Earlier last month, when the Oscar Award nominations were announced, the choices and snubs gave critics plenty to write about: A Star is Born and If Beale Street Could Talk fell short of representation in the main categories, but Black Panther made history as the first superhero-centered movie to get the nod for best picture and Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman garnered the filmmaker’s first-ever directorial nod. Another surprise hit of the year was Bohemian Rhapsody, a tribute/biography about the legendary band Queen frontman and their late songwriter and superstar vocalist, Freddie Mercury. Loathed by critics yet loved by fans, the film celebrated the bond of band members Brian May, Joe Deacon, Roger Taylor and Mercury, as well as introducing their music to a new generation of listeners (our three children included).

My tastes have always been eclectic, so performers like the Doobie Brothers, Elton John, Chicago and Queen were just a few that made it onto my early playlists. By the time I was old enough to attend concerts regularly, they no longer performed in the U.S., and I was fresh out of high school when the 45-year-old charismatic performer succumbed to AIDS. Learning more about about him l beyond the glare of the spotlight was certainly a plus and provided unexpected lessons along the way that anyone—even a casual-at-best Queen fan—-can draw wisdom from into their personal lives, such as…..

1) The package doesn’t always demonstrate the contents: it was probably a stretch for anyone to imagine the former Farookh Bulsara, a slightly-built amateur boxer and airport baggage handler, could become one of the music world’s biggest and most charismatic superstars, but Bulsara’s belief in himself was so strong that he not only renamed the band from Smile to Queen, he injected more melody and theatrics than any other band was producing at the time, earning them a growing legion of fans and cementing their place in music history. The fact that their songs are still popular decades later demonstrates just how correctly placed Mercury’s confidence was.

2) Originality can be an asset: in the film, Mercury approaches May and Taylor to audition for the band. They were initially skeptical due to his noticeable overbite, but after belting out a verse, Freddie explained that being born with extra incisors naturally widened his mouth, which also expanded his range. Instead of hiding his physical imperfections, Mercury made his work for him and showed that “unconventional” and “successful” aren’t always two different things.

3) Fight for what you believe in: The film was named, quite aptly, for the song that was as daring and flamboyant as Mercury himself: after penning the tune, Freddie insisted that the rock and opera mashup not only appear on their album, but become a single as well. After label executives dismissed the track as too long for airplay, Mercury defied them, snuck it over to a DJ buddy and, well, the rest is history. I don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine a world without the tight harmonies, the raucous guitar solo and that powerfully plaintive “MAMA, ooo-OOO-ooo….”

4) Use your powers for good: the film depicted it differently (no more spoilers will be provided), but in reality, Queen had just barely finished a full-length tour when approached to perform for the global fundraiser for famine, Live Aid. Many would have declined, especially since there was no compensation involved, but the band agreed to participate and as a result, helped to raise millions of dollars for the cause while giving an unforgettable concert in the process, one of the best ever recorded. Everyone benefits when our gifts are shared.

Whether or not Rhapsody actually takes home an Oscar, the film is already a winner. And wherever Freddie Mercury is, he’s proud of his band mates and would expect nothing less. “I always knew I would be a star,” he once famously said, “and now the world seems to agree with me.”

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Now On Digital: https://fox.co/2R1S9W5 Now On Blu-ray & DVD: http://bit.ly/BohemRhapsody Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. Freddie defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet.