BAFTA winner Gamal Turawa broke down during his winner’s room acceptance speech and revealed he nearly took his own life.
Guardian documentary The Black Cop won best short film and was based on Gamal’s own life as an ex Metropolitan police officer.
The film explores his experience of being racially profiled and homophobia in his early career.
When asked what it meant to have his story recognised he broke down in tears and said “Life is unbelievable”.
In the winners’ room, he told the Daily Star: “Years ago, I was stood at a train station wanting to take my own life – but now being on this stage I know that’s why I didn’t.”
(Image: WireImage)
On the same night, deaf actor Troy Kotsur was awarded Best Supporting Actor, however, like Gamal, things hadn’t always been so rosy.
Troy won the gong for his role in CODA, where he played the deaf parent of a hearing child, which he says is strikingly similar to his own reality.
The 53-year-old star spoke openly in the winners’ room conference and said: “I am extremely thrilled, I feel like it’s a big payoff of all of my many years it has been an extremely tough journey.
(Image: Gamal)
“It was hellish at times, I feel like a survivor at times, I slept in the back of my car, I couch-surfed, slept backstage at the theatre and on the street cart on Desire on the set.
“It was so hard for me to survive back then as a starving actor.
“I was such a risk-taker and I took so many years, some people try acting for so many years and go back to a regular day job but I just wanted to do what I love.
(Image: WireImage)
He added: “But with my instinct and gut feeling I just really fell in love with acting, it was my craft, I love working with people and creatives and I love problem-solving.
“And so everything lead me here to the BAFTAs tonight and I am so extremely grateful for the BAFTAs recognising my work.
“I feel like I’ve been an outsider for so long, and as an outsider, you have to fight and struggle and push your way in and now it seems like filmmakers are thinking outside of the box and there are so many diverse actors out there who are waiting for those opportunities, so trust me there are some great works to come.”
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
