Growing up in the public eye
Malia and Sasha spent much of their childhood under intense public scrutiny while living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue from 2009 to 2017. Michelle Obama has spoken openly about how challenging it was to raise children in such an environment, emphasizing the importance of helping them develop confidence and independence despite constant attention.
“They were watched,” Michelle Obama said on the Moments That Make Us podcast with Melinda French Gates. “They had to learn how to balance the unwanted attention, but do it politely… and still build their own lives.”
She added that even with the privileges of the White House, she and Barack Obama raised their daughters with the understanding that they would eventually need to manage life on their own.
Malia’s path in film and television
Born on July 4, 1998, Malia Obama has shown a clear interest in storytelling and entertainment. After graduating high school in 2016, she took a gap year before enrolling at Harvard University, where she graduated in 2021.
During her time away from school, Malia gained hands-on experience in the entertainment industry, working as a production assistant on CBS’s Extant and later as a writer on the Amazon series Swarm. In 2024, she made her directorial debut at the Sundance Film Festival with Heart, a short film she wrote and directed under the name Malia Ann.
Sasha’s academic journey
Sasha Obama, born June 10, 2001, has followed a more academic path. Barack Obama once described her as the “comedian in the family,” known for her energy and humor.
After graduating high school in 2019, Sasha began her studies at the University of Michigan, initially attending classes online during the COVID-19 pandemic. She later transferred to the University of Southern California, where she earned a degree in sociology in May 2023.
Today, the sisters live together in Los Angeles. Michelle Obama has said it brings her comfort knowing her daughters continue to support one another as adults.
A casual night out
Drake’s parties must be lit 🔥 Malia and Sasha Obama attended pic.twitter.com/UxQfD5mxRP
— EM (@EXECUTIVEXMEDIA) August 25, 2023
Photos and reports from Los Angeles showed Malia and Sasha enjoying an evening out with friends at a well-known nightlife venue where Drake was also present. The sisters appeared relaxed and stylish, reflecting the fashion-forward atmosphere of the event.
According to reports, the group stayed out late before leaving together, a reminder that the former first daughters are now navigating adulthood like many other young people in their twenties.
A long-standing connection with Drake
Drake has previously spoken warmly about the Obama family. In the past, he joked about portraying Barack Obama in a biographical film, a comment that later drew a lighthearted response from the former president.
“I will say this—Drake seems to be able to do anything he wants,” Barack Obama said in 2020. “That is a talented brother. And he’s got my household’s stamp of approval.”
He added that Malia and Sasha would likely be supportive of the idea.
Moving forward on their own terms
While public curiosity remains high, Malia and Sasha Obama continue to build their lives outside politics, balancing privacy with occasional moments in the spotlight. Their recent appearance in Los Angeles reflects not controversy, but a natural progression into adulthood—one shaped by independence, creativity, and strong family values.