Malia Obama was eager to embark on her independent journey even before graduating from high school, and certainly after completing her college education.
But that didn’t mean she wasn’t still under her parents’ umbrella, if not always their roof.
Michelle Obama shared in an interview with SiriusXM’s Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa on April 29, that it was quite a task to shield daughters Malia, 26, and Sasha Obama, 23, from the glare of tabloids during their younger years, and she noted that this became increasingly challenging as they grew older.
Previously, the ex-first lady stated, “They needed to drive, attend proms, play on sports teams, visit other schools for college searches, party, drink, experiment with smoking, and engage in all sorts of typical teenage activities. And every weekend was a stressful ordeal for us, as we had to ensure their normal teenage experiences didn’t end up in the gossip columns.
Despite the intense scrutiny they faced as the First Family, being the first child didn’t necessarily have any major drawbacks in the broader picture of their lives.
Michelle jokingly referred to it as the “Obama tax” for them. Regardless, it’s something you’ll carry forward throughout your life, but keep in mind that there are numerous advantages associated with it as well.
As a lifestyle expert, I find myself striving to help others acclimate to new situations smoothly. It’s crucial to ensure they don’t develop an inflated sense of self-importance regarding these changes. Instead, my goal is to guide them in understanding that this transformation doesn’t revolve around them personally. Rather, it’s about carrying on with their everyday lives as normally as possible.
Following her graduation from Sidwell Friends School in Washington D.C., Malia deferred her admission to Harvard for a year. During this time, she explored and worked in New York City, much like a typical young adult, except for the added presence of the Secret Service.
In July 2016, she embarked on a journey alongside Sasha, her mother, and grandmother Marian Robinson, to both Liberia and Morocco. This trip was aimed at supporting the Let Girls Learn Initiative. As tradition goes, the Obama family also vacationed in Martha’s Vineyard during their usual summer break.
As the year drew to a close, I embarked on an under-the-radar journey that took me to the heart of Peru and Bolivia for 83 days. During this time, I immersed myself in the daily life of a local family residing in Tiquipaya, a town that became my temporary home. It wasn’t until I returned to the United States that the news of my absence was revealed.
Gregorio Mamani, one of the guides during Malia’s five-day hike through the Cordillera Real mountain range, shared with The New York Times that she was exceptionally friendly, fluent in Spanish, and humble. It was apparent that Malia was deeply captivated by the breathtaking Bolivian scenery. Although there was no added security, everyone on the expedition was responsible for taking care of themselves. According to reports, Malia contributed well, handling her fair share of cooking and other tasks.
In early 2017, she worked as an intern for The Weinstein Company, which later in that year faced reports of sexual assault and harassment allegations against its producer Harvey Weinstein, about whom the Obamas expressed their disgust. This was her second job in the entertainment industry, following a previous engagement on the set of Girls in 2015.
Over these past ten blissful days, I’ve been immersed in the enchanting beauty of Bali, side by side with the remarkable Obama family. But as August’s gentle breeze whispers through the palm trees, it’s time for a bittersweet farewell. Michelle and Barack Obama, my beloved role models, are preparing to entrust their eldest child to the hallowed grounds of Harvard – a milestone that warms my heart, even from afar.
At a gathering about a month following Malia’s move to her dorm, the ex-president expressed that he felt a sense of pride for not shedding tears in her presence. However, upon returning, the Secret Service maintained a stoic demeanor, feigning ignorance as I subtly sniffled and wiped my nose. It was an emotionally challenging moment for me.
Malia wasn’t the initial daughter of a past U.S. president to attend the prestigious Ivy League school in Cambridge, Massachusetts that she did, but Caroline Kennedy in the 1970s didn’t encounter social media platforms like Facebook in the dorm where it was born.
Malia Obama, the oldest daughter of former President Barack Obama, resided in the White House from when she was 10 years old until she turned 18. This age range allowed her to have a taste of the Eloise-at-the-Plaza kind of experience, yet she was mature enough to be aware of the significant amount of criticism leveled at her family by cable news networks, social media platforms like Twitter (now X), and on more than one occasion, Capitol Hill.
As an overly enthusiastic admirer, I’d like to share a thought: “When my kids are shielded by the Secret Service, it feels like I need to double my efforts to give them a typical life,” I mused to Kelly Ripa. “Visualize arranging the first play date or the initial invitation to one. Having my children at your home required an advance team to probe and scrutinize your house, inquiring about potential drugs and weapons.
During the Obama administration, the usual close examination reserved for the presidency expanded significantly to include the first lady and their children. This level of scrutiny was unparalleled compared to previous administrations. In the fall of 1997, Chelsea Clinton left for Stanford at a time when such scrutiny was at its peak.
In 2017, Jenna Bush Hager and her twin sister Barbara Bush, who were accustomed to being in the public eye due to their father’s presidency, shared some sage advice with the Obama sisters on how to handle life beyond the White House.
In a public statement, they expressed that college life should be savored since many people are familiar with this experience. Moreover, they pointed out that the burden of global responsibilities will not longer rest on your youthful shoulders, allowing you to: delve into your interests, discover your identity, and even make errors – as it is part of the process.
Keep cherishing relationships with friends who truly understand you, appreciate you, and stand by you unwaveringly. Those who criticize you may not value you, and their opinions shouldn’t carry much significance. Instead, focus on nurturing your own feelings of love and self-worth.
As a die-hard admirer, let me share this tidbit: Before settling down at her new academic abode, Malia made an appearance at the electrifying Lollapalooza in Chicago. It’s said that during the festivities, she experienced a minor hiccup – losing her iPhone! A quick visit to the Apple Store was required to sort out the glitch.
In the hallowed grounds of Harvard Yard, spanning centuries, my college experience was remarkably ordinary, save for the limelight that trailed me before I arrived. On the first day of my freshman year, I respectfully greeted a Boston Globe reporter but declined an interview and refrained from sharing any opening-day tales. For the most part, I was recognized yet afforded privacy to navigate through my college life on my own terms.
At a 2018 event, Michelle shared some guidance she gave to Malia: “Try to avoid making headlines in the gossip column, Page Six,” she said. It’s unclear whether Malia has achieved this goal. (According to Page Six’s reporting.)
Malia was never shy of public attention; she was frequently spotted at football games, socializing with friends, and occasionally going out on dates. Yet, she didn’t actively seek the spotlight. Her college peers gave her space, although her off-campus activities were often captured by photographers using long-range cameras.
Regardless of where she was or what she wore – whether it was smoking a cigarette at the football field or sporting braids and gym attire after a Soul Cycle session – there was simply no way to make people disengage from her interest.
Michelle remarked during the Obama Foundation summit in Chicago, held in November 2017, as reported by InStyle, that sometimes parents may overprotect their children due to past struggles they’ve faced. She and Barack, she explained, chose not to pity Malia and Sasha for living in a high-profile environment where every mistake could go viral, or for not having unrestricted access to their father. Instead of sympathizing with them, they recognized that although their life had its challenges, it was ultimately good.
It appears that the Obama family’s balanced, firm yet gentle parenting style has been beneficial for their daughters, who have largely avoided major dramas in their lives.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight in May 2017, I shared a playful thought: I might purchase an apartment near their campus and attend their classes as a silent observer. However, it’s just a jest, I said. What I truly look forward to is witnessing their growth on campus, gaining work experience, traveling, and seizing those precious independent moments that will mold them into exceptional individuals.
As a proud father, I’m thrilled to see my girls making their mark on the world! Sasha is all set to graduate from USC in May 2023, a significant milestone that’s just around the corner. Meanwhile, Malia is shining at the Sundance Film Festival 2024 with her short film titled “The Heart,” presented under her stage name, Malia Ann. I couldn’t be more proud of their achievements and the paths they’re choosing!
And it turns out the Obamas knew what they were doing.
In an interview with TopMob News in April 2023, Dominique Fishback (from Swarm) expressed her admiration for Malia, one of the writers on the Prime Video series. She finds Malia incredibly intelligent and cool. All she wishes is to learn about Malia’s future plans.
The co-creator of the series, Janine Nabers, also highly commended Malia, referring to her as an “exceptional writer.” According to Janine, Malia’s first credited episode was likely one of the most daring of the season. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, she praised the rising star, stating that Malia is “truly committed” and “devoted” to her work in the entertainment industry.
Initially well-known, Malia didn’t receive any preferential treatment, as Donald Glover, co-creator of Swarm and also the producer of The Heart, clarified to Vanity Fair.
Or, more colloquially:
From the get-go, Malia was a big name, but Donald Glover, who made Swarm and produces The Heart, told Vanity Fair that she wasn’t given any special privileges.
He joked that simply because she is the president’s daughter, we shouldn’t be lenient towards her. However, he added that she is genuinely grounded and likable, so there’s no issue with her at all.
Nor does she seem like the “do you know who I am?” type.
Ever since I graduated from Harvard with a Visual and Environmental Studies degree in 2021, I’ve been as tight-lipped as a queen guarding her secrets.
She exhibits a queenly discretion, seldom engaging in interviews, steering clear of scandals that might appear in public records, and if she utilizes social media, it is primarily for a trusted group of confidants.
Because partially due to the DC device safeguarding her and mainly because of her poised conduct, she has no scandals or dubious quotes associated with her.
Jenna, a former first daughter, expressed, “It’s amazing to witness Malia and Sasha blossom into extraordinary, self-reliant women. Frankly, it was something we always expected of them.
Since they initially settled into the White House, “we noticed those bright lights back then,” the host of TODAY shared with TopMob News in November 2022. “Reflecting on how drastically their lives—and mine—have transformed over the past 14 years fills me with a sense of pride and a hint of emotion. It’s hard to believe it’s been 14 years.”
In April 2022, their mother pointed out a significant shift in their lives when she mentioned to Ellen DeGeneres that both of her daughters had partners. However, it turned out that this wasn’t entirely accurate.
Back then, I, being utterly smitten, can’t forget the moment I crossed paths with Malia and Sasha at my concert, just prior to the 2008 elections. Their mom had brought them along to catch the Jonas Brothers‘ spectacular performance.
Michelle remarked, “Now these men are returning home, not just as members of a boy band. They have relationships and genuine lives outside of that now.
And thanks to Malia’s discrete ways, her real life is all her own.
As children grow quickly before our eyes, let’s reminisce by walking along Memory Lane with Malia and Sasha Obama over the years:
Following a break from formal education, Malia has embarked on her undergraduate journey at esteemed Harvard University. Meanwhile, Sasha is attending the University of Michigan as a student.
The Obama family don their finest ensembles for their final Christmas card in the White House.
In 2016, during a weekend trip to Martha’s Vineyard, the sisters tended to stay near their individual parents upon their arrival.
At their first state dinner in 2016, Malia gave her sister a thumbs-up of approval as she had a private meeting with Ryan Reynolds.
Upon touching down in Cuba in 2016, the Obama ladies look more than ready for their historic trip.
The former President Barack Obama’s daughters, who were once quite small, demonstrated their grown-up status as they attended the 2015 turkey pardoning ceremony during the Thanksgiving break.
Malia and Sasha join their extremely accomplished mama on a trip to Italy in 2015.
In a heartwarming moment, captured in a charming photograph, the trio of women related to former President Obama were seen snuggling together during their trip to the Great Wall of China in the year 2014.
The teenagers begrudgingly carry on the Turkey Day tradition in 2013.
In a harmonious display, the duo donned identical violet overcoats at the ceremony marking their father’s second inauguration following the 2012 presidential election.
Just prior to giving his 2012 acceptance speech, Obama walks onto the stage accompanied by the three women who are most significant in his life.
To begin the 2012 festive season, Malia, Sasha, and Michelle made a memorable entrance by delivering their impressive 19-foot tall Christmas tree.
In 2012, the Democratic National Convention reunited the duo and their mother, marking a joyous occasion celebrating Barack Obama’s nomination.
2011’s Christmas in Washington wouldn’t feel quite right without the presence of its most distinguished locals.
TNT’s Christmas in Washington event in 2010 brings the family together yet again.
The sisters are all smiles at their first-ever turkey pardoning event at the White House in 2009.
As a lifestyle expert, I would say: In 2009, I affectionately embraced my parents for our cherished family photo session.
As is the tradition in the Obama family, the trio enjoys Christmas 2008 in Hawaii.
The nation was introduced to the Obama girls early on during the 2008 presidential election.
A young Malia shares a bonding moment with her proud pops while on the campaign trail in 2007.
Back when the White House was merely a distant dream for these four, Obama’s 2004 Senate campaign captured this cherished snapshot.
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2025-04-30 22:18