Rami Malek calls for more ‘stories’ about queer people while accepting his Academy Award

The Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody won big at last night’s Academy Awards and took home four gongs.

The film – which stars Rami Malek as the Queen frontman Freddie Mercury – won four of the prestigious film and TV awards including Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing and Best Actor for the leading man.

While accepting his award, the former Attitude cover star gave an emotional speech thanking everyone involved in the production and said because he is celebrating Mercury is proof that “we’re longing for stories like this”.

He said: “My crew and my cast, I love you, you are my equals, my betters. I could have never been here without you.

“I think about what it would have been like to tell little bubba Rami that one day this might happen to him, and I think his curly haired little mind would be blown; that kid was struggling with his identity trying to figure himself out.

“We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant who lived his life just unapologetically himself. The fact I’m celebrating him and this story tonight is proof that we’re longing for stories like this. 

“To anyone struggling” with their identity, Rami Malek says, “we made a film about a gay man, an immigrant, who lived his life just unapologetically himself. And the fact I’m celebrating him and this story with you tonight is proof that we’re longing for stories like this.” pic.twitter.com/VFM1rENy1K

— ABC News (@ABC) 25 February 2019

“I am the son of immigrants from Egypt, I’m a first generation American – and part of my story is being written right now.

“And I could not be more grateful to each and every one of you, and everyone who believed in me for this moment. It’s something I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.”

Other winners include Olivia Colman for Best Actress for her role as Queen Anne in The Favourite making it the first time since 2009 that a British actress has taken home the award.

Olivia Colman is blown away as she accepts her Best Actress Award for her performance in @the_favourite. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/4oQAUUv19Y

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) 25 February 2019

Unsurprisingly, Lady Gaga took home the award for Best Original Song for ‘Shallow’ from the 2018 remake of A Star is Born. 

“It’s not about winning,” Lady Gaga says in tearful acceptance speech. “What it’s about is not giving up. If you have a dream, fight for it.” https://t.co/zSrvQG8ZE6 pic.twitter.com/BkE6iMP0E8

— ABC News (@ABC) 25 February 2019

Here are the full list of winners:

Best picture

Green Book

Best director

Alfonso Cuaron – Roma

Best actor

Rami Malek – Bohemian Rhapsody

Best actress

Olivia Colman – The Favourite

Best supporting actor

Mahershala Ali – Green Book

Best supporting actress

Regina King – If Beale Street Could Talk

Best Original Screenplay

Green Book

Best Adapted Screenplay

BlacKkKlansman

Best Animated Feature Film

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse

Best Original Score

Black Panther

Best Original Song

Shallow – A Star Is Born

Best Original Song

Shallow – A Star Is Born

Best Visual Effects

First Man

Best Makeup And Hairstyling

Vice

Best Costume Design

Black Panther

Best Cinematography

Roma

Best Sound Editing

Bohemian Rhapsody

Best Sound Mixing

Bohemian Rhapsody

Best Foreign Language Film

Roma

Best Feature Documentary

Free Solo

Best Film Editing

Bohemian Rhapsody

Best Animated Short

Bao

Best Short Documentary

Period. End Of Sentence.

Best Short

Skin