You’ve probably seen the photos. Malia Obama is walking through Los Angeles, maybe grabbing a coffee or heading to a film set, and she’s absolutely towering over everyone in the frame. It’s one of those things that makes you double-take. We watched her grow up in the White House, shifting from a little girl with pigtails to this statuesque, creative force. But if you’ve ever wondered how tall is malia obama exactly, the answer is actually a bit more impressive than the "official" numbers you find on a quick Google search.
Most celebrity databases are lazy. They’ve had her listed at 5 feet 9 inches for years, basically since she was a teenager. Honestly, though? That’s outdated. If you look at recent red carpet appearances from late 2025 and early 2026, it’s pretty clear she’s pushed past that mark.
The Reality of Malia Obama's Height
When Malia stands next to her mom, Michelle Obama, they are nearly eye-to-eye. Michelle is famously 5 feet 11 inches tall. In recent sightings—like her appearance at the Stranger Things season 5 premiere or at various film festivals—Malia looks every bit as tall as her mother, if not a hair taller when she’s wearing boots.
Most experts and fashion watchers now put her at a solid 6 feet 1 inch.
That’s tall. Like, "could have played D1 volleyball" tall. But instead of the court, she’s taken those long strides straight into the heart of Hollywood. It’s not just about the number on a measuring tape, though. It’s about how she carries it. There’s this effortless, "cool girl" energy that people keep talking about. She doesn't slouch to try and fit in. She leans into it.
Why the height mystery persists
People get confused because height is relative. When she’s standing next to her dad, Barack Obama, who is about 6 feet 1 inch himself, they look almost identical in stature.
- Barack Obama: ~6'1"
- Michelle Obama: 5'11"
- Malia Obama: ~6'1"
- Sasha Obama: ~5'9"
Sasha is definitely the "short" one of the family, which is hilarious because she’s still taller than the average American woman by several inches. The average woman in the U.S. is about 5 feet 4 inches. Malia basically has nearly a foot on the "average" person.
Moving Beyond the "First Daughter" Label
Malia isn't just "the tall daughter" anymore. She’s been making some pretty loud moves in the film industry, though she’s doing it as quietly as possible. If you’ve been following her credits, you’ll notice she’s dropped the "Obama" entirely for work. She goes by Malia Ann now.
It’s a vibe. She wants the work to speak for itself.
She’s worked in the writers' room for Donald Glover’s Swarm and directed a short film called The Heart that made waves at Sundance. Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) has been vocal about her talent, basically saying she’s a workhorse who doesn’t want any special treatment. You’ve gotta respect that. In an industry built on nepotism, she’s trying to carve out a lane where her height and her last name aren't the only things people notice.
The "Malia Ann" Style Evolution
Her height has turned her into an accidental style icon. Because she’s so tall, she can pull off these oversized, baggy looks that would swallow most people whole.
- The "Puddle" Pant Look: She’s often spotted in Los Angeles wearing extremely wide-leg denim that pools at her feet. On a shorter person, this looks like a trip hazard. On Malia, it looks like a high-fashion editorial.
- The Layering Game: She loves mixing textures—cardigans over button-downs, paired with heavy leather boots.
- The Red Carpet Pivot: At the Deauville American Film Festival, she wore a Vivienne Westwood plaid outfit that was basically a masterclass in tall-girl tailoring.
She isn't trying to look "shorter" or "smaller." She often wears chunky boots or even slight heels that put her well over the 6-foot mark. It’s a level of confidence that’s fun to watch.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Malia is pursuing modeling. Every couple of years, a rumor flies around that she’s signed with IMG or some other big agency.
It hasn't happened.
While she definitely has the "model look" and the height for the runway, she’s clearly more comfortable behind the camera. She’s been seen lugging equipment and hanging out in writers' rooms more than she’s been seen at fashion weeks. She seems to prefer the "indie filmmaker" aesthetic over the "glamour girl" one.
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She's also super private. No public Instagram. No TikTok dances. Just a 27-year-old trying to figure out her career in a city where everyone is constantly looking at her.
What’s Next for Malia?
As we move through 2026, expect to see Malia Ann’s name on more directorial credits. With the Obama Presidential Center opening soon in Chicago, there’s been a lot of renewed interest in the whole family, but Malia seems content staying in her West Coast bubble.
If you're looking to keep up with her career (and maybe get some fashion inspiration for the tall girls out there), keep an eye on indie film circuits rather than political headlines.
Your Next Steps:
- Check out the credits for the show Swarm on Amazon Prime to see her early writing work.
- If you’re tall and struggle with styling, look at her "street style" archives on Pinterest; she’s basically the blueprint for oversized layering.
- Keep an eye out for her upcoming directorial projects under the name Malia Ann—she’s rumored to be working on a feature-length project soon.