Adam Lambert on Why Rami Malek Is Perfect For Freddie Mercury Role In ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
Adam Lamberthas only the highest praise for actor Rami Malek's portrayal of Freddie Mercury in the upcomingQueenbiopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, which is set for release on Nov. 2.
The former American Idol contestant and solo star would have been considered an ideal choice for the role of the glam rocker considering he's been performing as Queen's frontman since 2011 and touring with the band since 2014, but Lambert told ET that Malek was the perfect person to play the legendary rocker.
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"I don't look like Freddie. I don't sound like Freddie. I sound like me," Lambert explained when asked why he didn't get the part. "Rami looks amazing. He's a great actor. From what I understand, they used pieces of actual studio recording of Freddie and Marc Martel, who is an impersonator of Freddie Mercury, to do some of the other vocal stuff. So it's really about recreating Freddie. So no, it wouldn't have been me."
Lambert, who is currently working on his fourth solo studio album, also revealed that Malek has put in the work to get the role right and has attended "a few [Queen] shows… [I've] met him a couple times now. He's great," he said. "He's really good in the film, too, very sensitive portrayal."
Queen and Lambert are set to perform a 10-date stint of The Crown Jewels, at Park Theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas starting Sept. 1.
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