On September 25, as the Mid-Autumn Festival was celebrated across many Asian countries, Aarif Rahman unexpectedly shared the happy news that he had welcomed his first child. The The Empress of China actor posted a photo showing his hand holding his baby’s tiny hand beside a mooncake, along with a joyful message: “A new member has joined the family, making our home complete.” To protect his first child’s privacy, he did not reveal the baby’s name or gender.
On social media, fans flooded Aarif Rahman and his family with congratulatory messages. At the same time, many were stunned and wondered when the actor had gotten married without anyone knowing. According to reports in the Chinese entertainment industry, Rahman married his non-celebrity girlfriend, who is five years younger than him, in 2023. The couple reportedly held a private wedding overseas without inviting any colleagues from showbiz. His wife is said to have been his first love. They met while studying in the UK, and like Rahman, she is also of mixed heritage.
When it comes to his wife’s identity and appearance, Rahman has declined to reveal details. The actor has said that he wants to keep all information about his wife away from the media because he fears that the person he loves could face unwanted scrutiny and intrusion. However, in one of the rare photos of his wife reportedly captured by the media, she drew attention for her mixed-race features, which some compared to those of Xinjiang beauty Dilraba Dilmurat.
Born in 1987, Aarif Rahman is a singer, actor and model of Chinese, Arab and Malaysian heritage. He was once nicknamed a “showbiz prince” thanks to his handsome appearance, wealthy family background, talent and impressive academic credentials. He graduated from Imperial College London with a degree in Physics.
The actor is known for films and dramas including Kung Fu Yoga, One Night Surprise, Making Family and Echoes of the Rainbow. After gaining widespread attention for portraying Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, opposite Fan Bingbing in The Empress of China—which also sparked rumors that the two had developed feelings for each other off-screen—Rahman gradually stepped away from the spotlight and began living a more private life. It was not until this past August that he returned to the big screen in a new film alongside award-winning actor Zhu Yilong. For the project, he underwent a dramatic image transformation, sporting a buzz cut to take on a tougher and more rugged role.
Sources: k14