Malia’s changing hairstyles
For a time, Malia Obama seemed to have settled on a signature hairstyle: long goddess braids. She even sported a waist-length version of this style. Similarly, Michelle Obama began wearing braids after stepping back from her role as First Lady. While promoting her book “The Light We Carry,” Michelle explained to Ellen DeGeneres that she kept her hair straight during her time in the White House to avoid giving critics something to focus on.
Michelle Obama once joked (via The Hill) about how critics might have reacted to her wearing braids while in the White House, imagining them saying, “Those are terrorist braids! Those are revolutionary braids!” This concern wasn’t unfounded; when Malia wore her hair in twists at age 11, conservative critics on the internet declared her “unfit to represent America,” according to The New York Times. For the Obama women, being able to wear their hair however they liked, without the burden of political judgment, must have been a liberating experience.
After wearing braids for quite some time, Malia Obama debuted a new look in October 2023: red hair styled in soft waves that reached the middle of her back. It’s possible Malia switched up her hairstyle because her mom, Michelle, was frequently seen wearing braids herself. Sometimes, kids like to differentiate their style, especially when a parent adopts a similar look!
Malia Obama enjoys both smoking and staying active
Malia Obama has two contrasting habits: smoking and working out. In his memoir, *A Promised Land*, Barack Obama mentions that a disapproving look from a young Malia helped motivate him to quit smoking while working in the White House. In 2016, Malia was photographed wearing a “Smoking Kills” T-shirt, just weeks after being seen at Lollapalooza with what *Page Six* described as “a suspicious cigarette,” implying it might not have contained nicotine.
In October 2023, a paparazzo captured Malia Obama smoking an actual cigarette, not of the “suspicious” kind. However, there was also a sign of a healthier habit: she was spotted carrying a trendy Hydro Flask bottle under one arm, suggesting she was making an effort to stay hydrated.
Malia Obama also tries to stay healthy by engaging in vigorous workouts. In January 2024, *Hola!* reported that she was attending classes at Barry’s Bootcamp in Los Angeles. *Just Jared* also published photos of her outside the CrossFit center where she trains, indicating her preference for intense exercise routines. It’s interesting to note that despite these high-energy workouts designed to push fitness enthusiasts to their limits, Malia also enjoys smoking cigarettes.
Malia’s short film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival
In 2024, Malia Obama took a bold step from writing to directing, with a little help from her mentor, Donald Glover. Thanks to his production company, Gilga, she was able to turn her short film vision into reality. Glover shared with GQ, “The first thing we discussed was that this is a one-time shot. You’re Obama’s daughter, so if the film flops, it’s going to stick with you.” Despite the pressure, Obama premiered her short film, “The Heart,” at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival under the name “Malia Ann,” leaving her famous last name out of the credits.
Interestingly, the film delves into themes that echo those explored in the “Swarm” episode Obama worked on—grief and loss. In a “Meet the Artist” video for the Sundance Institute, Obama described her film as “an odd little story, almost like a fable, about a man dealing with the death of his mother.”
Though the Daily Beast described her debut film as “a little lifeless,” it still managed to snag the best live-action short award at the Chicago International Film Festival. We can definitely expect to see more of this rising star on the red carpet in the future. On that note, Obama made quite the impression at Sundance with her chic gray maxi coat and ankle-length skinny scarf.