Malia and Sasha Obama party with rapper Drake
Years after former President Barack Obama famously remarked that global superstar Drake is “able to do anything he wants,” the Canadian rapper and the former First Daughters found their orbits finally crossing in the heart of Los Angeles. Malia and Sasha Obama, now fully transitioned into private adulthood, were recently spotted enjoying the nightlife at a premier Hollywood hotspot alongside the “God’s Plan” artist.
The siblings, who moved to the West Coast to forge their own professional paths, were captured by photographers at The Bird Streets Club. Embracing the fashion-forward atmosphere of the venue, both women opted for contemporary, expressive attire—Sasha choosing a cropped black corset and low-slung cargo pants, while Malia donned a sheer lace-up top and high-waisted printed trousers.
The sighting serves as a vivid reminder that the young women who grew up under the world’s most powerful microscope are officially charting their own course.
Life Under the Macroscope
For Malia (born July 4, 1998) and Sasha (born June 10, 2001), the years between 2009 and 2017 were defined by a unique paradox: living in a house full of florists, chefs, and Secret Service agents while trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy.
“They are watched. They had to learn how to balance the unwanted attention, but do it politely,” former First Lady Michelle Obama recently shared on the Moments that Make Us podcast. Michelle noted that she raised them with the constant awareness that their time in the White House was temporary. “I was raising them thinking, ‘You’re not going to live here, and with me, forever. So I’ve got to hand you your life soon and let you manage it.’”
Malia: The Emerging Creativist
Malia Obama’s transition into the professional world has been marked by a deliberate move into the cinematic arts. After graduating from Harvard University in 2021, she bypassed the political arena in favor of the production studio.
Her resume already includes stints as a production assistant on Halle Berry’s sci-fi series Extant and a writing credit on the acclaimed Amazon series Swarm. Most recently, she dropped her famous last name to debut as “Malia Ann” at the Sundance Film Festival, where she premiered her written and directed short film, Heart.
Sasha: The Social Scientist
Sasha Obama, described by her father in 2008 as the “comedian in the family,” navigated her university years during the unprecedented challenges of the global pandemic. After starting her studies at the University of Michigan, she transferred to the University of Southern California, graduating in May 2023 with a degree in sociology.
Today, the sisters share a residence in Los Angeles—a living arrangement that Michelle Obama describes as a source of parental “solace.”
The Drake Connection: A Household “Stamp of Approval”
The girls’ late-night outing with Drake—reportedly lasting until 4:00 a.m.—is the culmination of a decade-long mutual admiration society between the Obama family and the rapper.
As far back as 2010, Drake expressed a keen interest in portraying Barack Obama on the silver screen. “I hope somebody makes a movie about Obama’s life soon because I could play him,” he told interviewers.
The former president eventually returned the compliment in 2020, acknowledging Drake’s immense talent. “I will say this, Drake seems to be able to do anything he wants,” Barack Obama told Complex. “Drake has, more importantly I think, my household’s stamp of approval. I suspect Malia and Sasha would be just fine with it.”
As Malia and Sasha continue to navigate their twenties in Los Angeles, they appear to be successfully balancing the “smart, confident, and independent” traits their mother instilled in them with the simple right of any young adult to enjoy a night out on the town.