Imani Hakim
Hakim sits in a chair against the wall. She has brown skin, her hair is in twists, and she is wearing a hoodie.
Hakim in 2018
Born (1993-08-12) August 12, 1993 (age 30)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active2005–present
Known for

Imani Hakim (born August 12, 1993)[1] is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Tonya Rock on the UPN/CW sitcom Everybody Hates Chris as well as portraying Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas in the 2014 Lifetime original movie The Gabby Douglas Story. Hakim acted in the films Chocolate City and Burning Sands, and currently has a supporting role on the Apple TV+ series Mythic Quest.[2]

Career

Hakim was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.[1] She has two older brothers and three younger brothers.[2] When she was seven, she studied acting at Karamu House Theater in Cleveland.[3] She convinced her parents to allow her to pursue a professional acting career when she was 11 and moved to Los Angeles with her father to find work.[2] They experienced homelessness during that time and frequently slept in their car.[2] However, within a few months, she booked her first role as Chris's little sister Tonya on Everybody Hates Chris.[4] The series was on-air for four seasons, from 2005 to 2009.[5] During that time, she was homeschooled.[2] In California, Hakim continued to study acting at Alexander's Workshop School in Lakewood and at The Young Actor's Space in Burbank.[citation needed]

Hakim later starred as Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas in the Lifetime biopic The Gabby Douglas Story (2014).[5][6] The next year she acted in a supporting role in the film Chocolate City starring Robert Ri'chard.[4]

As of 2020, she portrays Dana, a video game tester, on the Apple TV+ comedy series Mythic Quest.[7] The series was renewed for a third and fourth season in 2021.[2] She also co-starred in the film Dinner Party in 2020.[8][9]

Personal life

Hakim follows a vegan diet.[10] She enjoys painting in her free time.[2]

Filmography

Television and film roles
Year Title Role Notes
2005–2009 Everybody Hates Chris Tonya Rock Main role
2006 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Darcy Episode: "The Unusual Suspect"
2007 Reign Over Me Jocelyn Johnson Film
2008 The Replacements Tiffany Voice role; 2 episodes
2009 ER Anastasia Johnson 3 episodes
2009 Wizards of Waverly Place Jump Rope Girl Episode: "Marathoner Helper"
2014 The Gabby Douglas Story Gabby Douglas Television film
2015 Chocolate City Carmen Film
2016 Sharknado: The 4th Awakens Gabrielle Television film
2017 Chocolate City: Vegas Strip Carmen Direct-to-video film
2017 Sollers Point Cadance Film
2017 Burning Sands Rochon Film
2018 Down for Whatever Sonya Television film
2018 Cam Hannah Darin / Baby Film
2020 – present Mythic Quest Dana Main role
2023 Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake Beth 2 episodes
2023 Pokémon Concierge Alisa

References

  1. ^ a b Bona, Marc (January 30, 2012). "Imani Hakim: Your 2 p.m. Buckeye Bits A&E trivia". Cleveland.com. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Pener, Degen (June 2, 2021). ""These Types of Women Need More Representation": Imani Hakim on her 'Mythic Quest' Video Game Tester Character". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  3. ^ Crump, Sarah (May 23, 2009). "Terrence Spivey of Karamu House shares his favorite Cleveland places: My Cleveland". cleveland. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Staff, Shadow and Act. "Interview: Robert Ri'chard and Imani Hakim on Child Stardom to "Chocolate City"". Shadow and Act. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Duckett, Michaela A. (January 31, 2014). "On the record with actress Imani Hakim". www.thecharlottepost.com. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  6. ^ Hall, Jermaine (January 17, 2014). "Vixen Chat: Imani Hakim on Playing Gold Medalist, Gabby Douglas". VIBE.com. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  7. ^ Madden Toby, Mekeisha (May 5, 2021). "Mythic Quest's Imani Hakim Previews a Season 2 That Answers the Dana and Rachel LGBTQ 'Will They/Won't They'". TVLine. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  8. ^ Yvonne, Stacey (July 8, 2021). "Imani Hakim Opens the Gates for All Gamer Girls in 'Mythic Quest'". Black Girl Nerds. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  9. ^ Imani Hakim cast bio on The CW, archived at The Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Vo, Thao (April 6, 2018). "Everybody Hates Chris Star, Imani Hakim Opens Up About Suffering Depression & Anxiety and Her Mission to Help Young Girls Around the World". Sheen Magazine. Retrieved July 30, 2021.

External links

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