On The Rise with Malcolm Bowen
Get to know Actor Malcolm Bowen!
By: James Johnson
One of the things we really set out to do with Urban Grandstand Digital was take the time to recognize and celebrate some of the up and coming talent in the entertainment industry. Often, it’s so difficult for them to gain support from various publications, and we felt like we wanted to be a part of the solution. This column, ‘On the Rise’, gives us that opportunity, and I’m thrilled to kick it off with someone who is well on his way in his career.
In a sense it’s a little weird because I can’t really recall how we came in contact with each other. I do know it was his Instagram, but I can’t remember the details. At some point, I just realized we were connected through friendship through the platform, and he was posting some of the most hilarious clips. When it comes to promoting himself, Malcolm is top notch and at the top of his game. Just take a look at his IG profile, and you’ll find clip after clip that will quickly have you falling out of your chair in laughter. I knew at some point, I wanted to celebrate the work he has already done in his journey as an actor, and open the world up to who he is through our magazine. He’s an amazing talent who has a long road ahead of him.
Throughout this article, you’ll get a chance to know a lot more about his journey and how he ended up where he is today. More importantly, this is an amazing opportunity for our youth and aspiring creatives to see that yes, it’s all possible if you dream it! Malcolm is proving that first-hand! Take a read below!
U.G. Digital Magazine: You’ve really been putting some notable work into building your career man. I see all the videos and skits you do on Instagram and I think it’s really dope. You started as a teen model, but ultimately found that wasn’t where your passion lied. When did you realize you wanted to be an actor?
Malcolm Bowen: Well, first of all, thank you so much for having me on your magazine issue! It's truly an honor to be here. To be honest, I realized I wanted to be an actor before I became a model. My mom was an elderly caretaker at the time and my dad was and still is a minister. However, they allowed us to watch almost anything on TV or Film as well as listen to any kind of music we wanted to. I guess...they trusted that we would be responsible, haha. So, anyway, I was watching the movie Rush Hour and you know how in the ending credits, they show all the bloopers and stuff? Well, yeah I was watching that one day and I saw how much fun actually went into producing a film like that. I think that is when the acting bug hit me. I thought to myself, "wow they get to have fun and tell amazing stories? I would love to do that!" And so it began. I was about maybe 13 years old. Funny cause I feel like that bug hit me sooner than that but I honestly can't remember.
U.G. Digital Magazine: Had you had any minor experience already? Has any other family become actors?
Malcolm Bowen: I had no experience at the time but my mom would tell you that I was an extremely energetic kid that would dance and sing around the house all the time. No other actors in the family, but there were musicians, so maybe that's where I got the singing from.
U.G. Digital Magazine: What attracted you to acting as a career?
Malcolm Bowen: I think what attracted me initially was that honestly, I enjoyed expressing myself. I also think I had low self-esteem at that age and somehow I saw becoming an actor as a way to overcome that. As the years went on, I still struggled with my self-image and the like which led me to get into modeling.
U.G. Digital Magazine: So with college you studied digital media in addition to theatre. How did digital media come about?
Malcolm Bowen: Digital media was something that I honestly took since I had to have a minor in college. But, little did I know that it became something I actually liked. It introduced me to new skills such as learning Photoshop, video editing, and graphic design. I still use those skills to this day so it was actually a blessing.
U.G. Digital Magazine: Ok so fast forward. You’re done with college, you move to California and you start booking commercials. How difficult was that to gain your footing and start booking work, and how fearful were you, considering you’d relocated from Mississippi?
Malcolm Bowen: Man, let me tell you. I was scared AF! I arrived in Los Angeles without an official place to stay. My first two weeks were in a hotel. Somehow, I knew things would turn out okay. I managed to find an apartment the second week I was here and by the grace of God, I have been able to maintain and sustain myself.
U.G. Digital Magazine: Now you also don the titles of writer and producer. Tell me more about your work in those areas and what type of projects would you like to produce?
Malcolm Bowen: It was definitely a challenge getting representation because it took a lot of footwork and me having to go around to places to physically drop things off and mail things. Now, everything is almost digital. I feel like I just aged myself a bit, haha. The bookings I got were hardly consistent as I thought or was told they would be. It was like, one here, one there, and then maybe a year later another. Each time, I felt like I just got lucky or something. Fast forward to today and it still feels like I'm finding my place to be honest.
As for writer and producer, I definitely have plans to produce content. I have very little experience in these areas from producing short scenes and stuff but I also write scenes occasionally and would love to produce my first series.
U.G. Digital Magazine: I thought you were great for this column man, to get it off the ground. You’re highly charismatic and skilled at what you do. I can watch and see even on social media alone how you light up from the work you’re doing and the goals you’re striving to achieve that’s priceless to me man. Through this article, and UGD as a whole, my goal outside of entertaining and intellectually stimulating the minds of readers, I want to present something that shows kids in our communities that you can accomplish the things you want in life. Regardless of where you come from. You’re helping me do that.
I want to say that I really love the message you are communicating to the youth. One of my biggest reasons outside of my self-esteem and all to become an actor was in fact to show people that no matter where you come from, you can be anything you want. If you believe, you truly can accomplish things.
U.G. Digital Magazine: where would you like to be in five years?
Malcolm Bowen: In five years, I would like to be currently working on a dope TV series or Film franchise by way of either my own producing efforts or by being cast. Either way, I wanna be continuing to excel in my craft and also inspiring those around me.
U.G. Digital Magazine: Anything you want readers and fans to know?
Malcolm Bowen: The journey isn't easy but it can certainly be rewarding. One of the things I constantly hear is 'enjoy the process' and not focus so much on the results. You can have an entire idea of how your career is going to turn out and when you may "blow up" but you truly never know. Also, please stay true to who you are. And if you don't know who you are yet, do everything you can to find out so that no one can try to impose their version of you onto you.
U.G. Digital Magazine: Any final comments?
Malcolm Bowen: You can currently check out all my socials here:
Thank you so much for having me. I hope that this inspires your readers and also gives them more of a sense and feel of my personality reading this.
If you have a big goal, big dreams, or just something you want to accomplish, you will face difficult times but never give up on yourself. Also, make sure to prioritize self-care because you WILL need it! I'm also preaching this to myself!