Rami Malek, the Oscar-winning star of *Bohemian Rhapsody*, is opening up about his childhood as an Egyptian-American growing up in Southern California. In a recent interview, he shared how his family often felt out of place in their Sherman Oaks neighborhood during the ’90s. “I’m what’s called ‘white passing,’ but I have very distinctive features, and we definitely didn’t fit in,” Malek explained. He and his twin brother, Sami, became acutely aware of how others treated them, often sensing subtle biases. One particularly jarring moment came when Malek was mistaken for a suspect during a police stop. “I got thrown on the hood of an LAPD cop car because someone had robbed a liquor store,” he recalled. The officers claimed the thief was “of Latin descent,” and Malek fit the description. Thankfully, a quick-thinking friend clarified his Egyptian heritage, diffusing the tense situation. Even today, Malek’s full name—Rami Said Malek—can raise eyebrows at airport security. But his global fame has made these encounters less frequent. “There might be a moment,” he joked. “Then they’ll go, ‘Nah, that’s the guy from *Bohemian Rhapsody*. Let him through.’” Malek made history in 2019 as the first actor of Egyptian and Arab descent to win the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury. He’s also known for his roles in *Mr. Robot* and the James Bond film *No Time to Die*. Next up, Malek will star in a stage adaptation of the Greek tragedy *Oedipus* at London’s Old Vic theatre, starting January 21. His journey from a challenging childhood to Hollywood stardom continues to inspire fans worldwide. ---