Conversations with Malek Hanna

Hi Malek, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Play practice, rehearsals, passing notes, school dances, chalkboards and big glasses. Things have changed since the 80s in NYC but this is where it all began. A young bright-eyed and bushy-tailed young boy trying to find his voice in the midst of parental pressures, the blockbuster movie craze, conservative politics, the MTV pop culture phenomenon, the emergence of cable networks, the internet, and rise of materialism and consumerism. Being a 1st generation American with immigrant parents from the Middle East, I had a lot of pressure to be above average. There was a lot of expectation to excel academically and “become a doctor”… according to my parents. While I was in fact a good student and eager to please, my real obsession was TV and music. As a child, I recall running back home on Friday from my friend’s house so that I wouldn’t miss the TGIF lineup on ABC – “Perfect Strangers,” “Family Matters,” “Full House,” “Step by Step” and “Boy Meets World.” TV was my escape; I wanted to be there and not in my actual reality with all the pressures to be something that I wasn’t. Being a performer was natural for me but also something that I had to hide. Fast forward to high school…I was one of few boys from Brooklyn to attend Xavier high school in NYC. It is there where I finally found my voice and was able to tap into my passion-I remember being so nervous yet excited to audition for the school play. Shortly thereafter, I was the soloist in the choir at my school’s church, a lead in a few musicals, a member of the science club to appease my parents off course while also competing in track and field.

After having a slew of shows and performances under my belt, I got accepted and attended Fordham University, where I double majored in Political Science and Theater. Fordham also allowed me the freedom to engage and learn with people from all walks of life while reinforcing my desire and passion to pursue a life as a professional actor and singer. Still having the parental pressures of continuing education, I stayed at Fordham University for an additional two years and received a Masters in Public Communication and Media Studies. During that time, I had the pleasure of booking some additional side roles in a few indie films and was invited to sing at a handful of international music events, one of which was for the Pope in Italy…. but I was still itching for more. At the time, I also had to complete my thesis so I took a part-time job as a Program Director at Kips Bay, Boys & Girls Club on Castle Hill Avenue in the Bronx. They called me “teach”… I essentially was a mentor to these young teens who had no legitimate parenting and were affiliated with gangs and a life of crime. It was tough to leave but also rewarding, exposing them to things they would not otherwise have seen during our weekly escapades to museums, plays, events, and rallies. As I was in the last year of grad school, my dad decided that it would be a good idea if I were to receive another degree- so being the pleaser that I was at the time, I complied and attended the Institute of Culinary Education where I received a degree in Culinary Management. It was actually a pleasant experience since I always was a foodie at heart and love being in the kitchen.

Anyhow, I digress…once my Master’s program was complete, the next logical step was to pack my bags and move to Hollywood! Well, let me tell ‘ya…it wasn’t all fun and games, real life hit fast and I had to be resourceful. The glitz and glamour consisted of a series of couchsurfing experiences, random odd jobs selling pre-paid legal services, working as a server, bartender, driver, teacher, coach, assistant, background extra, event coordinator, hype-man…you name it I did it. It was a very humbling experience and something that made me who I am today. I always had an entrepreneurial spirit and knew that moving back home was not an option. There were nights I had to stay in the dark cause LADWP turned off the lights for non-payment. That was a rude awakening yet reinforced the need to think outside the box. I had to keep the lights on while trying to make connections in the “industry,” so… I created a tutoring agency that I entitled Beverly Hills Educational Services. I figured I may as well utilize all my prior education and experiences. I hired a bunch of qualified tutors, found clients in affluent areas in the LA district and set up an after-school tutoring program for kids in need. This lasted for a while and I eventually expanded, hired people to do the daily activities but then sold my company. I felt it was taking too much time away from attending acting classes, workshops, auditions and all that jazz. After booking a few cool acting gigs and working on getting some TV and Film credits through sheer tenacity, reality kicks back in….after the gig was over, I needed to provide for myself once again, to survive in the city of dreams. At that time, I attended UCLA for a semester and was taking classes in the PHD – Educational program, while also working there part-time. This allowed me to breathe and pay my bills, while also trying desperately to land an agent and larger acting and music gigs.

Fast forward to where I realized that the entertainment industry requires a lot more than talent. I reached out to a few close friends who were also trying to make a name for themselves in the industry and decided to found a production company with my dear college friend and former college roommate Venk Modur; we titled it Axial Pictures. We wanted to create content and attain additional resources and opportunities rather than wait for the phone to ring from our agents. Our 1st official project was a pilot we shot entitled, “The HOA”, starring Cheri Oteri, Horatio Sanz, Paula Poundstone and both Venk and myself. We received some great recognition and even pitched to a few networks but in the end, it wasn’t picked up. Nevertheless, forging forward, the experience encouraged me to do more so… I founded another production company with three other partners, of which has grown into a brotherhood since. The company is entitled- 4sight Entertainment. We internally created content and a slate of films that we developed, took it to the Cannes festival and are actively finalizing financing. As the films were being developed, I was invited to be a contestant on “The Voice” in Lebanon. Through that experience, I leveraged my position and created a live musical show entitled “Melange” with fellow contestant and friend – Raed Saade, who is currently a reality star on the Netflix show, “My Unorthodox Life.” Together, we produced, headlined and were accompanied by former X-Factor and American Idol finalists on stages in venues at the Sofitel, Beverly Hills, Bardot in Hollywood and Ebanos Crossing in downtown Los Angeles. While juggling music and acting and waiting on film financing to come in, my entrepreneurial mind wanted more in order to be able to sustain the life I wanted.

At the time, I saw how lucrative real estate can be and recognized the need for housing for travelers and executives coming to LA. So, I decided to venture into real estate and Founded, “Malex Housing,” a corporate housing entity. I expanded after 2 years and acquired over 25 properties to manage in the LA District, along with my friend and the the current “Bachelor” (TV show) of the Ukraine – Alexander Topolosky. While business was thriving, I felt that I wanted to generate other opportunities while the iron was hot so my friend, and fellow actor, Arthur Napiontek, teamed forces and Founded a company entitled “Beauty Mill.” This entity essentially is a “medical tourism concierge service,” designed to assist indivuduals who wish to beautify themselves using advanced surgical technology in countries outside of the US. It’s an alternate and more affordable “surgery & vacation” for those wanting to boost their confidence and/or need surgery to fix a prior unsuccessful surgery. Since then, I was able to focus more on filmmaking, auditions and music. Fast forward, I released an original music single, “Beautiful Stranger,” partnered with Camela Leierth, Katy Perry’s collaborator, am now currently working on my music EP which is scheduled to be released in 2023. While always looking to learn, grow and expand, I always felt the need to give back. In July of last year, I founded a nonprofit organization entitled “Nadia’s Kids” in an attempt to help youth suffering from PTSD through different art and healing modalities. We are in the infancy stages, but hope to expand within the next few years, as we get additional volunteers and counselors. I try to always have a good balance between mind, body and soul and always check in with myself to make sure there’s a good answer behind why I’m doing what I’m doing. As things continue to develop, I encourage a lot of self-reflection. All my trials and tribulations have led me to be the person I am today and I would not give any of it back. The good, the bad and the ugly has made me a stronger person, a better leader and an artist who is always looking to expand. Currently, on the film front, I starred in an indie film which is in the process of getting distribution and I’m slated to produce and act in an array of films in 2023.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The ebbs and flow of life is real. Let me tell ‘ya…it wasn’t all fun and games, real life hit fast and I had to be resourceful. The glitz and glamour consisted of a series of couchsurfing experiences, random odd jobs selling pre-paid legal services, working as a server, bartender, driver, teacher, coach, assistant, background extra, event coordinator, hype-man…you name it I did it! It was a very humbling experience and something that made me who I am today. I always had an entrepreneurial spirit and knew that moving back home was not an option. There were nights I had to stay in the dark cause LADWP turned off the lights for non-payment. That was a rude awakening yet reinforced the need to think outside the box. I had to keep the lights on while trying to make connections in the “industry.”

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an Actor, Singer, Producer and Business Owner. I’ve Founded and Operate a few businesses and a production company. I am an Actor and Singer featured on “The Voice” Mid East, the Vatican for the Pope, and the LA Lakers at the Staples Center. I am most proud of creating and being a part of the content that is meaningful, engaging and inspiring to others. What sets me apart from others is my consistent positive attitude, resilience, tenacity, and genuine interest in people and understanding the human condition.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
You have not lived if you have not risked. It is only then when you are able to confront fear head-on and potentially come out victorious on the other end. Without risk, I would not have been able to accomplish and overcome the things that I have. However, risk intelligently; ask yourself whether the juice is worth the squeeze. Look inward and be honest with who you are and why you desire the things you do. If your internal compass leads you to the same answer every time, then RISK… for without it, you will live the rest of your life with regret.