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Rami Malek Reflects on 2016 Emmys Win for Mr. Robot: "Times Are Changing"

"I'm just not the typical male lead," the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series winner tells E! News' Catt Sadler

By Zach Johnson Sep 19, 2016 1:35 PMTags

Rami Malek can't believe his good fortune.

After one season of USA's Mr. Robot, the 35-year-old TV star received the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. During his acceptance speech, a Dior-clad Malek told the audience, "I'm honored to stand here and represent my family—and every single person who's helped me get this far." It was a significant moment in the evening, as Malek became the first minority actor in 18 years to win in that category.

It wasn't an easy feat, of course. Malek faced stiff competition at the 2016 Emmys, where he went up against veteran actors Kyle Chandler (Bloodline), Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), Matthew Rhys (The Americans), Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan) and Kevin Spacey (House of Cards). When Malek's name was called, no one looked more surprised than the actor himself.

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"You hear people say that it is an out-of-body experience and there's no way to prepare for it, but I seriously sat there and thought, 'Was it my name?' Like, 'Please, Rami, don't stand up if you don't think you really heard your name,'" the actor exclusively told E! News' Catt Sadler after the show. "Then I got out of my chair and walked onstage. I was like, 'This might actually be happening.' My mind was blown." Malek added that he was "humbled" to be in the company of such "phenomenal, magnificent" actors.

Mr. Robot has taken Malek by surprise on a number of occasions, beginning when he was cast in the hit television series. "I'm just not the typical male lead. I was like, 'Come on, guys! They're never going to put me in the role of the young lead,'" he recalled. "It shows that times are changing, people are more progressive, and I think this is more the look of America than it ever has been, with guys like Aziz Ansari and so many others. It's f--king amazing to see!"

Watch E!'s live 2016 Emmy Awards red carpet coverage starting at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT on Sunday, September 18th