Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission. 

Rami Malek says he was groped by a drunk woman: 'She had her hands all over my butt'

Malek asked the woman: 'Can you not?'

Clémence Michallon
New York
Monday 19 August 2019 18:48 BST
Bohemian Rhapsody teaser trailer

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Rami Malek says he was groped by a drunk woman after becoming famous, in a new interview about how life has changed now he's famous.

The actor, who shot to worldwide fame after playing Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, opened up about the incident in a cover profile with GQ.

Malek was minding his own business until the woman “had her hands all over my butt”, he told the magazine.

In response, the Oscar winner said he asked the woman: “Can you not?”

He elaborated on how fame might have altered other people’s perception of him, adding: “But when you sit down and talk to me, there’s nothing that’s mystifying. I’m not f****** covered in gold.”

The Mr Robot star is currently poised to star as the main villain in the upcoming Bond 25 film, which is projected to be Daniel Craig’s final outing as the spy.

He reflected on some of his past acting credits in a video for GQ, revealing he had shared a “magnificent moment” with Robin Williams on the set of Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, which came out in 2014.

“We were shooting in the British Museum, of all places, at night,” Malek said.

“I see Robin just standing alone, by himself. I got pretty close to him, walked up to him, and he was just staring off in the distance and I said, ‘Are you OK?’

“He says back, ‘Man, how often are we going to get a chance to stand right in front of the Rosetta Stone?’

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

“And that was just a magnificent moment that I shall never forget.”

Malek also credited the late Williams with teaching him “so much”.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in