American Actress, Cast of UPN/CW Sitcom 'Everybody Hates Chris'

Imani Hakim | Biography

Played lead role in television documentary movie 'The Gabby Douglas Story'

• By Reena Chikanbanjar
• Update : October 24, 2021

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Imani Hakim is an American actress prominently known for her role as Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas in Lifetime's award-winning biopic 'The Gabby Douglas Story.'

Who Is Imani Hakim?

Imani Hakim is an American television and film actor. Hakim then began her professional acting career at 11. She appeared as a series regular in the UPN/CW sitcom Everybody Hates Chris from 2005 to 2009. However, Hakim rose to greater prominence starring in the role of Gabby Douglas in the biographical sports drama television movie The Gabby Douglas Story in 2014. In addition, she also received acclaim for portraying the role of a video game tester, Dana, in the comedy series Mythic Quest that premiered in 2020.

How Old Is Imani Hakim?

Imani Hakim was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on 12 August 1993. 

Early Life & Parents

Hakim was raised by her parents in a close-knit family with her five brothers. 

She was only seven years old when she decided she wanted to be an actress. She subsequently became involved at the local theater named Karamu House Theater. Later, when she was 11, she persuaded her parents to let her pursue a professional acting career, and she and her father traveled to Los Angeles to look for acting jobs.

Television Career

Hakim kicked off her professional acting at 11 when she was cast in the role of Tonya Rock in the UPN/CW musical comedy-drama Everybody Hates Chris. She earned the role of Tonya in the sitcom after convincing her father to travel from their hometown to Los Angeles to pursue her career in acting. As a result, she booked the role in the sitcom within three months of being in Los Angeles. "If my father hadn't been willing to make sacrifices for me, I would have never won the role on Everybody Hates Chris," Hakim credits her father for her career. 

In 2008, she voiced Tiffany's featured character in two episodes of Disney Channel's animated comedy television series The Replacements. The following year, Hakim portrayed the role of Anastasia Johnson in three episodes of the romantic drama television series ER, created by Michael Crichton. In 2009, she also guest-starred as Jump Rope Girl in one episode titled 'Marathoner Helper' of the television series Wizards of Waverly Place.

Hakim then guest-starred on State of Affairs in 2014 and Acting for a Cause in 2020 before scoring a lead role in television series. In 2020, she started starring in the role of Dana in the comedy sitcom Mythic Quest.

Besides television series, Hakim also appeared in several television movies such as One Angry Juror (2010), The Gabby Douglas Story (2014), Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens (2016), and Down for Whatever (2018).

'Everybody Hates Chris'

In the UPN/CW sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, Hakim portrayed the role of Tonya Rock, the annoying younger sister of the title character Chris (played by Tyler James Williams). Tonya Rock is a 9-year-old spoiled, manipulative, vain, and smart-mouthed girl. Hakim played the role of Tonya in the comedy series through all four seasons from 2005 to 2009.

The sitcom chronicles the teenage life of the famous comedian, Chris Rock. Rock himself created the sitcom with Ali LeRoi. The sitcom premiered on 22 September 2005. It was concluded in 2009 after running for four seasons and 88 episodes. 

'The Gabby Douglas Story'

Lifetime's biographical sports drama television movie The Gabby Douglas Story follows the story of the childhood and teen years of Gabby Douglas. She is the first African American gymnast to earn the individual all-around title in Olympic history, and the first American gymnast to earn a gold medal in both individual and team competitions.

Hakim portrayed the title character, Gabby Douglas, during her time as a teenager and young adult. The television movie was released on 1 February 2014. It won the 'Grace Award' and 'Faith and Freedom Award' in 2015.

'Mythic Quest'

Hakim scored another prominent role in the Apple TV+ comedy series Mythic Quest in 2020. She played the role of a young and earnest video game tester, Dana, in Mythic Quest, representing Black women in tech. The series first aired on 7 February 2020 and completed its second season on 25 June 2021. 

Films and Short Films

Hakim made her big-screen debut in the role of Jocelyn Johnson in Mike Binder's film Reign Over Me in 2007. Her next film role came in 2015 when she portrayed the role of Jacqueline in the horror-thriller film Some Kind of Hate. 

In 2017, she appeared in Burning Sands, Chocolate City: Vegas, and Sollers Point. The following year, she appeared in the horror-thriller film, Cam. She then played the role of Izzy in the 2021 film Dinner Party.

Hakim has also appeared in several short movies, including Mean Gurlz (2013), LA Bound: 7 Things Nobody Tells You About Moving to LA (2014), The Dissection of Jack & Jill (2017), All Part of the Game: Part 2 Fouls (2018), and Nightcap: Mariana (2019).

As a Director and Producer

Hakim made her directorial debut in the 2019 short film Nightcap: Mariana, which she also co-produced and co-starred with Chris Naoki Lee. Hakim also co-produced the 2021 film Dinner Party.

What Is Imani Hakim's Net Worth?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Hakim has an estimated net worth of $500 thousand as of October 2021. 

Relationship

In a June 2021 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Hakim hinted at being in a relationship without revealing her partner's identity. "My partner and I will blast some music and buy a really giant canvas and we will paint together. We also have date nights in the park. We’ll bring our chessboard and we’ll play chess in the park. I really like to be outdoors, whether it’s a staycation somewhere or going to the beach or going to the park," she said when asked about her personal interests.

Mental Health

Hakim suffered from depression and anxiety over the years. She told Sheen Magazine that she isolated herself after suffering from depression, but that was not the best option. "Anxiety and depression can be a scary thing so to have that open dialogue with the people you love helps a lot. I go to was to isolate myself, which wasn't the best option but talking with others and practicing habits that makes you feel good is important," she said.

Did You Know?

• Hakim says she loves being active. 
• She enjoys painting, playing chess, and going outdoors. 
• Furthermore, Hakim has engaged in the fight against racism. Following the murder of George Floyd, she shared her feeling about it on her Instagram post. Besides social media posts, she also attended protest rallies and marches.