Rami Malek Shares Experience of Racial Profiling by LAPD.
Rami Malek, 43, the Oscar-winning actor known for his role in Bohemian Rhapsody, has recently opened up about his experience with racial profiling by the Los Angeles Police Department. In a candid interview, Malek, who is of Egyptian descent, revealed a troubling incident where his ethnicity led to an unfortunate misunderstanding with law enforcement.
Rami Malek (@ramim.malek)
Rami Malek, the Oscar-winning actor known for Bohemian Rhapsody, has shared his experience of racial profiling by the Los Angeles Police Department. In a recent interview, Malek revealed how his Egyptian descent led to an uncomfortable and tense encounter with the LAPD, where he was mistakenly identified as a suspect in a robbery. His candid reflection highlights the challenges of racial identity and the impact of racial profiling, offering a glimpse into the actor's personal struggles growing up in Los Angeles and navigating such issues in his career.
"I got thrown on the bonnet of an LAPD cop car because someone had robbed a liquor store and stolen a woman's bag. They said the (thief) was of Latin descent and, 'You fit the description,'" Malek explained. He went on to recount the uncomfortable moment, sharing, "I remember how hot that engine was, they must have been racing over there and it was almost burning my hands."
Despite the tense situation, Malek found an unlikely ally in his friend, a Caucasian individual, who intervened by clarifying Malek's identity. "My friend, who was Caucasian, was clever enough to go, 'Actually, sir, he's Egyptian. Not Latin.' I remember laughing on the cop car, thinking, 'OK, this is a very precarious situation. I may well be going to jail for something I've not done.'"
Reflecting on his upbringing in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, Malek also shared how his racial identity shaped his experiences. "There was also a definite … I won’t say alienating yourself from certain aspects of the culture, but definitely not accepting them," he said of growing up in the U.S. with immigrant parents. “I’m what's called 'white passing,' but I have very distinctive features, and we definitely didn't fit in.”
Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody (@ramim.malek Instagram)
Malek also offered a humorous take on the racial tensions he faced, particularly in travel scenarios. "I started to think, 'What is happening?' every time I tried to enter a country. These days, there might be a moment. Then they'll go, 'Nah, that's the guy from 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' Let him through.'"
Malek's experience highlights ongoing issues surrounding racial profiling, a theme echoed by other public figures. In December 2023, singer and actress Fantasia Barrino also addressed racial profiling when she and her family were reportedly asked to leave an Airbnb rental by their host.
