In the world of Hollywood, anybody can do anything. While this definitely pertains to things such as acting and producing, anyone can also become a writer, too. While there have been many examples of public figures stepping outside of their career path to write for film and television, perhaps Malia Obama is one of the strangest. After all, she is best known for being the eldest of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama's two daughters.
Malia Obama co-wrote an episode of the 2023 series, Swarm, which was created by Donald Glover and Janine Nabers. Additionally, Billie Eilish is set to have a part in the project. And one of these episodes credits Malia Obama as a writer. Here's whether or not she was actually paid for her work...
What Is Swarm?
Swarm is a new Amazon Prime Video series created by Donald Glover and Janine Nabers. The series is a dark comedy about a young woman named Dre who is obsessed with a Beyoncé-esque pop star named NI'Jah. Dre's obsession eventually leads her to join a cult of NI'Jah's fans called the Swarm.
The series stars Chris Brown collaborator Chloe Bailey as Dre, Damson Idris as Khalid, Paris Jackson as Marissa, and Billie Eilish as Eva. Eilish makes a surprise appearance in the fourth episode of the series as a fictionalized version of herself. She is seen performing at a concert and interacting with Dre. NaSwana Moon also stars in Swarm, and has discussed her time on the show in quite a few interviews.
Swarm is a dark and twisted look at the world of celebrity worship. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession and the power of social media. The series has been praised for its originality and its sharp social commentary.
Glover and Nabers have said that they were inspired to create Swarm by their own experiences with celebrity culture. They wanted to create a show that would explore the dark side of fandom and the ways in which social media can be used to manipulate people.
The series has been met with mixed reviews. Some critics have praised the show's originality and its sharp social commentary, while others have found it to be too dark and disturbing. However, the show has been a commercial success, and it has been renewed for a second season.
How Was Malia Obama Involved In Donald Glover's Swarm?
Given the themes of celebrity worship, it shouldn't be surprising that Billie Eilish and Malia Obama would wind up involved. Two A-list stars by the time they turned 18, know better than anyone else about this particular subject.
Obama's involvement in the series was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter in March 2023. The report stated that Obama was working as a production assistant on the show, which is created by Glover and Janine Nabers.
In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, a spokesperson for Obama confirmed her involvement in the series, saying, "Malia is a writer and filmmaker, and she's interested in all aspects of the entertainment industry. She's decided to work as a production assistant on 'Swarm' to learn more about how TV shows are made."
Obama's involvement in Swarm is not her first experience with the entertainment industry. Back in 2017, she interned at the Weinstein Company, where she worked on the development of several film projects. She also interned at the television production company Higher Ground Productions, which is founded by her parents.
It is unclear what Obama's specific duties were on the set of Swarm. However, her experience as a production assistant is likely to give her valuable insights into the making of television shows. It is also possible that she may have contributed to the writing of the show, as she is a writer herself.
Did Malia Obama Make Any Money From Co-Writing Swarm?
According to the Writers Guild of America, the average salary for a writer on a streaming television series is $35,000 per episode. However, this salary can vary depending on the writer's experience and the budget of the show.
It is also possible, however unlikely, that Obama received a bonus for co-writing the episode. This is often done when a writer's work is particularly well-received. In addition to her salary, Obama may also have received royalties from the sale of the episode. Royalties are a percentage of the profits that a show makes. They are typically paid to writers, actors, and other creative personnel.
With that being said, Malia doesn't really need the money. Malia Obama's net worth is estimated to be around $1 million. This includes the money she has made from her various internships and writing projects, as well as the money she inherited from her parents.
Obama's parents, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are both wealthy individuals. Barack Obama's net worth is estimated to be around $70 million, and Michelle Obama's net worth is estimated to be around $50 million. In addition to that, all of the Obamas are guaranteed safety and security for the rest of their lives and can live off their political stature if need be. Even Malia's grandkids are certainly in good hands.
Malia's been pretty busy in her own right, aside from her work on Swarm. According to Sportskeeda, she graduated from Harvard University in 2021 with a degree in Visual and Environmental Studies.
According to Washington Post, Malia is also interested in social justice and activism. She has worked with the Obama Foundation's My Brother's Keeper initiative, which aims to help young men of color succeed. She has also spoken out about the importance of voting and civic engagement.
Overall, Malia seems to have one foot in the door of arts and entertainment, while her other foot is attempting to follow in her parent's political footsteps. Given her connection to Hollywood writer Kal Penn, it shouldn't be a surprise she wants to write movies so bad.
