The untold truth of Sasha Obama

The untold truth of Sasha Obama

Ever since her father took office in 2009, Sasha Obama has been known almost solely as a president's daughter. Growing up both in the public eye, but also under extreme protection, it's safe to say that Obama's childhood was anything but ordinary. And yet, the famous daughter has had some moments over the years that help teens relate to her.

There's more to know about this presidential teen than just her father. At 16 years old as of June 2017, the little girl who came to the White House is no longer so little. And now that Obama is well into her teenage years and no longer obligated to be the first daughter, she's doing big things. 

While people of the United States and the world have seen Obama through the years, there's still quite a few things you probably don't know about her. So let's take a closer look at some unexpected facts about Sasha Obama.

Sasha isn't her real name

The United States, and really the world, first got to meet Obama during her father's race for the White House. Once he won the election and moved into the White House in 2009, then 7-year-old Obama was instantly in public view.

Over the next eight years, the world saw her grow up, changing from a young girl to a full-fledged teenager. One would think by the time her father left office eight years later, there wouldn't be much unknown about the teen. But that's just not the case. In fact, many never knew that Sasha isn't her name. 

It turns out, Sasha is actually short for Natasha. Mind blown. Although this wasrevealed in 2016 when news outlets reported she was using her full first name for a summer job on Martha's Vineyard (more on that later), it flew under the radar. That is until Twitter user Ashley C. Fordshared the news in 2017, sending all of Twitter into a frenzy. 

One Twitter user commented on the first daughter's name, sharing, "My entire life is a lie." And, of course, the GIF responseswere amazing, as one expects from Twitter.

Meeting Ryan Reynolds was major for her

Sometimes it's hard to picture Obama as a real teen going through the same things as the average kid, but then those beautiful moments happen to remind the world that Obama is super relatable and just like everyone else growing up… well, most of the time.

A perfect example of this came in 2016 when Obama attended her first state dinner. It just so happened that there were some celebrities there, including the crush-worthy Ryan Reynolds. And let's just say, being daughter of the president has some major perks as Obama had the opportunity to meet the actor.

As Time reported, there was a great photo-op where Obama met Reynolds with her sister Malia looking on, giving a thumbs up to her lucky sister. Obama's joy at meeting the actor is just how other teens — and, honestly, adults — would react during that interaction. You go girl.

Can I take your order?

Being the president's daughter doesn't necessarily leave you with any special treatment — at least that's the case in the Obama household. Just like many other teens who find themselves in the summer months with no school and a lot of time on their hands, it's the perfect time to take on that classic summer job. That's just what Sasha Obama did.

Customers who visited Nancy's, a seafood restaurant on the island of Martha's Vineyard, in the summer of 2016 may have noticed an employee who looked very familiar. No, that wasn't a trick of the eyes. The employee in question looked familiar for a very clear reason. 

As later reported by the Boston Herald, then-15-year-old Sasha Obama worked the takeout window at the restaurant for the summer months that year, accompanied by Secret Service agents. A fellow waiter told the Boston Herald, "We were wondering why there were six people helping this girl, but then we found out who it was." 

Not exactly your typical summer job experience, but close!

Drake considers her a "Style Popper"

Both Sasha Obama and her older sister Malia have been popular with the press, but it wasn't just writers and photographers who have shown interested in the two young women. They have received some celebrity notices as well. Specifically, it was the younger Sasha Obama who grabbed the attention of a certain rapper.

In early 2017, Obama was spotted in Miami enjoying some fun and relaxation in the sun. As reported by Us Weekly, the teen was spotted on the beach wearing a baseball hat with Drake's OvO symbol on it.

Not only did Drake notice that photo of Obama, but the rapper went even further and gave her a shout-out on social media. He posted a photo of the teen in her baseball cap, with the caption, "Style Popper."

Just another normal day for the one of the coolest teens ever. No big deal, right?

Besties with Joe Biden's granddaughter

Having a friend who gets your way of life is key. This is why it makes total sense that one of Sasha Obama's best friends is Maisy Biden, former Vice President Joe Biden's granddaughter.

Both girls were in the spotlight from a young age, which seems to have helped the ladies relate to one another. It also doesn't hurt that they have more in common than just that. Obama and Biden played basketball together and they both love soccer, according to the Chicago Tribune.

They're school friends too, having attended Sidwell Friends School in Washington. And, as the ultimate test of friendship, the two have even vacation together in the past. AsUs Weekly reported, the two were seen hanging out in Miami in early 2017.

Who knows, once college rolls around maybe they'll go to the same school and even be roomies? One can only hope.

Just your typical teenage slumber party

When one has only one night left to live in the White House, how should she celebrate? Sasha Obama and her sister Malia had the celebration plans covered when it came to their last night in their home of eight years.

The sisters went to their mom with a very specific request for the evening. As reported by Today, Michelle described during a conference just what that request was from her daughters. So just how fancy and extreme were these requests? It was much simpler than one might imagine. 

She shared, "They had a sleepover because of course on Inauguration Day, because my girls are so normal, they're like, 'Well, eight girls are gonna be sleeping here because it's our last time, and we want pizza and we want nuggets.' And it's like, really?"

Nuggets and pizza? Yes, really! That's the ultimate way to spend a last night in the White House. Bravo, ladies.

Her entourage includes a reality show star

Maisy Biden is not the only friend with whom Sasha Obama spends her time hanging out and vacationing. She's also not her only famous friend. The well-known teen has another friend, Skylar, who was spotted at Obama's 16th birthday celebration, as reported by AOL.

Skylar has also famously been in front of the camera, but not for political reasons. In fact, Skylar and her family are famousbecause they live out their lives in front of the camera. Skylar's mom, Charrisse Jackson Jordan, is one of the housewives on The Real Housewives of Potomac on Bravo. 

While Jackson Jordan hasn't spent time with the Obamas, she spoke about her daughter's friendship with Obama on Bravo, sharing, "Skylar and Sasha [Obama] are friends. They go to lunch. Secret Service is out there standing outside while Skylar and Sasha's having lunch." It's just a totally normal friendship — sort of.

She has the best room in the Obama house

Being the baby of the family has some major perks, especially when your parents are decorating and designing a new house. When the Obama family left the White House, it was time to find a new house to call "home." Because they took the time to find the right house, the family members had a chance to have a say in the designs.

Michelle spoke to their move during an interview on Ellen. And who did she think got the best deal? "Sasha actually killed in this house. She has this two-room suite, it's all decked out. She has like a living room area and a bedroom."

But what about the former president? Hemust have more space. That's not quite the case. The former first lady shared, "He's got the smallest room for his office. So he's really hating on her [Sasha]."

She went big for her super sweet 16

As the former president's daughter, Sasha Obama has seen her fair share of parties. It should come as no surprise then that when it came time for the famous teen to celebrate her sweet 16, she would do it big and have an epic celebration.

In May 2017 she did just that with her party. No longer the little girl who first came into the White House, Obama wore a fabulous red dress by Jill Jill Stuart for the big event, as reported by Business Insider. 

Photos leaked on social media revealed that the teen was surrounded by friends for the big event, but she also made sure to include a couple of other important people on the guest list. This included her parents, who were by her side for her exclusive and private birthday party, as seen in additional leaked photos on Instagram that gave the public a quick glimpse into the big evening.