In 2012, Michelle Obama told People that her daughter Malia Obama had "an interest in filmmaking." To garner experience in the entertainment industry, PBS reported that Malia worked as a production assistant for CBS's "Extant" in 2014. In 2015, she also interned with the HBO show "Girls." According to PBS, Malia opted to take a gap year once she decided on Harvard — and she spent her time traveling in South America and Indonesia. Barack and Michelle's eldest entered Harvard as a freshman in 2017 and graduated in 2021. Just like her parents, Malia excelled in her studies. Per Biography, she received the Thomas Temple Hoopes Prize for "excellent undergraduate work and excellence in the art of teaching."

During her time in undergrad, Malia majored in Visual and Environmental Studies, according to the Harvard department's website. This makes sense, given her interest in filming. Per Harvard, the college's Arts Film and Visual Studies Department offers courses in theory and analysis of film, as well as hands-on technical classes where students learn how to use cameras and editing equipment. 2021 proved to be a pivotal year for Malia, because not only did she graduate from Harvard at this time, but she was recruited as a writer for the TV series, "Hive." According to Harper's Bazaar, the series involves a Beyoncé-esque character. "Hive" is being produced for Amazon Prime as part of a content deal between the streaming service and actor Donald Glover.