Essence gu™
  • FASHION
    • FASHION NEWS
    • ACCESSORIES
    • FEATURES
    • FASHION WEEK
  • BEAUTY
    • SKIN
    • MAKEUP
    • HAIR
    • NAILS
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • GU JAMS
    • FILM
    • TV
    • RADIO
    • BOOKS
    • TECH
    • SPORTS
  • WELLNESS
    • RELATIONSHIPS
    • SEX
    • HEALTH
    • FOOD
    • ASTROLOGY
  • BUSINESS
    • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
    • MONEY
    • CAREERS
    • ADVICE
  • FEEDBACK
    • NEWS
    • IDENTITY
    • ACTIVISM
    • POLITICS
    • LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
  • SHOPPING
    • FASHION
    • BEAUTY
    • TECH
    • LIFESTYLE
  • Videos
  • GU Summit 2024
  • ESSENCE.COM
  • SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Subscribe to Trending News

Our weekly newsletter with the latest celebrity news, fashion updates, interviews and exclusive offers!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. By supplying your cell phone number, you consent to receive marketing messages from ESSENCE. Please note that standard messaging rates apply from your provider.
  • FASHION
    • FASHION NEWS
    • ACCESSORIES
    • FEATURES
    • FASHION WEEK
  • BEAUTY
    • SKIN
    • MAKEUP
    • HAIR
    • NAILS
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • GU JAMS
    • FILM
    • TV
    • RADIO
    • BOOKS
    • TECH
    • SPORTS
  • WELLNESS
    • RELATIONSHIPS
    • SEX
    • HEALTH
    • FOOD
    • ASTROLOGY
  • BUSINESS
    • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
    • MONEY
    • CAREERS
    • ADVICE
  • FEEDBACK
    • NEWS
    • IDENTITY
    • ACTIVISM
    • POLITICS
    • LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
  • SHOPPING
    • FASHION
    • BEAUTY
    • TECH
    • LIFESTYLE
  • Videos
  • GU Summit 2024
  • ESSENCE.COM
  • SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER
Home • Entertainment

Lexi Underwood To Star As Malia Obama In 'The First Lady'

The Showtime event series will also star and be executive produced by Viola Davis as Michelle Obama.
Lexi Underwood To Play Malia Obama In ‘The First Lady’
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 19: Lexi Underwood attends Hulu Little Fires Everywhere Press Brunch at ROSS HOUSE on February 19, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Erik Voake/Getty Images for Hulu)
By D'Shonda Brown · Updated May 1, 2024

Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere breakout star Lexi Underwood has officially been announced to play Malia Obama in Showtime’s anthology series The First Lady, as reported by Deadline. Created and executive produced by Aaron Cooley, The First Lady will star Viola Davis as Michelle Obama, Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford and Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt as it details the world of American politics from inside the White House and through the lens of the women at the nucleus of it all.

Opposite Underwood will be O-T Fagbenle as former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama will be played by Davis, who will be serving as an executive producer for the Susanne Bier directed series. Other confirmed cast members include Aaron Eckhart, Rhys Wakefield, Judy Greer, Kristine Froseth, and Jayme Lawson who will be portraying a young Michelle Obama. The Alienist actress Dakota Fanning has also been casted in The First Lady to play Susan Ford, the only daughter and youngest child of President Gerald Ford and Betty Ford.

Underwood gained attention for her acting skills after her role as Mia in Little Fires Everywhere starring Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon, which earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination for outstanding performance by a youth in a series, special, television movie or limited series. Underwood made her Broadway debut as Young Nala in The Lion King at the age of 11 and has since been in notable TV series including Criminal Minds, The Good Doctor and Raven’s Home.

She can also be seen starring as Kira in the Disney+ hip-hop Cinderella-inspired musical, Sneakerella. In this project, which has an unannounced release date, Underwood will have young Black Hollywood newcomer Chosen and NBA star and actor John Salley as castmates.

TOPICS:  Lexi Underwood Malia Obama Michelle Obama
Connecticut Family Seeks Answers After Lauren Smith-Fields Was Found Unresponsive In Her Apartment

COMPANY
INFORMATION

OUR COMPANY
CONTACT US
JOB OPPORTUNITIES

SUBSCRIBE

NEWSLETTERS
DISCOVER MORE EVENTS
Follow Us

MORE ON
ESSENCE GU™

HOME
RELATIONSHIPS
BEAUTY
HAIR
FASHION
EVENTS

ESSENCE GU™ is part of ESSENCE Ventures

ESSENCE GU™ may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Ventures. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms