Malia Obama was all smiles as she stepped out for the first time since rumors erupted that her parents are headed for divorce.
The former First Daughter, 26, was photographed enjoying an evening stroll with a friend following a workout class on Wednesday.
They exited a Pilates studio and walked through West Hollywood to a nearby restaurant.
Budding director Malia appeared in good spirits, smiling and chatting with the unnamed companion, despite immense speculation that her parents, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, are having marital problems.
She dressed warmly for the evening out, opting for an oversized gray sweater that she wore over a white tank top, along with baggy black pants and a long black trench coat.
She paired the outfit with a green scarf and black flats, and left her auburn long locks in loose waves around her face.
The top hung loosely off of her shoulder at one point.
Malia’s outing came days after younger sister Sasha Obama, 23, looked downcast as she strolled through Los Angeles clutching a handful of books.
Malia Obama covered up as she stepped out for the first time since rumors erupted that her parents are headed for divorce
The former First Daughter, 26, was photographed enjoying an evening stroll with a friend following a workout class on Wednesday
Budding director Malia appeared in good spirits, smiling and chatting with the unnamed companion
Dressed casually in a green cardigan, blue shirt and denim skirt, Sasha appeared tense and preoccupied during the walk.
She appeared completely at ease despite immense speculation that her parents, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, are having marital problems
‘Sasha isn’t known for being especially smiley and upbeat. But on this occasion she looked truly miserable,’ an onlooker told DailyMail.com.
‘It’s not hard to understand why. It can’t be easy for her to hear all these reports about her parents splitting up, regardless of what the truth is behind the rumors.’
Speculation erupted about Barack and Michelle’s relationship after fans began to notice that the former First Lady has been mysteriously absent from her husband’s side in recent weeks.
She was not present at former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral on January 9 due to a ‘scheduling conflict.’
In addition, she did not attend Donald Trump‘s inauguration ceremony with her husband last Monday.
The Office of Barack and Michelle Obama told Associated Press in a statement beforehand, ‘Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies.
‘Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration.’
Malia and her friend exited a Pilates studio and walked through West Hollywood to a nearby restaurant
She dressed warmly for the evening out, opting for an oversized gray sweater that she wore over a white tank top, along with baggy black pants and a long black trench coat
She paired the outfit with a green scarf and black flats, and left her auburn long locks in loose waves around her face
Speculation erupted about Barack and Michelle’s relationship after fans began to notice that the former First Lady has been mysteriously absent from her husband’s side in recent weeks
Immediately after the announcement, fans of the political power couple became concerned that there may be trouble in paradise.
‘I’m calling it, the Obamas are getting a divorce,’ wrote one person on X, formerly Twitter.
Another posted: ‘An Obama divorce would not be on my 2025 predictions but it might happen.’
‘[Michelle] and Obama are on the outs. They are getting a divorce. She doesn’t want to be around him,’ someone else said.
‘Sounds like an Obama divorce is on the horizon, we’ve all seen it, they stop attending functions together,’ a fourth tweet read.
Barack attempted to shut down the speculation when he posted a gushing tribute to the ‘love of his life’ Michelle in honor of her 61st birthday on January 17.
‘Happy birthday to the love of my life, @MichelleObama,’ he wrote, alongside a snap that showed them holding hands while enjoying dinner.
‘You fill every room with warmth, wisdom, humor, and grace – and you look good doing it. I’m so lucky to be able to take on life’s adventures with you. Love you.’
Amidst the rumors, Malia got some air during a nighttime stroll with her friend
Malia wore minimal makeup for the evening out and dressed casually
Malia appeared in much better spirits than her younger sister, Sasha Obama, who was spotted a few days ago looking downcast
The image featured a smiling Barack in a gray button down top and black dress pants, as he sat across from Michelle, who donned a dark V-neck sweater dress and a patterned headpiece.
They lovingly grabbed each other’s hands as they faced the camera.
Michelle replied by sharing the post to her own account alongside a simple caption that read: ‘Love you, honey!’
In addition, the former President attempted to make it clear that he and his wife were still very much a team in a statement he posted regarding the horrific plane crash in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.
While sharing a moving message to the people who lost loved ones in the tragedy, Barack, 63, used terms such as ‘our hearts break’ and ‘Michelle and I send our prayers’ – a subtle shut down of the ongoing speculation that they are headed for divorce.
Barack wrote, ‘Our hearts break for the families who lost loved ones in the tragic plane and helicopter crash at DCA.
‘Michelle and I send our prayers and condolences to everyone who is mourning today, and we’re grateful to the first responders who are doing everything they can to help under extremely difficult circumstances.’
Michelle, 61, re-shared his emotional post to her own account.
The former President attempted to make it clear that he and his wife were still very much a team in a statement he posted regarding the horrific plane crash in D.C. on Thursday
While sharing a message to the people who lost loved ones in the tragedy, Barack, 63, used terms like ‘our hearts break’ and ‘Michelle and I send our prayers’
One day earlier, the couple released another joint statement announcing that The Obama Presidential Center would be honoring Hadiya Pendleton.
Hadiya, an honor roll student, was murdered in 2013 just days after performing with her majorette squad at the second inauguration of Barack.
The Obama’s announced they will be opening a memorial garden in her honor inside Barack’s namesake center in Chicago in the coming years.
Michelle shared the news on her Instagram Stories, adding: ‘[Hadiya] had an extraordinary light that will not be forgotten, and Barack and I look forward to honoring her memory.’
In a message posted directly to the center’s website, Michelle also referenced Barack as ‘my husband.’
The last time the pair was seen together was in early mid-December, over a month ago, when they stepped out for dinner in Los Angeles.
And UK-based body language expert Judi James told DailyMail.com that they showed ‘no active signs of togetherness’ during their last public outing.
She said that Barack looked ‘rather somber’ during the date, and pointed out that he ‘walked behind his wife’ rather than next to her.
Photos from the evening show Michelle smiling at cameras as she headed out of the popular celebrity hotspot Mother Wolf – while her husband trailed behind, with a more serious expression.
After they got into their car, Michelle’s smile faded, and they were both seen starring ahead as they sat side by side.
‘[Barack] looks rather somber here but otherwise relaxed as he walks behind his wife, who sports the kind of wide, beaming smile with downward-pointing eye-gaze that suggests a coy kind of happiness,’ Judi said.
‘Sitting together in the car they both stare ahead in the photo but this is a common celebrity response if the paparazzi are lighting up the sky outside.’
However, she also noted, ‘There is no sign in that shot of any chatting or coupling up between them.’
The expert added that while Michelle looked ‘relaxed and happy’ on their walk to the car, they had ‘no active signals of togetherness,’ despite being in public.
‘Michelle looks relaxed and happy walking to the car but there are no active signals of togetherness for the cameras, with Barack himself wearing a more serious or dour expression as he walks behind his wife,’ she explained.
Last October, actress Jennifer Aniston publicly shut down ‘absolutely untrue’ claims by a US gossip magazine that she and Barack were in a relationship.
The rumor was compounded by the hosts of a popular pop culture podcast Who? Weekly, who claimed that the Obamas were ‘living separate lives’ while he and Jennifer were having a full-blown affair.
The Friends star told a US TV chat show host: ‘I’ve met him once. I know Michelle more than him.’
