Today we’d like to introduce you to Malia Arrayah
Hi Malia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in the Bay Area, CA by a single mother, Yvette Nahinu and two older brothers, Nick and Christopher. For the first 9 years I lived in Millbrae, CA and then as a family we moved to the East Bay Area, CA to Hayward, CA. From then on I went to school and eventually started playing basketball, as you can imagine, being so tall, there was really no escape from basketball or volleyball. LOL, I actually hated volleyball, and would always ask to play soccer instead, but back then the seasons for soccer and basketball were the same in schools. I played a center/left field forward as a soccer player. Basketball sort of took over my life and I ended up going on to play D1 at two different programs in college and ultimately graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Women’s Studies and a double minor in Religious Studies and Communications. I also was plagued by injuries my entire basketball collegiate career. But, I pushed through and after College, I signed with a wonderful sports agent along with two of my teammates with the intention to play professionally and continue building my career in basketball. Shortly after signing, months, I decided to quit because having a career ridden with injuries felt exhausting and I was personally not having as much fun. This decision led the path into discovering the arts, authoring around 15 books, being published as an artist and poet around the world and then ultimately lead into a newfound love for storytelling and acting.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road at all. I think like most, I have had a road filled with confusion, failure, and tears LOL But, I have also been very lucky and for that I feel so much gratitude.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am mostly known for being part of Marvel’s She-Hulk: Attorney at Law as the She-Hulk on-set-reference and stunt performer, but I have also been lucky to have acted in indie short films, a horror film as the lead villain (2024), various major music videos, short films and other roles in industrial projects, tv shows and commercials. I specialize in acting and creature acting.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Of course, I love going to the beach 🙂 Can’t beat the sunny weather and I also love hiking, I am the most cliche LA girl,
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maliaarrayah.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maliaarrayah/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaliaArrayah8
- Twitter: https://x.com/malia_arrayah?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MaliaArrayah777/videos
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@themaliaarrayah
Image Credits
some images taken by Abby (IG @mygingersnapple) and Joshua Rosario (IG @actorlifewithjosh)
