Kathrine Frich
Both women were just children when their father won the 2008 election. Sasha Obama
Growing up in the global spotlight changes a person permanently.
Most famous children either chase that attention forever, or they quietly slip away to build a completely normal life.
Two high-profile sisters who chose the quiet path just stepped back into the flashbulbs.
A rare family reunion
Malia and Sasha Obama stepped back into the public eye this week. The two sisters joined their parents on stage in Chicago on Thursday to celebrate the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center.
The sprawling new complex sits on the South Side. It features a museum, public parks, multiple concert venues, and a fresh branch of the Chicago Public Library.
Seeing the entire family together is an unusual sight these days. The daughters have mostly avoided the spotlight since their father left the White House almost a decade ago.
Finding their own way
Both women were just children when their father won the 2008 election. Sasha was actually the youngest kid to live in the famous Washington residence since John F. Kennedy Jr. was a baby.
Malia is now 27 and building a solid film career. She has worked on major television projects with Donald Glover and recently directed a short film titled ‘The Heart’ under the name Malia Ann.
The movie played at huge events like the Sundance Film Festival. Last September, she travelled to France to pick up a trophy, with People magazine reporting she received “the Young Spirit Award” for her work.
At the time, Malia explained her vision for the project. “The film is about lost objects and lonely people and forgiveness and regret, but I also think it works hard to uncover where tenderness and closeness can exist in those things,” she said.
No political future
Sasha recently celebrated her 25th birthday. The former president shared a heartfelt message on social media praising the impressive woman she has become over the years.
Fans might naturally hope the sisters will eventually run for public office, but their father has completely shut that idea down. During a Los Angeles fundraiser, he explained exactly how Michelle handled the topic at home.
He told the crowd that his wife “drilled into them so early that you would be crazy to go into politics.”
According to People, he proudly called his daughters “powerful young women” before confirming their political ambitions. “It’ll never happen,” he said.
Sources: People
