5 Shocking Ways Malia Obama Has Completely Ditched The White House Spotlight To Become A Hollywood Filmmaker In 2025

The eldest daughter of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Malia Obama, has successfully carved out a fresh, independent identity in Hollywood, completely stepping away from her life as a former First Daughter. As of December 2025, the 26-year-old is no longer just a headline but a burgeoning professional filmmaker, writer, and director, operating under a new name to establish her own creative merit.

Her work in the entertainment industry has accelerated rapidly, marked by a significant directorial debut at a major film festival and continued collaboration with some of the industry's biggest names. This in-depth look explores the definitive answer to "what is Malia Obama doing now," detailing her latest projects and her calculated pivot into the world of screenwriting and directing.

Malia Ann: A Complete Biographical Profile

To understand Malia Obama’s current trajectory, it is important to first establish the foundation of her life and education. She is now known professionally as Malia Ann, using her middle name to separate her professional career from her public past.

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• Full Name: Malia Ann Obama
• Date of Birth: July 4, 1998
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 27
• Parents: Barack Obama (44th U.S. President) and Michelle Obama (Former First Lady)
• Siblings: Sasha Obama
• High School Education: Sidwell Friends School, Washington D.C.
• Higher Education: Harvard University (Graduated 2021)
• Professional Alias: Malia Ann
• Current Profession: Screenwriter, Director, Filmmaker

The Filmmaker: Malia Obama’s Directorial Debut at Sundance

Malia Obama made her most significant career move to date in early 2024, confirming her serious commitment to filmmaking. She made her red-carpet debut at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival for a project she wrote and directed.

The Acclaimed Short Film: The Heart

Her short film, titled The Heart, was officially selected to be screened as part of the U.S. Short Fiction Program at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. This debut was a major milestone, as the festival is known as a launchpad for independent filmmakers.

The film, which she created under her professional name, Malia Ann, is a deeply personal and unconventional story. According to the official Sundance description, the film centers on a man grieving the death of his mother, who leaves him an unusual request in her will.

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The success of The Heart cemented her transition from a political figure’s daughter to a recognized, independent creative talent in the industry. Her choice to debut the film under the name Malia Ann was a deliberate move to have her work judged on its own merit, separate from the weight of the Obama name.

Directing a Major Nike Commercial

Further showcasing her skills behind the camera, Malia also directed a high-profile commercial for Nike in 2024. The ad starred professional basketball player A'ja Wilson, demonstrating that her directorial experience extends beyond independent short films into the world of major commercial production.

The Screenwriter: Her Partnership with Donald Glover

Before stepping into the director's chair, Malia Obama was already honing her craft as a screenwriter in a high-profile environment. Her collaboration with actor, rapper, and director Donald Glover (creator of the acclaimed series Atlanta) has been a cornerstone of her early career.

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Writing for the Emmy-Nominated Series Swarm

Malia Obama served as a staff writer in the writers' room for the 2023 Amazon Prime Video series Swarm. This horror-comedy series, which was Emmy-nominated, was produced by Donald Glover and Janine Nabers. Glover himself has publicly praised Malia's skills, noting that she has a "great" writing style and is an incredibly hard worker.

Her time in the Swarm writers' room provided her with invaluable experience in a professional, high-stakes television production environment, working alongside seasoned industry veterans.

The Forthcoming Amazon Project

Following the success of Swarm, Malia is reportedly continuing her professional relationship with Donald Glover's production company. She is expected to be a writer on a forthcoming Amazon project helmed by Glover as part of his overall deal with the streaming giant. While details remain scarce, this continued collaboration signals a long-term commitment to her screenwriting career in premium television.

Establishing an Independent Life in Los Angeles

Malia Obama’s career pivot has also been accompanied by a geographical shift and a more private personal life. After graduating from Harvard University, she relocated to Los Angeles, the heart of the American film industry, to focus on her career.

Unlike her years in the White House and as a college student, Malia now maintains a remarkably low public profile. Her rare public appearances are usually focused on her professional work or private outings, underscoring her desire for a normal, independent life away from the intense media scrutiny she faced as a child.

Her parents, Barack and Michelle Obama, have consistently expressed support for their daughter’s career choice, with Michelle Obama noting that while she was initially skeptical of Malia's interest in Hollywood, she is now fully behind her creative pursuits.

In conclusion, Malia Obama is no longer defined by her past as a First Daughter. Her current activities as of late 2025 paint the picture of an ambitious, focused, and talented young professional who is actively building a career as a writer and director. By adopting the name Malia Ann and achieving significant professional milestones like her Sundance debut and her work with Donald Glover, she is successfully establishing her own legacy in the competitive world of Hollywood filmmaking.