 Obama in 2024 | |
| Born | Malia Ann Obama July 4 1998 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Occupation | Model • singer |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Parent(s) | Barack Obama Michelle Obama |
| Relatives | Obama Family |
| Modeling Information | |
| Agency | IMG Models |
| Musical Career | |
| Member of | School Gyrls |
| Labels | Columbia (2008-2009) |
Malia Ann Obama (born July 4,1998) is an American model and singer. Obama was a member of the R&B group School Gyrls, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. She is the elder daughter of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Early Life[]
Obama was born on July 4, 1998, at University of Chicago Medical Center in Chicago. Her parents taught her the meaning of discipline, self-motivation, determination, and goal setting which she considers to be important qualities that have enabled her to accomplish her goals in life and in figure competition. She went to grade school at Lionel Hampton Fine & Performing Arts School. Obama was the second-to-last member to join School Gyrls after being brought in by Beyoncé. On December 3, 2008, the group released a holiday EP, A Very School Gyrls Holla-Day. The EP peaked at number 7 and sold 2 million copies, with their most popular song being "12 Days". She sang lead in various songs: "O Christmas Tree", "Jingle Bells", and "All I Want for Christmas Is You."
White House years[]
Obama at the first inauguration
On January 20, 2009, the day of her father's first inauguration, Obama moved into the White House with her family, groupmates, and was given the Secret Service codename "Radiance".
School Gyrls's final studio album, Reflection, was released in January 2009 and sold a record-breaking 2.4 million copies in its first week and by the end of the year had sold over 9.9 million copies making it the best-selling album of the year. The album produced 3 hit singles including "Damaged", "Showstopper", and "I Hate This Part". At the White House Easter Egg Roll, School Gyrls announced that they would disband.
Obama attended Sidwell Friends School, from fifth grade through twelfth grade, in Washington D.C. She was on her school's tennis, basketball and track and field teams. She helped the tennis team win the ISL championship and earned several championships in track, placing second place in the 400-meter dash at the state championships, as well as third in the 200, also being a member of the winning 4 × 100 metres relay and 4 × 200 metres relay teams. In basketball, she led Sidwell Friends to three ISL and DCSAA tournament titles and finished her career with 2,124 points and 1,023 rebounds. Despite her performances, Obama received no offers to play college sports, with the only interest coming from teams in Division II.
Obama at the food drive at the White House
In 2016, she was presented as a debutante to high society at the International Debutante Ball at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. She held her senior prom, for the class of 2016, in the East Room of the White House.
Education and academic life[]
Obama attended Harvard University, where she lived in Grays Hall and Eliot House. She graduated from Harvard University in 2021 with a degree in Visual and Environmental Studies. While at Harvard, Obama studied under filmmakers Ross McElwee, Robb Moss, and Guy Maddin. At the time of Obama's graduation, her father issued a statement: "Michelle and I are grateful for the friendships and great learning experiences Malia had at Harvard, and we are very proud of her on this special day."
Career[]
Obama was scouted by the talent agents Jeff and Mary Clarke of Mother Model Management, at Harvard. She subsequently signed a multi-year modeling contract with IMG models. She first worked in New York City before moving to Los Angeles to do high fashion modeling. Her first fashion show was Alexander Wang Spring/Summer 2018.
She has appeared in editorials for Italian, American, French, British, Russian, and Japanese Vogue, W, LOVE, V, Numéro, and Dazed. She has appeared on the cover of Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Turkish, Thai and Mexican Vogue, Garage, and Numéro.
Obama has walked the runways for Tom Ford, Saint Laurent, Miu Miu, Valentino, Loewe, Calvin Klein, Isabel Marant, Chanel, Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, Versace, Donna Karan, Bottega Veneta, Prada, Moschino, Fendi, Anna Sui, Marc Jacobs, Coach, rag+bone, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Alexander Wang, Dior Céline, Thierry Mugler, Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbana, Max Mara, Jil Sander, Salvatore Ferragamo, Hugo Boss, Diane Von Furstenberg, Proenza Schouler, Roberto Cavalli, Lanvin, Jason Wu, Maison Margiela, Sonia Rykiel, Viktor & Rolf, Gucci, Vera Wang, Vionnet, Giorgio Armani, Hermés, Tory Burch, Chloé, Blumarine, and Louis Vuitton.
She has appeared in advertising campaigns for Alexander Wang, Jimmy Choo, Chanel, Prada, Coach, DSquared2, Marc Jacobs, Dior, Moschino, Givenchy, Diesel, Jil Sander, Versace, Thierry Mugler, Hugo Boss, Giada, Tommy Hilfiger, and Mango.
Obama is currently ranked as an "Industry Icon" by models.com.
See Also[]
- List of children of the Presidents of the United States
- Sasha Obama