From White House To Hollywood: 7 Major Updates On Malia And Sasha Obama’s Lives In 2025

As of late 2025, Malia Ann Obama and Sasha Obama have successfully transitioned from the intense glare of the White House spotlight to carving out independent, high-profile careers and educational paths, primarily based in Los Angeles, California. The daughters of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are now fully established young adults, with Malia making significant waves in the film industry and Sasha pursuing advanced education. They represent a new generation of former First Children, fiercely protective of their privacy yet making impactful moves in the creative and academic worlds. Their journey since leaving the White House in 2017 has been marked by a deliberate effort to establish their own identities outside of their parents' political legacy. This article provides the most current, in-depth look at their lives, careers, and academic pursuits as they navigate their mid-twenties.

Malia Ann Obama and Natasha "Sasha" Obama: Complete 2025 Biography

The Obama daughters have always been known by their nicknames, Malia and Sasha, but their full biographies reveal their formal identities and educational foundation. | Full Name | Malia Ann Obama | Natasha "Sasha" Obama | |---|---|---| | Date of Birth | July 4, 1998 | June 10, 2001 | | Age (as of Dec 2025) | 27 | 24 | | Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois | Chicago, Illinois | | Parents | Barack Obama and Michelle Obama | Barack Obama and Michelle Obama | | High School | Sidwell Friends School, Washington, D.C. | Sidwell Friends School, Washington, D.C. | | Undergraduate Education | Harvard University (graduated 2021) | University of Southern California (USC) (graduated 2023) | | Current Focus (Late 2025) | Filmmaker/Writer (Director) | Post-Graduate Studies in California | | Current Base | Los Angeles, California | Los Angeles, California | The sisters have maintained a close bond, with both choosing to live in the Los Angeles area following their respective college graduations, facilitating a shared life away from the East Coast political hub.

1. Malia Obama’s Bold Move to Adopt a New Alias in Film

Malia Obama has firmly committed to a career in the entertainment industry, but with a surprising twist: she has dropped her famous surname for professional work. Her decision to use an alias is a clear effort to be judged on her merit and creative talent rather than her presidential lineage. * The New Professional Name: Malia is now professionally credited as Malia Ann, using her middle name to establish a distinct identity. * A Writer and Director: She is actively working as a writer and director, having previously gained experience through high-profile internships, including one on the set of the HBO series *Girls*, working with creator Lena Dunham, and another with the now-defunct Weinstein Company. * The Sundance Debut: Malia Ann made her significant directorial debut with the short film "The Heart". This project was a major showcase of her emerging talent. * Critical Acclaim: The short film, which she also wrote, premiered at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival and was recognized with an award at the Chicago International Film Festival, cementing her status as a serious young filmmaker.

2. Sasha Obama’s Academic Transition to Post-Graduate Life

Sasha Obama, whose formal name is Natasha, has followed her sister to California, establishing her own academic and social life away from the East Coast. Her educational path has been one of intellectual curiosity and independence. * Undergraduate Success: Sasha graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) in 2023, earning a degree in Sociology from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Prior to USC, she began her college career at the University of Michigan. * The Next Step: In late 2025, Sasha is reportedly pursuing a post-graduate program in California. While the specific program or university has not been publicly confirmed, her mother, Michelle Obama, has mentioned her continued pursuit of advanced education, indicating a focus on higher academic achievement. * Early Work Experience: Demonstrating a commitment to a normal young adult life, Sasha previously took a summer job working at a seafood restaurant, Nancy’s, on Martha’s Vineyard. This experience provided a brief, grounded period of work outside the political bubble.

3. Their Close-Knit Los Angeles Life and Parental Support

A significant factor in the Obama sisters' current life is their shared location and the unwavering support of their parents. * Living in Los Angeles: Both Malia and Sasha are based in Los Angeles, which allows them to live close to each other and maintain the strong bond they forged while growing up in the White House. This proximity is crucial as they navigate their early professional and academic careers. * Barack and Michelle’s Pride: Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have consistently expressed immense pride in their daughters' independence and their choice to seek lives outside of Washington, D.C.. Michelle Obama has spoken publicly about how much she values the strong, supportive relationship between her two daughters. * The Family Dynamic: The Obamas' family life, though private, remains a core entity. They often reunite for holidays, with recent photographs showing the family dynamic is as strong as ever, even as the girls are fully independent.

4. Malia's Creative Inspiration and Future Collaborations

Malia Ann's creative work is heavily influenced by her unique background and her desire to explore complex narratives. * Focus on Storytelling: Her work, including "The Heart," is said to focus on themes of loss, family, and the human condition, suggesting an interest in dramatic and emotionally resonant storytelling. * Donald Glover’s Mentorship: Malia's career trajectory was significantly boosted by her involvement with Donald Glover’s production company, Gilga, where she served as a writer on the Amazon Prime Video series *Swarm*. Glover, an influential figure in Hollywood, praised her talent and work ethic, calling her "an incredibly talented person". This mentorship is a key entity in her early career.

5. Sasha’s Focus: Sociology and Social Justice

Sasha's choice of Sociology as her undergraduate major at USC and her decision to pursue advanced studies suggest a strong interest in understanding societal structures and issues. * Academic Rigor: Her degree from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences provides a foundation for careers in law, public policy, or non-profit work, aligning with the Obama family’s long-standing commitment to public service and social justice. * Influences: Like her parents, who both attended Harvard Law School and dedicated their lives to public service, Sasha’s academic focus on social dynamics indicates a potential future involvement in fields that impact the public sphere.

6. The Scrutiny of Their Dating Lives

As former First Daughters, Malia and Sasha face intense public scrutiny, particularly regarding their personal relationships. * Malia’s Relationships: Malia has been linked to British student Rory Farquharson, whom she met while studying at Harvard University. While the status of their relationship is not consistently public, the relationship entity highlights her private life being intertwined with her academic years. * Sasha’s Relationships: Sasha has been linked to Clifton Powell Jr., the son of actor Clifton Powell. These relationships, though kept private, are entities that occasionally draw media attention, underscoring the challenge of maintaining a normal personal life under the celebrity spotlight.

7. The Long-Term Impact of the White House Years

The eight years Malia and Sasha spent growing up in the Executive Residence of the White House fundamentally shaped their lives and personalities. * Resilience and Privacy: Both sisters developed a strong sense of resilience and an intense appreciation for privacy, skills honed by growing up under constant Secret Service protection and global media attention. * Michelle Obama's Guidance: Michelle Obama has often discussed the strategies she and Barack used to ensure their daughters had as normal a childhood as possible, emphasizing their education at Sidwell Friends School and their grounded upbringing in Chicago before the presidency. This foundation of normalcy is what is allowing them to thrive as independent young women in their current ventures.