TryGOLD- Free

MALIKA ANDREWS 'You Can't Always See Someone's Pain'
People US|June 24, 2024
THE FIRST WOMAN TO HOST THE NBA DRAFT REVEALS HER PAST AS A TROUBLED TEEN IN A WILDERNESS THERAPY CAMP AND THE CHALLENGES SHE STILL FACES WITH HER MENTAL HEALTH
- EILEEN FINAN
MALIKA ANDREWS 'You Can't Always See Someone's Pain'

For the past seven weeks since the NBA playoffs began, downtime has been a rarity for Malika Andrews. “I’m in a stretch of 32 days straight on camera. I think my eye is twitching,” Andrews jokes as she joins a Zoom interview from her L.A. home between duties hosting ESPN’s pregame show NBA Countdown and NBA Today.

But when she does have an hour to spare, Andrews escapes to a riding stable a short drive from the ESPN studios, “where I can exhale when things feel overwhelming.” There she saddles up Val, a 19-year-old chestnut warmblood with a white blaze and an attitude. “He’s tricky,” says Andrews, 29. “You need to be strong to ride him.”

Since joining ESPN in 2018 at the age of 22, Andrews has proved her mettle. In 2020 she quarantined for 107 days as the network’s reporter inside the NBA’s COVID bubble. Two years later she became the first woman to host the NBA draft, a role she will repeat at the end of this month. Known for her unflappable delivery and polished style and substance, Andrews admits, “I feel so much pressure as a woman in a male-dominated industry to show up as my most perfect self.”

At the same time, she’s held a painful, imperfect truth: As a teen she struggled with mental illness that took her from her family for more than three years—and she continues to cope with symptoms. For the first time she’s sharing her story “in hopes that we see people with more compassion,” she says. “You don’t know what somebody’s going through. There’s an expectation that struggling—depression, anxiety, eating disorders— looks a certain way. I was told it doesn’t look like me. But it is me.”

This story is from the June 24, 2024 edition of People US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 24, 2024 edition of People US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PEOPLE USView All
Joe Manganiello
People US

Joe Manganiello

THE ACTOR, 48, HOSTS THE NBC REALITY SERIES DEAL OR NO DEAL ISLAND

time-read
1 min  |
February 24, 2025
COUNTRY DUO THE WAR AND TREATY HOW LOVE MADE OUR DREAMS COME TRUE
People US

COUNTRY DUO THE WAR AND TREATY HOW LOVE MADE OUR DREAMS COME TRUE

THE ACCLAIMED HUSBAND-AND-WIFE COUNTRY DUO FOUND FAME AND SWEET HARMONY AFTER A DIFFICULT JOURNEY

time-read
2 mins  |
February 24, 2025
Inside Renée Zellweger's Return as Bridget Jones
People US

Inside Renée Zellweger's Return as Bridget Jones

When the first Bridget Jones film came out in 2001, Renée Zellweger charmed as the not-quite-together singleton. Now, nearly 25 years later, she's a mom of two in mourning in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (streaming on Peacock).

time-read
1 min  |
February 24, 2025
A FAMILY'S LIFE AFTER DISASTER From the Ashes
People US

A FAMILY'S LIFE AFTER DISASTER From the Ashes

MONIQUE MAREZ LOST EVERYTHING EXCEPT HER THREE DAUGHTERS IN THE FIRES THAT INCINERATED PARTS OF LOS ANGELES. NOW, LIKE SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE WAKE OF WORSENING WEATHER CRISES, THEY ARE FORCED TO PICK UP THE PIECES

time-read
1 min  |
February 24, 2025
DISGRACED TECH EXEC ELIZABETH HOLMES 'It's Been Pure Pain'
People US

DISGRACED TECH EXEC ELIZABETH HOLMES 'It's Been Pure Pain'

IN HER FIRST PRISON INTERVIEW, THE FORMER THERANOS CEO SPEAKS OUT ABOUT HER LIFE TODAY

time-read
6 mins  |
February 24, 2025
What's Next for Taylor & Travis After Super Bowl Loss
People US

What's Next for Taylor & Travis After Super Bowl Loss

For the second year in a row, Taylor Swift made a big show of support for her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, at the Super Bowl.

time-read
1 min  |
February 24, 2025
NEARLY FIVE YEARS AFTER GLEE STAR NAYA RIVERA'S DEATH, HER EX SPEAKS OUT Our Son Gives Me Reason to Live
People US

NEARLY FIVE YEARS AFTER GLEE STAR NAYA RIVERA'S DEATH, HER EX SPEAKS OUT Our Son Gives Me Reason to Live

ACTOR RYAN DORSEY LIFTS THE CURTAIN ON HIS LIFE WITH JOSEY AFTER THEIR DEVASTATING LOSS

time-read
4 mins  |
February 24, 2025
It's a Boy! Gisele Welcomes Baby No. 3
People US

It's a Boy! Gisele Welcomes Baby No. 3

Gisele Bündchen is celebrating a new addition to the family! The Brazilian supermodel, 44, has welcomed a baby boy, her third child and first with boyfriend Joaquim Valente.

time-read
1 min  |
February 24, 2025
Prince Harry FAMILY, LOVE & HIS INVICTUS TRIUMPH
People US

Prince Harry FAMILY, LOVE & HIS INVICTUS TRIUMPH

THE DUKE OF SUSSEX REFLECTS ON A DECADE OF THE INVICTUS GAMES AND CELEBRATING THE LIFE-CHANGING POWER OF SPORT WITH MEGHAN BY HIS SIDE

time-read
2 mins  |
February 24, 2025
Liam Payne's Girlfriend Discusses the Days Before His 'Tragic' Death
People US

Liam Payne's Girlfriend Discusses the Days Before His 'Tragic' Death

Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy has spoken out in her first interview since the One Direction singer's death.

time-read
1 min  |
February 24, 2025

We use cookies to provide and improve our services. By using our site, you consent to cookies. Learn more