Inappropriate Outfits The Obama Sisters Have Been Caught Wearing
Being the president's daughter may have its perks, but it does come with the cost of your privacy. The Obama sisters can relate, as we've watched them grow throughout the years from children into stunning, young women. When we were first introduced to Malia and Sasha in 2009, the two were ten and seven years old respectively, per Time. Similar to child stars, we sometimes forget that the Obama sisters are growing up and making their own names for themselves outside of their parents. Unfortunately, with growth comes criticism for doing normal things that young adults do.
As the young ladies grew before our eyes, the Obama sisters have faced backlash and caused controversy for doing normal things. For instance, Malia became the topic of headlines because of a video of her smoking that circulated on the internet. In most cases, the two daughters of former President Barack Obama face the harshest (and most ridiculous) criticism just for their outfit choices. Let's take a look at some of the outfits the Obama sisters wore that have caused a frenzy in the past.
Malia and Sasha Obama were blasted for their Thanksgiving Day outfits
Even during a family holiday, Malia and Sasha Obama couldn't seem to escape criticism for their style choices. In November 2014, a GOP staffer slammed the former first daughters for their 'inappropriate' outfits for Thanksgiving Day. Sasha wore a short dress, paired with a long cardigan, socks and boots, while Malia wore a mini plaid skirt, sweater and tights.
In a now-deleted Facebook rant, Elizabeth Lauten, communications director for Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn.), called out Malia and Sasha Obama for their 'classless' attitudes during the presidential Thanksgiving address. "Dear Sasha and Malia, I get you're both in those awful teenage years, but you're a part of the first Family, try showing a little class," Lauten wrote (via New York Daily News). "Then again your mother and father don't respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter, so I'm guessing you're coming up a little short in the 'good role model' department."
Lauten continued on to their outfits. "Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar. And certainly don't make faces during televised, public events," she added.
Lauten later deleted the message and issued an apology to the Obama sisters: "I reacted to an article and quickly judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager. After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents and re-reading my words online, I can see more clearly how hurtful my words were." Sounds like somebody's projecting.
Sasha and Malia Obama's dresses were 'too expensive' for the State Dinner
Malia and Sasha Obama's outfits during their time in office often were age-appropriate. Although it met the requirements with the older audiences watching them, many critics were unsatisfied with the price tags on some of their looks. At their first White House State Dinner in 2016, Malia and Sasha opted for dresses made by designer Naeem Khan. The dresses were loaned to them for the occasion, but naysayers had an issue with the fact that their embroidered appliqué gowns cost upwards $20,000.
Malia chose a blush gown with crystal beading, which once retailed on Moda Operandi for $17,990. Sasha, on the other hand, chose a bold appliqué ball gown in shades of cranberry, turquoise, black and beige, which formerly sold for $19,990, per News One.
Kristen Sze, an ABC News anchor in San Francisco, criticized the First Family for letting Malia and Sasha wear expensive dresses in a now-deleted tweet. She later retracted her statement in a follow-up tweet, writing, "Deleted tweets when realized they failed big time. Didn't mean 2 hurt any feelings. #mybad." Unfortunately, Sze's apology tweet didn't stop Twitter users from dragging her for her comments.
Sasha Obama allegedly shows off her midriff in leaked photo
After graduating from high school, Sasha Obama quietly enrolled as a student at the University of Michigan. Compared to Malia, we've seen Sasha's personality flourish in since-deleted TikTok videos with her friends. In one video, Sasha is reciting the lyrics to Moneybagg Yo's "Said Sum," which sent a few critics over the edge. Despite harsh words, celebrities came to the defense of the former first daughter, per Daily Mail.
Shortly after the video surfaced on social media, Sasha made headlines once more in December 2020 after MEFeater Magazine's Twitter account shared a photo of a woman who seemingly resembles her. In the photo, the woman — who is presumably thought to be Sasha — is wearing a crop top and bikini bottoms. The woman shows off her midriff as well as what appears to be a rib tattoo. The photo sparked debate about whether or not it was Sasha, given the matching necklaces appearing similar to the ones she wore from the deleted TikTok videos. The mystery of whether or not the woman in the picture is Sasha has yet to be solved, but many celebs have come out in support of Sasha's fashion choices.
No matter how old the Obama sisters get, it seems that people will never forget that they are no longer the little children we met when former President Barack Obama got in office. In the meantime, we adore the rare moments we see of the Obama sisters enjoying their lives.