 44th President of the United States - Barack Obama - could not help but be proud of his two daughters, praising that Malia's film was featured in "many film festivals" and that she had the opportunity to work with talents such as Emmy-winning Donald Glover. He was especially proud of how Malia and Sasha have grown despite the difficulties of being famous from a young age.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-con-gai-barack-obama-khong-mang-ho-cha-khi-lam-dao-dien-185241101150113733.htm