Malia, daughter of former U.S. President Barack Obama, is making headlines after choosing to drop her famous last name. Now going simply by Malia, the 25-year-old’s decision has gone viral, sparking widespread debate on social media.
While many noted her striking resemblance to her mother Michelle Obama, it’s her move to distance herself from the Obama name that’s grabbing attention.
Michelle Obama once said, “It is very important for my kids to feel they have earned what they are getting in the world… They don’t want people to assume they don’t work hard and are just handed things.”
Online reactions have been mixed. Some support her desire for independence, while others see it as a rejection of her father’s legacy.
One user commented, “Sucks to be a father and build a legacy just to have your children abandon your name.”
Another wrote, “White dynasties don’t do this — Bush, Kennedy, Trump… why are we always doing the most?”
Despite the criticism, many admire her effort to carve her own path — with or without the Obama surname.
