Rami Malek Doesn't Thank Bohemian Rhapsody Director Bryan Singer During Golden Globe Speech
Rami Malek thanked a lot of people after winning the Golden Globe Award for best performance by an actor in a motion picture — but not everyone made the list.
The actor, 37, who starred in Bohemian Rhapsody noticeably did not mention director Bryan Singer.
Singer, 53, was fired from the biopic for allegedly being “unexpectedly unavailable” for several days on set. His firing also came amid reports that there was tension between him and Malek.
Also around this time, Singer was hit with accusations of sexual assault. In 2017, a lawsuit was filed against the director, alleging that he raped a boy, who was 17 years old at the time, Indie Wire reported.
Singer has vehemently denied the claim. Responding to a report that Esquire would be publishing an expose, Singer wrote, Variety reported, “In today’s climate where people’s careers are being harmed by mere accusations, what Esquire is attempting to do is a reckless disregard for the truth, making assumptions that are fictional and irresponsible.”
Malek, who played Queen’s iconic frontman Freddie Mercury in the film, explained his decision to leave Singer out of his speech following the awards.
“There’s only one thing we needed to do and that was to celebrate Freddie Mercury in this film. He is a marvel. There is only one Freddie Mercury and nothing would compromise us giving him the love, celebration and adulation he deserves.”
As for his acceptance speech Malek said, “I’m beyond moved. My heart is pounding out of my chest right now.”
“This is a profound honor to receive this and to be counted amongst such extraordinary actors. I’m privileged to be counted among you.”
Malek then went on to thank the band. “To you Brian May, to you Roger Taylor for ensuring that authenticity and inclusivity exists in the music and in the world and all of us.”
“Thank you to Freddie Mercury for giving me the joy of a lifetime. I love you, you beautiful man. This is for and because of you gorgeous,” Malek concluded.
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This is Malek’s first Golden Globe nomination and win.
In October, he opened up about his transformation to AARP the Magazine saying his physicality changed with the fake teeth he wore in the film.
Malek also hired a choreographer to help him perfect Mercury’s moves while on stage.
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“What I realized is, I didn’t need a choreographer. I needed a movement coach,” Malek said. “There’s nothing about Freddie that was choreographed.”
The actor began to focus on some of Mercury’s biggest influences such as David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix.
“We’d watch Bowie. We’d watch Hendrix. We ended up a lot of times watching Liza Minelli in films like Cabaret,” he said.
“We started to analyze Freddie’s mannerisms — not just performing, but how many times he covered his mouth in interviews to hide his teeth,” Malek added.
The actor revealed he even worked with a dialect coach who helped him execute the Gujarati dialect from India, where he spent his early childhood after being born in Zanzibar.
“I was doing everything I could,” he said. “I was aware of the immense gravity of the man I was playing and the responsibility I had to honor him.”
The 76th annual Golden Globes were presented live on NBC from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on Sunday.