Rami Malek Falls Off Stage at Oscars Following Acceptance Speech for Best Actor Win

Rami Malek took home an Oscar last night for his remarkable portrayal of Queen front man Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. He also had a bit of a fall after accepting his award.

Oscar’s Best Actor race had tough competition

Malek’s win in the Oscars Best Actor category might have been surprising to some, as he faced tough competition: Bradley Cooper, for A Star is Born, Willem Dafoe, for his role in At Eternity’s Gate, Viggo Mortensen, for Green Book, and Christian Bale in Vice.

The actor did, however, win the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award, and BAFTA for best actor, which are often solid predictors of an Oscar win.

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Malek’s humble acceptance speech

After his name was called as the winner of the best actor Oscar, Rami Malek took to the stage to give his acceptance speech, initially floored by the moment, remarking, “Oh my god. My mom is in here somewhere… I love you lady! My family, thank you for all of this… my dad didn’t get to see me do any of this, but I think he’s looking down on me right now.”

He continued: “This is a monumental moment. One I’m so appreciative to all of you, to everyone who has had a hand in getting me here. To the Academy, to people who took a chance on me every step of the way.”

Malek then shared: “I may not have been the obvious choice, but I guess it worked out. Thank you Queen, thank you guys for allowing me to be the tiniest part of your phenomenal, extraordinary legacy. I am forever in your debt… My crew and my cast, I love you. You are my equals. You are my betters, I could have never been here without you.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy4GL6RtVOk

Malek’s Oscars speech addressed struggling with identity

During his acceptance speech, Malek remarked: “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.”

He added: “That kid was struggling with his identity, trying to figure himself out… I think to anyone struggling with [their identity] and trying to discover their voice. Listen, we made a film about a gay man, an immigrant who lived his life just unapologetically himself, and the fact that I’m celebrating him and this story with you tonight is proof that we’re longing for stories like this.”

Malek then shared: “I am the son of immigrants from Egypt. I’m a first-generation American. 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 is something I will treasure for the rest of my life.”

He ended his speech by addressing his girlfriend and co-star, noting: “Lucy Boynton, you’re the heart of this film. You are beyond immensely talented, you have captured my heart. Thank you so much.”

Malek tumbled off stage

Following his speech, in a moment not captured live on TV, Malek fell off the stage, falling into the audience, according to reports.

The fall didn’t phase the new Oscar winner, however, who was examined by a paramedic just as a precautionary measure. He later attended the Governor’s Ball party, with Entertainment Tonight noting that Malek showed “no outward sign of injury” for the off-camera spill.

No doubt the adrenaline of winning his first Oscar kept him from feeling anything more than a momentary bruise to his ego.