Malia and Sasha spotted in LA: What are Barack Obama's daughters doing today?

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From growing up in the White House to forging their own paths in Los Angeles, Malia and Sasha Obama have led extraordinary lives. As the daughters of Barack and Michelle Obama, they spent their formative years under intense public scrutiny.

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Now in their twenties, the sisters are stepping into adulthood, embracing new careers, furthering their education, and building a life together away from the political spotlight. Recently, the duo was seen in LA with their father, sparking curiosity about their current endeavours. So, what are Malia and Sasha Obama up to these days?

Malia and Sasha spotted in LA with Barack Obama

Malia and Sasha Obama were recently seen enjoying a casual dinner with their father, former U.S. president Barack Obama, in Los Angeles. The sisters stepped out in coordinated leather outfits, embracing chic and relaxed styles.

The trio appeared in good spirits as they left the restaurant, with Barack waving to onlookers. Notably, Michelle Obama was not present for the family dinner—as she was from Trump’s inauguration. The sisters, who have been making the most of their lives in Los Angeles, may have been doing some shopping before the dinner.

Over the years, they have built a social circle in the entertainment industry and are often seen attending exclusive events.

What are Malia and Sasha up to now?

The Obama sisters have taken distinct paths since their time in the White House. Malia, now 26, has been pursuing a career in the film industry. She made waves with her directorial debut, The Heart, a short film produced in collaboration with Donald Glover’s company, Gilga. The film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and was well received for its emotional depth and storytelling. Malia has also previously worked as a writer on Donald Glover's Amazon series, Swarm. Showrunner Janine Nabers praised her contributions, saying:

She's an incredible writer. She brought a lot to the table...She's really, really dedicated to her craft.

Malia also made a decision to drop her surname ‘Obama’ from the credits of her debut short film. Barack Obama revealed on The Pivot Podcast that his daughter insisted:

And she’s all like, ‘You know what? I want them to watch it that first time and not in any way have that association.'

The move led to mixed reactions, with some supporting her independence and others criticising it as an attempt to avoid the 'nepo baby' label. Regardless, her work continues to stand on its own merits, as evidenced by the positive reception of her film The Heart.

As for Sasha, she has returned to school after graduating from the University of Southern California in 2023 with a degree in sociology. Recent photos of her carrying books on campus sparked speculation about her continuing her studies. Michelle Obama confirmed that she’s gone back to school on The Jennifer Hudson Show, sharing:

Sasha is in school, Malia has a budding career in film. They are smart, they're funny, they're wise in their own ways and I love spending time with them.

It is not known what she’s studying.

The sisters continue to live together in Los Angeles, a decision that made their parents proud. Michelle Obama also revealed during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2022, that both Malia and Sasha bring home boyfriends and have 'real lives'. She said:

They loved the Jonas Brothers. Now they are bringing grown men home. Before it was just, like, pop bands. Now they have boyfriends and real lives.

Michelle also fondly spoke about their shared apartment, saying the girls have made it their own:

[They have] poked around yard sales and shopped at a nearby IKEA, watching their budget.

Growing up in the White House

Malia and Sasha had anything but an ordinary childhood. When their father took office in 2009, they were just ten and seven years old, respectively. Their transition from a relatively normal life in Chicago to the global spotlight was swift and intense.

Despite the challenges of growing up in the public eye, their parents worked hard to maintain a sense of normality. Michelle Obama told People in 2011:

My girls are settled, they're healthy, they're thriving. They have a normal life.

The sisters attended Sidwell Friends School, a prestigious private school in Washington, D.C., before heading off to university.

Being first daughters also meant adjusting to constant security measures. Barack once joked that Sasha and Malia still recall their Secret Service detail monitoring them during dates. He quipped on The Late Late Show:

They still have PTSD from guys talking into their wrist microphones and glasses as they're trying to go to a music concert

Through it all, Malia and Sasha have maintained a strong bond. Michelle has previously stated that their shared experiences in the White House created an unbreakable connection:

I think that they realize that they have a unique bond because they're the only two who know what they just went through — growing up in the White House with the brightest spotlight in the world on you as you were going through adolescence and puberty.