Rami Malek opened up in a heartfelt speech as he won the Oscar for best lead actor for his role as Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody."
Malek said as a child he struggled with his identity, and he urged that anyone else struggling "and trying to discover their voice" look to Mercury and his story.
(MORE: See how stars are getting ready for the 2019 Oscars)"We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant, who lived his life just unapologetically himself," Malek said of Mercury. "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, the son of immigrants from Egypt, is a first generation American.
(MORE: Oscars 2019: Celebrities arrive on red carpet for Hollywood's biggest night)"This is a monumental moment," he said.
"Part of my story is being written right now," he said, "and I could not be more grateful to each and every one of you and everyone who believed in me."