Actress Malika Haqq is reflecting on a career that unfolded in public view, from her early acting break in the 2006 cult film ATL to her long-standing role within the Kardashian universe, offering rare candor on the Her Rich Life podcast hosted by Lisa Easton.
On the episode, Haqq revisits her entry into Hollywood alongside her twin sister, Khadijah, describing how the pair moved from audition to audition before landing their roles as Veda and Star in ATL. “We were still in the acting groove,” Haqq said, recalling how the film became a defining moment. “It was the movie that put Malika and Khadijah on. They don’t know us by name, but they know our face.”
The Atlanta shoot also marked a turning point personally. Shortly after filming wrapped, Khadijah met her future husband, an NFL player, and eventually relocated to New Orleans. The shift left Haqq navigating Los Angeles on her own. “I never really had a dream of having a career by myself,” she said, noting that her sister’s move felt like her own career “just left.”
During that period, Haqq leaned on her childhood friendship with Khloé Kardashian, which began when they were teenagers. Kardashian was present during the ATL shoot, a reminder that their bond predated fame. That friendship later became intertwined with reality television when Haqq joined Keeping Up With the Kardashians almost by accident.
Haqq recalled working at the Dash boutique with Kardashian when Kris Jenner approached her about signing on to a new reality series. “Reality was still very new,” Haqq said. “They basically told us, ‘You’re only going to get one season.’” Instead, the show became a cultural phenomenon. As filming intensified, Kardashian encouraged Haqq to leave the store and work directly with her. “I became her assistant,” Haqq said. “Best friends, get to run around the world together.”
Reflecting on their relationship, Haqq emphasized how deeply rooted it is. “We spent every day together,” she said of their early years, from home studies to sleeping at each other’s houses. On Her Rich Life, Haqq frames that history as the foundation for her growth as an actress, friend, and mother—one shaped as much by behind-the-scenes moments as by the spotlight itself.
Watch the full episode below.
