Michelle Obama is all for her daughter’s independence.
However, after her and Barack Obama’s eldest daughter Malia Obama informed them that she would no longer use the family’s moniker in her professional work, they had to keep it real—especially given that, after living in the White House for eight years, anonymity is hard to come by.
“Malia, who started in film, I mean her first project she took off her last name,” Michelle said to Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson on the Sibling Revelry podcast June 3. “And we’re like, ‘They’re still going to know it’s you, Malia.’ But we respect that she’s trying to make her way.”
Malia debuted the name change in February 2024 during the premiere of her film project The Heart. Fans noticed that the eldest Obama daughter’s moniker read Malia Ann in the credits at the Sundance Institute’s “Meet the Artist” spotlight video.
Thankfully, the former first couple—who also share daughter Sasha Obama, 23—understand their kids need to “push away.”
“Our daughters are 26 and 23. They are young adult women, but they definitely went through a period in their teens years where it was the push away,” the Becoming author explained. “They’re still doing that. You’re trying to distinguish yourself. It’s important for my kids to feel like they’ve earned what they are getting in the world. And they don’t want people to assume they don’t work hard, that they’re just naturally handed things. They’re very sensitive to that.”
Michelle also reflected on catering her parenting techniques to suit her girls as they navigated growing up in the White House, and how that inspired them to be the women they are today.
“Now that they’re older they are embracing our parenting principles,” Michelle said. “They have clear understanding of why we did a lot of what we did. They understand us as full human beings now. In the same way I think that I discovered that with my parents when I went away to college.”
“Our daughters they definitely didn’t want to be little princesses in the White House,” Michelle added. “They wanted to push the envelope. They needed some rope. They wanted to try some things. They wanted to be out in the world. And I knew under the circumstances they probably needed more rope than I could have given them if I was my mother.”
Keep reading for more kids of celebrities who changed their names…
Chelsea O’Donnell
Rosie O’Donnell and ex Kelli Carpenter‘s adopted daughter filed to change her last name to her birth mom Deanna (née Neuens) Micoley‘s maiden name in January 2025, according to court documents obtained by People.
Suri Cruise
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes‘ daughter went by Suri Noelle—her first name and her mom’s middle name—for her high school graduation ceremony in June 2024.
Malia Obama
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama‘sdaughter Malia Obama dropped her last name to go by just her first and middle monikers—Malia Ann—when credited on her 2023 film project The Heart.
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt
On her 18th birthday in May 2024, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt legally filed to change her name to just Shiloh Jolie after mom Angelina Jolie, dropping dad Brad Pitt‘s surname.
Olivia Jade
Designer Mossimo Giannulli and actress Lori Loughlin‘s daughter Olivia Jade Giannulli doesn’t use her last name as an influencer, going by Olivia Jade for her YouTube career.
Elle King
Rob Schneider‘s daughter was born Tanner Elle Schneider but decided to go by Elle King (her middle name combined with her mom London King‘s surname) for her singing career.
Samia Najimy Finnerty
Hocus Pocus star Kathy Najimy and The Hangover‘s Dan Finnerty share daughter Samia Najimy Finnerty, but she dropped their monikers to go by just Samia for her stage name as a singer.
Nicolas Cage
August Coppola—the brother of Francis Ford Coppola—welcomed son Nicolas Kim Coppola with dancer Joy Vogelsang. However, you know him by a different name: Nicolas Cage, inspired by superhero Luke Cage.
Willow Smith
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith‘s daughter dropped her last name to go by WILLOW as her music stage name.
