The Oscars aren’t just about movies. The musical performances from the Best Original Song category tend to provide unforgettable moments during the Academy Awards. From Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s romantic rendition of Shallow to Common and John Legend’s moving performance of Glory, music can steal the show at the Oscars.
As of March 12, all five nominated songs at the 2023 Oscars will be performed during the telecast. After a last-minute delay, Variety just confirmed that Hold My Hand by Lady Gaga and BloodPop from Top Gun: Maverick will be performed at the ceremony after all. Gaga is currently filming Joker: Folie à Deux, which delayed her commitment to sing the song at the ceremony. Gaga previously won in this category at the 2018 Oscars with Shallow from A Star Is Born.
Want to know where to watch the Oscars live stream or which nominees will be performing at the 2023 Academy Awards? Just read below.
Rihanna — Lift Me Up from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Fresh off her stunning Super Bowl Halftime Show, Rihanna (Ocean’s 8) is set to perform Lift Me Up, the emotional ballad in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, at the 2023 Oscars. Rihanna is a first-time Oscar nominee for her contribution to the song that serves as a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who played King T’Challa in Black Panther before dying of cancer on August 28, 2020. Lift Me Up features music by Rihanna, Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Ludwig Göransson (Tenet), and Tems (If Orange Was a Place), with lyrics by Coogler and Tems. Göransson won the Oscar for Best Orginal Score for his work on Black Panther.
David Byrne, Son Lux, and Stephanie Hsu — This Is a Life from Everything Everywhere All at Once
Everything Everywhere All at Once (EEAAO) is set to have a huge night as the prohibitive favorite for Best Picture at the 2023 Academy Awards. Before the Best Picture category, the song This Is a Life from EEAAO will be performed during the telecast. This Is a Life features music from David Byrne (American Utopia), Ryan Lott (Mean Dreams) & Mitski (Laurel Hell), with lyrics from Byrne and Lott. Byrne is a two-time Academy Award nominee, winning Best Orginal Score for The Last Emperor. Lott, who is nominated in Best Orginal Score for EEAAO, is best known as the founder of the experimental band Son Lux. Byrne, Son Lux, and Stephanie Hsu (Poker Face), who stars as Joy Wang in the film, will perform the song.
Sofia Carson and Diane Warren — Applause from Tell It Like a Woman
It would not be the Best Original Song category without a contribution from Diane Warren, one of the most decorated songwriters of all time. Warren has received 14 nominations in this category, including six straight nominations. This year, Warren’s nomination is Applause, from the American–Italian anthology film Tell It Like a Woman. Warren has never won in this category but received an Honorary Oscar at the 2022 Governors Award. Applause will be performed by Warren and actress Sofia Carson (Purple Hearts).
Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava — Naatu Naatu from RRR
The performance of the infections anthem Naatu Naatu from RRR is guaranteed to be one of the more memorable moments from the ceremony. Naatu Naatu is the first song from an Indian film nominated for Best Original Song. Naatu Naatu features music from M. M. Keeravani (Eega) and lyrics from Chandrabose (Konda Polam). The Tollywood song is the favorite to win in this category, thanks to its wins at the 2023 Golden Globes and 2023 Critics’ Choice Awards. Rahul Sipligunj (F3) and Kaala Bhairava (Happy Birthday) will perform Naatu Naatu.
Lady Gaga and BloodPop –Hold My Hand from Top Gun: Maverick
One of the year’s biggest movies got the royal treatment with Lady Gaga, who made time in her busy schedule conquering Chromatica and becoming the next Harley Quinn to sing the emotional ballad Hold My Hand. It’s not her best work, but like Top Gun: Maverick itself, it’s an inoffensive song that is perfectly fine while it’s playing and instantly forgettable afterwards.
Lenny Kravitz — In Memoriam
Along with a host and awful dance numbers, the “In Memoriam” segment is an Oscar staple that has been a part of the ceremonies for decades. The segment usually features one musician singing a ballad as pictures and clips of people in the film industry who passed away are displayed across the screen. Past singers of this segment include Sammy Davis Jr., Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, Queen Latifah, and Celine Dion.
Deadline recently confirmed that rock singer Lenny Kravitz will sing in this year’s “In Memoriam” segment.
The 2023 Academy Awards will air at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on March 12 on ABC.
Watch the 2023 Academy Awards on ABC
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