Malia Obama is staying and toned, and fit this summer. The 26-year-old was photographed leaving a gym in Los Angeles on Friday in a sleek black workout set.
© The Grosby GroupThe former first daughter rocked leggings and a sports bra that showed off her toned midriff and a matching sweater as she carried her trainers and water bottle back to her car.
© The Grosby GroupMalia is also rocking long, light brown waves that fall all the way to her hips. It’s the same style she wore during her European getaway with her mom, Michelle, and sister, Sasha, on the Spanish island of Mallorca. Their dad, Barack, wasn’t along for the fun.
© The Grosby GroupCall her Malia Ann
It's been an exciting time for Malia, who made headlines after she dropped “Obama” from her professional name. The director is now going by Malia Ann, a nod to her late grandmother, Ann Dunham, and a very intentional move as she carves out a path in Hollywood.
© GettyMichelle recently addressed it on the Sibling Revelry podcast, laughing about how both she and Barack tried to remind their daughter that people would catch on. But ultimately, they supported her decision. “She’s trying to make her way,” Michelle said. “They want to be their own people.”
Malia Ann made her directorial debut with The Heart, which premiered at Sundance in 2024, and she recently directed a Nike commercial featuring WNBA star A’ja Wilson. Before that, she wrote for Swarm, the Amazon Prime series produced by Donald Glover.
It’s no surprise that growing up in the White House under the political spotlight can shape or harden you. Both Obamas have been candid about their daughters’ desire to push back. “They never wanted to be little princesses,” Michelle said. “They wanted to be out in the world.”
And Malia’s out there now, living in LA, making art, and going to the gym like any other 20-something trying to stay grounded.
