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Home · News

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
By · Updated October 28, 2020
01
Young Love

Chris and Malaak met in 1994 after he crashed an awards show with friends. He was a 29-year-old budding comedian, and she was 24.

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
02
Beautiful Girl

“She’s changed me,” Chris said of Malaak in a 1997 interview. “She’s really calmed me down and centered my life.”

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
03
Family Man

Malaak and then baby daughter Lola Simone (born in 2002) congratulate Chris on being awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
04
Baby on Board

The beautiful couple welcomed daughter Zahra Savannah in 2004.

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
05
Celeb Friends

Chris and Malaak attended their friend Star Jones’ wedding to Al Reynolds in 2004.

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
06
Giving Back

Chris and Malaak attend the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
07
Working Woman

A career woman in her own right Malaak is the founder and executive director of StyleWorks, a non-profit, full-service salon that provides free services for women leaving welfare and entering the workforce.

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
08
Together in Love

On marriage the ever candid comedian says, “The best part is just having a partner.”

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
09
Red Carpet Ready

By now regulars at red carpet events, Malaak and Chris attend the premiere of “I Think I Love My Wife” in 2007.

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
10
Love and Basketball

The couple, who live in New Jersey, can often be found courtside watching the New York Knicks.

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
11
Festival Time

Malaak and Chris enjoy the sights and sounds of the 2008 ESSENCE Music Festival.

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
12
By Your Side

Malaak has had to make a few sacrifices in order to support her husband’s success. “I needed to make an adjustment in my life to make both my marriage and career work,” she said.

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
13
Broadway Bound

Malaak and Chris take their girls to a Broadway play.

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
14
Daddy’s Girls

“My girls want a playdate” with the Obama girls, Chris told PEOPLE. “They look at the youngest and they’re like, ‘We can play with her, Daddy.’ We’ll see.”

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
15
Support System

We adore Malaak’s braided look for her husband’s first documentary, “Good Hair,” premiere in Los Angeles.

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
16
Rock of Love

Malaak and Chris have also made their name in philanthropy and recently partnered with Target to make a $1 million donation to the Bushwick Salvation Army where Chris grew up.

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
17
The Real Thing

Asked what he most admires about Malaak, Chris answered: “She’s a giving person, she’s caring and she’s beautiful.”

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
18
Instant Attraction

“It was an attraction,” Chris said in an interview of the first night he met his wife 17 years ago. “It was like at first sight. I was with someone, and she was with someone, but we talked and we hit it off.”

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
19
Through it All

Through it all — the rumors of divorce, the mega success — Chris and Malaak remain consistent and remind us of the power of Black love.

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
20
Bright Side

The family enjoys family time at Arthur

Black Love: Chris Rock and Malaak Compton Rock
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