I'm actor, writer, director and producer Ross McCall, but more importantly, I played a young Freddie Mercury in Queen's 'The Miracle' music video. AMA!

Submitted by Mcqueenwannabe1 t3_yyp9ha in Music

I'm Ross McCall, actor, writer director and producer.

One of my first acting roles was playing a young Freddie Mercury in the music video for Queen 'The Miracle'. I'm here to answer your questions on working with Queen, Freddie Mercury, being on the set for 'The Miracle', or whatever else you can think of, so ask me anything!

I've also produced four many films, including the Award-winning, About Us and A Violent man on Netflix. I'm known in the U.S. after my work as Cpl. Joseph Liebgott in Band of Brothers. My TV credits include, Suspicion, The Offer, CSI: NY, Bones, Ghost Whisperer, Crash, Luther, Castle, 24, Lucifer, Fear the Walking Dead and played Matthew Keller on White Collar. Also known for Dave in Green Street, The Beautiful Ones, In Embryo, Polar Express etc.

Queen The Miracle Collector’s Edition Box-set is out now - https://queen.lnk.to/TheMiracle

PROOF: https://i.redd.it/5qjuvxz9zh0a1.jpg

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lewfrodawbelll t1_iwvfxgr wrote

Was there anything Freddie said/did that stuck with you after working with him?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvgm32 wrote

He mentioned that we should go and do their next tour with them. No joke. It didn't materialize due to his condition, but the thought was planted. It was also reported in the press that he thought I did a better Freddie than him. Kidding, of course, but a huge compliment.

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anarchy-princess t1_iwvi6sk wrote

Hi!! Just wanted to say first, I'm a huge fan & thank you for doing this!! 💖

Also, do you have a favorite role you've played? If so, what made it your favorite?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvpx2h wrote

You're very kind. Thank you. Favorite roles would be Liebgott in Band, Keller in White Collar, Sean in In Embryo and Ryan in About Us. Ryan is probably the most personal to me as it's a lot of me in the character.

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Traditional-War-7360 t1_iwvfdax wrote

What was Freddie like? Would you say they depicted him accurately in the movie Bohemian Rhapsody?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvg9p9 wrote

He was a very kind, unassuming man, actually. But he was also the lead singer in one of the biggest bands in the world. When we shot the video it was around the time he had just been diagnosed too, so his energy was lower. The shoot was very private, which was great, so we had time to hang out and drink tea. The film was ultimately directed by a friend of mine, Dexter Fletcher, and I thought he handled it beautifully. Rami ia also a pal of mine and I thought he smashed it.

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Hot-Plant-9201 t1_iwvhmye wrote

Hey Ross! I got two questions... First do you live in the US or the UK right now? And what do you think about fanfics that are written about the characters you played?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvidpp wrote

I live in the US. All the fans of my various shows and films are actually nothing but kind about my characters. Even the bad boys I've played. They always seem to find the charm in them and end up enjoying them. I'm usually stopped by them and always have a quick chat about Band of Brothers, white collar or Green street characters. But even something like Luther, where I was a psychopath, people still find something in them that they like.

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lewfrodawbelll t1_iwvfzm7 wrote

Do you still have the outfits from the music video!?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvgpl2 wrote

I'm wearing them now.

(I'm sure they're in a costume house somewhere in England)

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ozzraven t1_iwvwlpm wrote

Hi Ross, you did an excellent work in that Video. You all really nailed the passion of the band.

I wonder if people recognize that is you in the video when they see your name

What is your favourite Queen song?

Have you met the band afterwards in latter years?

r/Queen

https://imgur.com/a/Hnyglfz

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvxz9f wrote

Thanks so much. Ha! I don't get recognized for it ever. Maybe it's the mustache. Ha! However, on every set I'm on, I'll always hear the song as someone on the crew will have found it and it gets past around. I'm actually very honored. And seeing people's reactions to it now are fun to witness. Everyone loves that video. My favorite songs would be Show Must Go On, Bohemian, Love of My Life, Killer Queen & Innuendo. Haven't seen the bad for years. I think Brian and I have been at a few events over the years, but haven't managed to say hi. I'm sure we will.

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CooperHChurch427 t1_iwwkppk wrote

That's awesome that you got to do that. Can I say, you did a phenomenal job on imitating Freddie on stage. One of my friends, she got to meet him in 80 when he was in New York, her dad hung out with him at one of the gay bars in New York at the time, and he popped over to her dad's place and she got to meet him.

She still has her dad's signed copy of The Miracle and A Night at the Opera. He also passed from HIV in 1992.

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HackneyCricket t1_iwvfqip wrote

Hey Ross! What was the idea behind the video? Where did they film it?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvh1su wrote

The idea, from what I was told, was to have four kids play the band. That simple. Not as kids, but as the band themselves, hence the mustache. For Freddie, they took four iconic looks and that's where we went with it. I remember digging the Live Aid and Yellow coat ones, but hated the leotard and leather ones. I was 13, so it makes sense. Ha!

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Various-Oil-8346 t1_iwvgxf5 wrote

How did you first get into the film industry? And might you have any advice for people interested in moving into film themselves?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvhfca wrote

I fell into it when I was 11. It was a way of keeping me out of trouble if I'm honest. I've always loved film, however. Even at a young age I was fascinated with cinema. My advice is find out exactly what you want to do in the industry and pursue it wholeheartedly.

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Flones98 t1_iwvgxwo wrote

Hiya Ross!
What was your favourite thing about your experience of working with Queen?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvhrpc wrote

I was a fan. Plain and simple. So I knew who I was playing and their iconic status. I loved rehearsing with the band though. I remember thinking Brian was the more outgoing with us, and I wanted to be as cool as Roger. He wore sunglasses indoors. That's how you know ;)

But all in all, we had a great time. The directors made the whole thing fun for the kids.

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Flones98 t1_iwvm4oc wrote

That's brilliant! Thanks for answering

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RevolutionaryWave380 t1_iwvhr2c wrote

You are the main character in my book. His name is Henry.

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RevolutionaryWave380 t1_iwvqpxx wrote

I'm Brazilian, so the book is in Portuguese. But you can buy it on Amazon UK. I'm an English student, so in a few years I'll do the translation and publish it. My Instagram is @helenita_1984, in case you want to know my other books. And, Ross, I love you ❤️ Henry's a mobster, he greatly resembles Michael Corleone.

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cherilynde t1_iwvl5uv wrote

Hi, Ross, thanks for doing this!

I'm wondering about White Collar . . .

When you started, did you know Keller would not only return, but develop into such a pivotal character?

Any particular memories from the show you’d like to share?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvo17c wrote

Keller was originally set for just one episode. They had a template for the character in mind (Not me, ha!), but the Director of Photography worked with me on a series called Crash and recommended me for the role. One of the Exec Producers knew my bosses on Crash so they talked and gave me the nod. At first, I think the execs were shocked at how I chose to play him as they'd written him as a carbon copy on Neal, I decided to switch it up and play a blue collar version of him with the same taste in suits. I think by the second scene they saw, they started to like the idea more so we went with it. The fans really voiced that they loved the character and that then became a conversation to bring him back. And again. And again. Keller was like the golden egg character, they'd bring him in when they wanted to shake up the story a little. I love him dearly.

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cherilynde t1_iwvpgb8 wrote

Really glad they followed your lead on that one; Keller is fantastic!

Thanks for answering!

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Rage4Order418 t1_iwvo87c wrote

How much studying did you have to do to play Freddie? You had all of my mannerisms down to a T 👏👍

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvpigf wrote

Thanks. Yeah, I studied a lot. Research is a big part in an actor's life. This was certainly a job to dig into. The producers sent me boxes of VHS video tapes. All their videos and live concerts. I watched them and began to pick out a few signature moves I noticed Freddie was using over and over. None of the video was choreographed, it was literally made up and improvised. I had bits of it rehearsed using a broom as a mic stand in my house as a kid, but for the most part, we sort of winged it.

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juano678 t1_iww6f4w wrote

Do you by any chance still have those VHS tapes? There might be some interesting (and lost!) Queen material, you never know :)

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satoshidoggo t1_iww6p57 wrote

Do you still have that VHS tapes? They may contain unreleased or early material

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ozzraven t1_iwvx6ej wrote

>None of the video was choreographed, it was literally made up and improvised.

Wow. You nailed it dude

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itamarka t1_iwvsbqo wrote

What was Freddie like?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvwznp wrote

Wonderful. Iconic. Kind and laid back. More detail on a previous answer.

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wrw25 t1_iwvt9pf wrote

Hey Ross! Was the real Joseph Liebgott still alive while filming Band? If so, what were your interactions with him like? If he was not alive, how did you go about learning about him? Speak to relatives?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvxa7x wrote

He had passed a few decades earlier so I had to rely on books and talking with the other veterans. They rarely talked about themselves but would happily talk about their brothers. So we actually got vast amounts of research through personal accounts. It was invaluable.

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JinxMulder t1_iww1c3m wrote

During the shoot, did you hear Freddie actually sing in person? If so, what was that like?

Thanks for the AMA. Nice picture hanging on the wall!

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwwlz2c wrote

He didn't as we obviously mime to the actual recording. That would have been coo though. McQueen in the house. Love that picture.

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Visual_Air933 t1_iww54jr wrote

Hello, Ross! Fantastic to see you here. My question is, have you been in touch with the band after the video shoot? If yes, what were you up to?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwwmehl wrote

We had dinner last night.

KIDDING. No. The band and I run in different circles, I guess.

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InterestingCake1 t1_iww8i4m wrote

Hi there! I would like to ask you something behind the scenes of the miracle!

I heard a story once from Hannes Rossacher in a convention.
You and Freddie where sitting on make up chairs or something and they were making you ready for the part were you had this leather outfit and Freddie asked "So, how are we going to do this S and M scene now?" and apparently you turned around and asked "What does S and M mean?" and Freddie answered "Well, it's definitely not Marks and Spencer darling". My Question is, do you remember if that really happened? It's been years and you probably don't remember, but I'm gonna ask anyway. I cannot imagine Freddie actual saying that

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwwmozy wrote

I was wondering where this question was going. Ha! No, unfortunately I don't remember that being said. Funny though.

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ShutterBug1988 t1_iwwjyep wrote

How much guidance did you and the others have from the members of Queen in your performances? Are you still in contact with them?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwwngy8 wrote

None. we did our thing and they went along with it. I'm not. But I'm sure it'll be a fun conversation when we do run into each other at an event.

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Sinatra_lady527 t1_iwvi8sq wrote

Hi Ross! What would you consider your biggest achievement professionally?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvisha wrote

Aside from getting films I've written/directed into the cinema's, and B.O.B being one of the biggest shows ever, getting asked to play for my boyhood football team (Celtic F.C) in a couple of celebrity/charity games was a dream. But truthfully, I've been very fortunate that some shows have become classics.

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Sinatra_lady527 t1_iwvlwxl wrote

Thanks for the response! BoB is my fav show of all time and was a pleasure meeting you in Nola at the symposium, as nervous as I was! Can’t wait to see what you do next!

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ForcyBo t1_iwvmub6 wrote

Hey Ross, thanks for the AMA. What brings you more satisfaction, and why?... producing a successful project, or acting in one? In my mind, producing must bring a huge sense of pride, not only for the project but also for everyone involved, albeit at a level of anonymity, whereas acting in a successful project and being immortalised on screen means long term glory but in a smaller, more personal scale. Am i miles out?

Sorry... multiple asks 😅

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvoos1 wrote

Both have their huge pluses. I'd say I'm an actor first and foremost. I still get a buzz when I see a finished project on the big screen or TV or now, as the world progresses, a phone :) Producing is a different walk. I like to put pieces together, so I enjoy that aspect. The number crunching isn't my avenue, I'm more on the creative side and I tend to produce (with others) projects I've written or plan to direct. But both have their merits. Seeing a poster hang in my office that I had a hand in putting together and which has made it to the cinema does give me cause to smile big.

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Trin_42 t1_iwvneuz wrote

I read that Freddy asked if you guys could do the tour for them? Any truth to that?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvowyj wrote

He did. See above. He sort of threw it out there flippantly, then everyone thought it was a good idea. Not entirely sure how real it would have become, but it was in the air. I'll take it.

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zoomzoom_kazoo t1_iwvpp1z wrote

I saw on another response you love Keller dearly - so do I! I personally find him to be a top-tier, delicious villain.

What did you enjoy most about developing him as a character (mannerisms, way of talking, et cetera)? Do you have headcanons for his/his and Neal's past (e.g. where he's from, jobs they pulled, his connections, et cetera)? Do you have a favorite humorous line from Keller?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvw5t2 wrote

I enjoyed his backstory. I also like the charm of a villain so I wanted the audience to almost root for him, which for the most part, they did. I also wanted him to still like Neal and toy with him a little as an old pal would. That was the truth, he actually really missed his friend, so I enjoyed that. I can't remember many of the lines because once we finish a role we move on. I do remember saying something to Mozzie though, along the lines of, 'You. Yet. But it's starting to cross my mind, Mozzie' - about putting a hit out on him. That always made us all laugh.

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zoomzoom_kazoo t1_iwvx3bg wrote

Thank you so much for answering! I really appreciate it.

(The scene with that line is so fun and funny as a viewer, so I'm glad it was the same for you as an actor. 😊)

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cherilynde t1_iwvqseg wrote

Also want to say that I really enjoyed About Us. What's it like performing something you've written?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvwn6z wrote

Glad you enjoyed. Yeah, it's a very personal film for me. It's a film you have to stick with and pay attention to. If you do, the pay-off is beautiful. It's tricky saying your own words only in the fact that you better know your lines. Ha! But you do actually have to learn them, as you've probably written them in the script a few years earlier, so come filming, it's like learning a regular screenplay. And everybody's watching, so...

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cherilynde t1_iwvztg9 wrote

Yeah, I have to think directors, cast mates, etc probably have an even higher level of expectation that you'd actually know the lines in that case. lol.

Also, one hundred percent agree the pay-off of the film is 🥰.

Thanks for replying.

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sar-_ t1_iwvrfd9 wrote

Hi Ross!! I was wondering if you have any upcoming projects that we can look forward to??? ☺️

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwvwwoh wrote

I do. I'm shooting a film in Los Angeles right now. I have a few days off so I can get to things like this. It's a detective drama so I'm having a lot of fun. I'm also putting together a new film that shoots in London next year and I just finished my latest script.

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DrinkOk3514 t1_iww3zzv wrote

Hello Ross!

How are you doing? I hope you are well. :) I have no idea what to ask but.. do you have a favourite band? Also, what was your least favourite role to play?

Ps: I’m a huge fan, you’re my favourite actor! You are amazing🙌

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwwmbgk wrote

Thanks for the kind words! Very sweet. I guess my favorite bands would be The Beatles and Coldplay. I don't have a least favorite role. I have a few least favorite films. Ha! But each role is a choice.

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satoshidoggo t1_iww578y wrote

Did you rehearsed from a video of the band performing to the song (The Miracle)?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwwmikr wrote

No. We were just given the song to learn for the auditions. Then it was all about who showed up with some signature moves ;)

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buckfast1994 t1_iwwbxnk wrote

What’s the most challenging role you’ve had and why?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwwnbpy wrote

Physically, probably Liebgott in Band of Brothers. One, we had to be soldier fit, but two, I had to get to the same size as him. He was 130lbs, I got down to 135. But it was also a legacy that we wanted to get right, so that was something we all took very seriously. Others were challenging in terms of learning fight sequences like The Beautiful Ones knife fight, or the Green St sequences. (esp the sequel)

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Random-ace t1_iwwkzey wrote

what was your favorite/ the funniest thing that happened when you were doing the music video?

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Mcqueenwannabe1 OP t1_iwwns0w wrote

The coolest part was when the band came to the studio to shoot their part. We had been shooting the day before, getting most of it on film, then they came in on day two. The directors wanted to show them what we'd been doing, so we performed the whole thing for them as they watched. They had fun.

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ayyLumao t1_iwwnhnk wrote

What is your ideal sandwich?

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TOPwentyneilots t1_iwwqaf2 wrote

What are some of your music interests nowadays?

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RanchBaganch t1_iwwsn3e wrote

Huge Queen fan and huge Band of Brothers fan here, so I’m torn about what kind of question to ask. But seeing as how a lot of people have already asked about Freddie and your experience in The Miracle, here comes a BoB question:

One of the most gut wrenching scenes in the miniseries was when you had to tell the concentration camp prisoners that they had to stay in the camp until accommodations could be made for them.

What can you relay about your experience with that scene? How did that scene effect you? Did you already know Hebrew, or did you have to learn it? Did you have any conversations with the actors who played the prisoners, and if so, did they say what they were feeling about that scene? Any other pertinent/interesting info that comes to mind?

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manuee_7 t1_iwxdawa wrote

Ghost Whisperer is on Disney + and i just watched your episode ! You played so well, you scared me at times lol, you’re amazing !! What is your best memory filming the show?

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No-Application2197 t1_iwxflmg wrote

What happened to the costume worn by the kids? I have always wondered it as i've always wanted one of those wembley jackets and loved how accurate the one in the video was

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Liz92Mercury46 t1_ixhghwo wrote

Hello Mr. Ross😊, First of all Thank you very much for taking part of this AMA related to Queen/Freddie,I am already 30 and I just knew about Queen in 2020 and until now I Am so obsess with Freddie😊, watching the Miracle video I thought you are the luckiest Kid on this planet😁(also the 3 other kid) My Question is do you have Kids now? If so, have you mention to them these special moments with Freddie to them?what did they thought about it , hope they’re a Queen fan too😊. Aww thank you for reading this, God Bless!

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