Malia Obama was probably happy to leave the glare of the White House in Washington, D.C., but she’s finding the spotlight is still hot now that she’s a student at Harvard University. Her dating life at school seems to be a hot topic this week thanks to TMZ, who posted photos of her kissing a mystery man at the Harvard-Yale game.
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That sent the media into a frenzy trying to discover the identity of her beau. It took only a matter of days before it was revealed by the Daily Mail that it’s 19-year-old Harvard sophomore, Rory Farquharson. He’s from the U.K., and he’s a rugby player who attended one of the most prestigious schools in England, Rugby School.
For Obama, the realization that the world is still interested in her family must come with a bit of dismay. Her parents, Michelle and Barack Obama, did their best to shield her and younger sister Sasha from the press as much as possible during their time in the White House.
After taking a gap year and interning for the Weinstein Company, Obama enrolled at Harvard, most likely hoping she could fit in as anonymously as possible. That doesn’t look like it’s going to happen with people selling the footage to TMZ.
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While many people are interested in the Obama family and how they are doing post-political life, there still should be a bubble around the two young women as they try to make their way into private life. Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush even wrote a letter to Malia and Sasha last January in Time magazine about life outside the White House because very few people understand that existence.
“Enjoy college. As most of the world knows, we did. And you won’t have the weight of the world on your young shoulders anymore. Explore your passions. Learn who you are. Make mistakes—you are allowed to,” the Bush sisters wrote. “Continue to surround yourself with loyal friends who know you, adore you and will fiercely protect you. Those who judge you don’t love you and their voices shouldn’t hold weight. Rather, it’s your own hearts that matter.”
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In many ways, they almost predicted what would happen to Obama in college — some people might not have her best interests at heart there. She might even have to tighten her circle at Harvard because her love life really isn’t for public consumption — even though she’s an adult.
The good news is that the Bush twins, who endured the same thing during their college years, understand and support the Obama girls. Life in the spotlight is tough, but both families are sticking together through this unique experience.
“Your parents, who put you first and who not only showed you, but gave you the world. As always, they will be rooting for you as you begin your next chapter,” Bush Hager and Bush summed up. “And so will we.”
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