Malia Obama, daughter of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, is stepping into Hollywood with a new name and a promising career in filmmaking. At 25, Malia is making her mark with her directorial debut, “The Heart,” showcased at the Sundance Film Festival.

Born Malia Ann Obama in 1998, she’s chosen to pay tribute to her grandmother by using her middle name professionally. Graduating from Harvard, Malia has decided to pursue screenwriting and directing. Her latest project, “The Heart,” premiered at Sundance, where Malia appeared under her pseudonym, Malia Ann.

This isn’t Malia’s first step into the industry. In 2021, she contributed to the writing team of the series “Swarm,” which featured stars like Billie Eilish and Rory Culkin. Despite her famous background, those she worked with praise her talent and dedication.

According to Janine Nabers, co-creator of “Swarm,” Malia’s pitches were impressive and showcased her humor and skill. Stephen Glover, executive producer of “Swarm,” emphasized that Malia was treated like any other member of the team, without any special treatment due to her lineage.

Barack and Michelle Obama have expressed their pride in Malia’s accomplishments, celebrating her 25th birthday with heartfelt messages on social media.

“Happy birthday to this talented, hilarious, and beautiful young woman,” wrote Barack on Instagram. “Malia, I hope 25 brings you everything you’re looking for and more.” Michelle echoed her husband’s sentiments, posting: “Happy birthday, Malia! I feel so lucky to be your mom and to be able to watch you become the wonderful young woman you are today. Love you so much! 💕”

From Malia Obama to Malia Ann, and from being the President’s daughter to carving her path in Hollywood, Malia’s future looks promising as she embraces her passion for filmmaking.