Culture

Oscars opens with Queen, Adam Lambert and Freddie Mercury tribute

  • Feb 25 2019
  • Written by PinkNews Staff Writer
Oscars performance by Queen and Adam Lambert.

Queen and Adam Lambert open Oscars.

A hostless Oscars relied instead on a musical performance from Queen and Adam Lambert, performing “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions.”

The electrifying performance (yes, Javier Bardem, we saw you rocking out!) also included a tribute to late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, with a picture of him illuminating the stage.

Watch the performance below:

Mercury, the queer Queen frontman, died of complications from AIDS in 1991.

Of course, Queen has seen a resurgence in the last year with the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, starring Rami Malek as Mercury. Malek looked entertained by the performance at the Oscars as he was spotted in the audience.

Bohemian Rhapsody is up for five awards including best actor for Mercury and best picture.

Oscars remember Freddie Mercury

Bohemian Rhapsody has been criticised for its depiction of Mercury’s relationships with men.

The final film does depict Mercury as bisexual, but critics noted it shies away from portraying some aspects of the singer’s private life prior to his death from AIDS-related illness in 1990.

Speaking to USA Today, Malek said there were “conversations left and right” about how to include more of Mercury’s “beautiful relationship with Jim Hutton,” whose wedding band the singer died wearing.

“It was something I pushed for, to be quite honest, as much as possible and repeatedly brought to the attention of producers and directors and everyone who would listen,” Malek added.

The actor continued: “I hope people do not feel that the film does a disservice to the community, and if it were me, I would’ve loved to have incorporated more.”

See more Oscars 2019 coverage here.

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