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Michelle Obama Reveals 'Nepo Baby' Daughter Malia Obama Has Distanced Herself From Family In Starting Her Film Career: 'Doesn't Want Us Around'

June 1, 2026 by Abigail Connolly
shefinds | Celebrity
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Michelle and Barack Obama‘s children are making their way in the world, and it looks like they’re growing more comfortable with the notion that they don’t want to be stereotypical “nepo babies.”

The First Lady recently talked to Steven Spielberg, the legendary filmmaker, on her podcast IMO. During their conversation, they began talking about how much her husband, the former president, loves his work, and for a moment brought up her eldest daughter, Malia. As Malia works on her budding film career, her mom mentioned that she “doesn’t want” her parents around to influence it. Read more about the situation below.

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Michelle Obama Reveals Her & Barack's Eldest Daughter Doesn't Want Them 'Around' Her Film Career

The former First Lady has been doing a lot since she and her husband left the White House following his two terms as president in 2017, but one of her most successful projects has arguably been the podcast she hosts with her brother, Craig Robinson, named In My Opinion.

 

On the podcast, the accomplished sibling duo discusses a wide variety of topics with influential guests, including more personal information and stories on the Obama family and what they've been up to since stepping down from their powerful positions.

 

Last week, iconic filmmaker Steven Spielberg was the guest of honor, and he also happens to be a close friend of Michelle and Barack, who were recently seen on his massive luxury yacht for a vacation. He spoke about several different things while talking to the co-hosts, but at one point, he began talking about how he's been letting Barack, as well as their eldest daughter, 27-year-old aspiring filmmaker Malia, in on some of his latest projects. However, Michelle pointed out that it's an experience her daughter would likely keep private.

 

"She doesn't care," she revealed. "She will never invite us to anything that she does. You know, she doesn't want us around her stuff."

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Malia Obama Previously Dropped Her Last Name From A Film Project

Since graduating from Harvard University in 2021, the former 'First Daughter' has been making her way into the film industry, which she's reportedly been very passionate about as an up-and-coming filmmaker. She's also tried her hand at writing, more recently working as a writer on the 2023 Amazon Prime thriller series Swarm.

 

As she's been getting older and starting to work as an adult, many social media users and other pop culture enthusiasts anticipated that Malia might be using her political "nepo baby" status to further herself. And though she might have some pretty unique connections thanks to her influential parents, according to the Becoming author, she is distancing herself from that narrative.

 

Aside from keeping her parents off film sets and out of her business, months ago, the 27-year-old's mom defended her decision to drop her last name and only use her middle name in the credits of her first professional short film, The Heart.

 

"I mean, it is very important for my kids to feel like they've earned what they are getting in the world, and they don't want people to assume that they don't work hard, that they're just naturally, just handed things," said Michelle during a podcast interview. "They're very sensitive to that — they want to be their own people."

Author:

Editorial Assistant

Abigail is a journalist based in Brooklyn, New York. As an Editorial Assistant for SheFinds, she covers topics ranging from celebrity news and fashion to wellness. She has written for other publications, including Chip Chick, Bandsintown, BroadwayWorld, and more. When she isn't writing, Abigail loves spending time in the city with her friends, being a 'dog mom' to her Chihuahua, and singing along to some of her favorite music.

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