Malinda Williams, a renowned actress hailing from Elizabeth, New Jersey, has graced our screens for many years, featuring in notable films like “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate,” “High School High,” and “The Wood.” Despite experiencing two divorces, she has recently found love once again.
Malinda made her television debut on “The Cosby Show” in 1987 and went on to guest star in several series, including “Moesha,” “Sister, Sister,” “Miami Vice,” “NYPD Blue,” and “Roc.” While many first fell in love with her in “The Wood,” her role as Bird in the television adaptation of “Soul Food” solidified her status as a fixture in black cinema. The show concluded in 2004.
In her personal life, Malinda fell in love with fellow “Soul Food” star Mekhi Phifer. Although they didn’t act together in the show (he was in the film while she was in the series), they spent four years together, resulting in a child named Omikaye. Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce in 2003, with Phifer openly discussing the challenges they faced. He attributed their split to their youth and rapidly advancing careers, recalling that things got so strained they resorted to living in separate parts of the house to avoid each other.
In 2008, Malinda found love once more, this time with DJ D-Nice. They were married for two years before parting ways, separating shortly after their one-year anniversary. D-Nice released a statement requesting privacy during their personal time and thanked his family and fans for their unwavering support.
While D-Nice gained newfound fame during the pandemic through his Quarantine dance parties, Malinda embarked on her third shot at love. In January 2020, she graced the cover of Black Bride magazine to celebrate her marriage to Tarik Walker, a journalist and digital media executive. They were introduced by a mutual friend who believed they could work together in business.
When asked why she said yes to Tarik, Malinda expressed that she felt she had found her perfect match. She said, “Knowing that I had truly met my reflection in Tarik and knowing that I wanted to care for this man and have him care for me no matter what the future might hold.” The couple is open about their love and frequently shares their experiences on social media, recently celebrating an anniversary. Tarik shared in a post, “MY mood FOREVER… Happy Anniversary TwinFlame! @malinsworld #love #blacklove #anniversary.”
Malinda also frequently celebrates her partner, sharing images from their time at the NAACP Awards and marking his birthday with a heartfelt message, “there’s not a single day that goes by that I don’t give thanks and celebrate your presence on this Earth and in my life. Happy Birthday .”