7 Shocking Ways Malia And Sasha Obama Are Forging Their Own Paths In Late 2025

The world's gaze remains fixed on Malia and Sasha Obama, the former First Daughters who have successfully transitioned from life in the White House to forging intensely independent and high-profile careers. As of December 2025, both young women are deeply immersed in their respective professional and academic journeys, making headlines not for their famous surname, but for their own achievements—Malia as a serious filmmaker and Sasha as a focused post-graduate student.

The sisters, now in their mid-twenties, are living together in Los Angeles, California, and have deliberately stepped away from the political spotlight to pursue passions in the arts and academia. Their latest moves—including a major film festival debut and a commitment to advanced study—cement their status as young women determined to build a legacy entirely on their own terms, a journey their parents, Barack and Michelle Obama, have openly supported.

Malia and Sasha Obama: A Quick Biography Profile

The daughters of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have grown up under an unprecedented level of public scrutiny. Here is a snapshot of their lives and current status:

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• Malia Ann Obama
  • Born: July 4, 1998 (Age 27 as of late 2025)
  • Education: Harvard University (Graduated 2021)
  • Current Residence: Los Angeles, California
  • Current Profession: Screenwriter and Filmmaker
  • Notable Projects: Writer/Director of the short film 'The Heart' (2024), Writer on Amazon Prime's 'Swarm' (2023)
  • Professional Name: Malia Ann (Used for her directorial debut to separate herself from the Obama name)
• Natasha 'Sasha' Obama
  • Born: June 10, 2001 (Age 24 as of late 2025)
  • Education: University of Michigan (Transfer), University of Southern California (USC)
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (USC, Graduated May 2023)
  • Current Residence: Los Angeles, California
  • Current Status: Pursuing post-graduate education in California
  • Interests: Sociology, fashion, and maintaining a private life

Malia Obama's Indie Film Career: Dropping the Name for 'The Heart'

Malia Obama has made the most decisive move to establish her own professional identity by strategically omitting her famous surname. For her directorial and screenwriting debut, she chose to be credited as Malia Ann, using only her middle name.

This decision was thrust into the spotlight when her short film, 'The Heart,' premiered at the prestigious 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The 18-minute short, which tells the story of a man grieving the death of his mother, was a critical success, even winning an award at the Chicago International Film Festival.

Malia's career in the entertainment industry has been on a steady rise since her 2021 graduation from Harvard University. Prior to her directorial debut, she gained significant experience in the writers' room for the Donald Glover and Janine Nabers-created horror-comedy series, 'Swarm,' for Amazon Prime Video.

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Furthermore, in 2024, Malia also directed a high-profile commercial for Nike starring WNBA professional basketball player A'ja Wilson, showcasing her versatility in both narrative and commercial filmmaking. Her fiery red hair and increasingly bold fashion choices in Los Angeles are seen by many as a visual representation of her creative independence and separation from her former role as a First Daughter.

Sasha Obama's Academic Path and Post-USC Life

While Malia is focused on Hollywood, Sasha Obama has chosen a path focused on advanced academia. After transferring from the University of Michigan, Sasha graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.

Her graduation was a rare public event for the family, with both Barack and Michelle Obama, along with Malia, proudly attending the ceremony at the USC Dornsife College of Letters.

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The biggest update in late 2025 regarding Sasha is her continued commitment to education. Michelle Obama recently confirmed that Sasha is pursuing further education through a post-graduate program, also in California. This pursuit of advanced study in sociology suggests a deep intellectual curiosity and a focus on social structures, a subtle nod to her family's background in public service, albeit through an academic lens.

Sasha, who turned 24 in June 2025, continues to live a relatively private life in Los Angeles, occasionally being photographed in casual, stylish ensembles that highlight her personal fashion sense. She and Malia share a strong bond and the experience of navigating life as young adults outside the protective bubble of the White House.

The New Era of Independence: What the Obamas Say

The common thread running through both Malia and Sasha's journeys is a fierce desire for independence. Their parents have been vocal about the girls' need to carve out their own space away from the immense pressure of the Obama name.

Michelle Obama has spoken candidly about raising her daughters, noting that once they returned home from college, she and Barack made a conscious effort to treat them as young women, not children under strict rules. She emphasized the importance of allowing them to find their own independence and forge their own identities.

Malia’s decision to use "Malia Ann" for her film credits is a powerful symbol of this desire. It is a clear statement that she wants her work to be judged on its merit, not on the celebrity of her family. This move is supported by both parents, who understand the difficulty of building a career when shadowed by such a monumental political legacy.

The sisters' joint residence in Los Angeles places them in a hub of creativity and opportunity, far removed from the political environment of Washington, D.C. This geographical and professional distance allows them to build careers and lives that are authentic to their own desires, not dictated by public expectation.

From Malia’s emergence as a visionary director and screenwriter to Sasha’s deep dive into post-graduate studies, the Obama daughters are successfully navigating the transition into adulthood. They are proving that the most compelling narrative they can create is their own, independent of the White House, their parents’ legacy, or the public's intense curiosity. Their current paths in late 2025 are not just updates; they are a blueprint for how to transition from a globally recognized public figure to a private, successful, and self-made young professional.