Michelle Obama has revealed a surprising detail about her relationship with daughter Malia, admitting there is one thing the former first daughter has no interest in sharing with her famous parents.
The candid confession came during a recent episode of IMO, the podcast Michelle Obama co-hosts with her brother, Craig Robinson, where legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg joined them for a conversation that touched on family, Hollywood and the unique challenges of raising children in the public eye.
Barack Obama’s visit to Spielberg’s set
The discussion took a lighthearted turn when Spielberg revealed he had recently invited Barack Obama to visit the set of his upcoming sci-fi film.
According to the director, it was the first movie set the former president had ever visited.
“My husband is a bully to you when it comes to your movies. I always reprimand him…because you haven’t let him see [your latest film] and he’s very mad about that,” Michelle joked.
“But he got to come on set for this one,” Spielberg replied. “Yeah, he said if he wasn’t among the first to see it, he was going to watch it only on an iPhone.”
“Which he knows would irritate you,” replied Michelle, who, since leaving the White House, founded the film and TV production company, Higher Ground Productions, along with her husband.
Spielberg continued the playful exchange, adding: “And he said he wouldn’t watch it horizontally, he’d only watch it vertically.”
‘Religious experience’ for cast
Despite the jokes, Spielberg said the visit from the 44th president quickly became a memorable moment for everyone involved.
“It was great. It was, of course, for my cast, it was a bit of a religious experience because in walks this iconic president who comes onto our set,” Spielberg said.
“To me, he’s a good friend, to all of us, we know each other so well. But on set, the kids didn’t know Barack except from what he’s done for the world and who he represents.”
He added that even his outgoing cast was left speechless.
“They were just absolutely – and I have a very extroverted cast – you could hear a pin drop when he walked in. They didn’t know what to say,” he said. “I didn’t tell all of them, I told some of them, but not all of them.”
Following her own path
The exchange naturally led to a conversation about Malia, who has quietly built a career of her own in the entertainment industry.
Now 27, the aspiring filmmaker already has an impressive résumé, including a writing role on Donald Glover’s Swarm and the 2023 debut of her short film The Heart.
The Harvard graduate has also chosen to work professionally as Malia Ann, dropping the Obama surname as she establishes her own identity in Hollywood.
That is why Spielberg couldn’t resist making a joke about Obama’s movie-set debut.
“Even though your daughter is a filmmaker, Malia. So, I feel bad I scooped Malia,” he quipped.
Michelle’s response revealed just how determined her eldest daughter is to make it on her own.
“She doesn’t care. She will never invite us to anything that she does. You know, she doesn’t want us around her stuff.”
While the comment drew laughs, it also underscored a theme that has followed Malia throughout her young career. Rather than leaning on the connections that come with having a former president and first lady as parents, she appears determined to build her success independently.
What do you think of Malia Obama carving out her own path, without using the influence of her parents? Please let us know your thoughts and then share this story so we can hear from others!
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