Malia Obama debuted a new name, Malia Ann, as her Hollywood career heats up. She is now going by her middle name professionally to distance herself from her famous parents. Malia directed her first film, The Heart, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. She previously worked as a writer on Donald Glover's show Swarm. Former President Barack Obama praised her for being "very professional" and downplaying her parents' influence.