Mohamed Ramadan’s Coachella Outfit Sparks Controversy

Egyptian actor and rapper Mohamed Ramadan made headlines with his gig at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Sunday.

Ramadan, the first Egyptian artist to perform at the famed US music festival, performed live at the Gobi stage, presenting several of his popular hits, including "Mafia", "Bum Bum", "Ensay", and "Bethlawy".

He captivated the audience with his unstoppable energy, rocking the stage and raising the Egyptian flag high.

Ramadan took the stage wearing an outfit designed by Egyptian designer Farida Temraz's haute couture design house, Temraza. 

The ensemble featured a gold chain top and black trousers, and a long black cardigan adorned with the Ankh — sometimes referred to as the key of life or the key of the Nile — on its back.

On its official Instagram account, Temraza shared photos and videos of the 36-year-old star trying on the outfit, describing the outfit as “a hand-beaded creation inspired by ancient Egyptian symbols and the key of life.”

Despite the artistic intent, the outfit sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with many users expressing disappointment over its representation of Egyptian culture, claiming the attire did not offer a suitable representation of Egypt, especially as Ramadan prominently displayed the Egyptian flag during his performance.

Some users even went further, comparing the look to traditional women’s dance set-up, adding fuel to the backlash.

On Monday, Sayed Mahmoud, advisor to the Union of the Three Artistic Syndicates (Music, Cinema, and Acting Professions), announced that Ramadan will be subject to an investigation over his appearance, which some deemed inappropriate for representing Egypt abroad.

In turn, others on social media defended the artist, arguing that his costume choice was an expression of artistic freedom and did not violate any laws or present clear harm.

Supporters noted that his choice of attire was an expression of individuality and should not overshadow his artistic contributions.

Ramadan has been actively promoting his Coachella debut on social media, especially via Instagram and TikTok, documenting his journey and excitement about bringing Egyptian, Arab, and African music to a global audience since April 4.

Founded in 1999, Coachella is considered one of the United States’ most prominent music festivals. The event expanded in 2012 to span two weekends due to increasing demand.

The festival lineup is packed with global artists like Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, Megan Thee Stallion, Post Malone, and many more.