Copyright Screen Rant
One of the most exciting categories at the upcoming Oscars ceremonies can't have a repeat of what happened last year. The upcoming 98th Academy Awards are shaping up to be a very competitive competition this year, with plenty of big-name films already competing across the board. One of the most competitive fields this time around is shaping up to be "Best Original Song," where KPop Demon Hunters is facing tough challenges from the likes of Sinners and Wicked: For Good. It all suggests that the Oscars need to be careful to include one of the ceremony's typical highlights, especially after they skipped it last time around. The Academy Awards Skipped Best Original Song Performances Last Year, And Can't Do That Again The Oscars skipped the live performances of Best Original Song at the 97th Academy Awards, a decision they can't repeat this year. While every Oscar season has some standout songs that break out and earn a nomination for Best Original Song, the upcoming ceremony might have one of the most competitive fields the category has ever seen. "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters is a genuine cultural touchstone, with the song becoming a radio fixture and arguably the song of 2025. Two original songs for Wicked: For Good, "No Place Like Home" and "The Girl In The Bubble" could give the Academy a chance to celebrate the massive success of the musical adaptation. Sinners' soulful "I Lied To You" musical sequence stands out as a highlight moment in the film. Even beyond those frontrunners, competitors like Aiyana-Lee's "Highest 2 Lowest" from Spike Lee's film of the same name, Miley Cyrus' "Dream As One" for Avatar: Fire and Ash, and “Dear Me,” from Diane Warren: Relentless promise a tight race this year. The sheer popularity of "Golden," Wicked, and "I Lied To You" makes them ideal for bringing in home audiences who might otherwise skip the ceremony, as their place in the cultural zeitgeist makes them invaluable in highlighting the continued relevancy of the Oscars in the pop culture conversation. These songs were genuine hits with audiences and should be celebrated. That's why the Academy Awards, under no circumstances, can repeat what they did last year with the category. At the 97th Academy Awards, the typical live performances that help liven up the ceremony were cut from the broadcast. Instead, the ceremony aired clips highlighting the creative teams behind the songs. Why The Oscars Need To Bring Back Live Musical Performances While it was a good chance to highlight the songwriters who don't always get to be part of the live performance, it did have an impact on the show. The Best Original Song performances are often among the most memorable moments of any Oscars broadcast, especially in recent years. Performances like Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's A Star Is Born duet or Ryan Gosling's bombastic performance of "I Am Ken" from Barbie were highlights of their respective ceremonies. They're vital to the run-time of the ceremony, giving the audience a break from the nominations and reflections with a lively jolt of musical energy. It's something the ceremony still tried to replicate last year with other live performances celebrating the legacy of The Wizard of Oz, with Coleman Domingo's spirited response to Queen Latifah's The Wiz performance standing out as a moment of genuine joy and passion in a night meant to celebrate those aspects of the filmmaking process. The live musical performances are some of the most entertaining moments in the Academy Awards. It's a chance to highlight how the often spontaneous energy of a musical performance can still be crucial to the overall impact and power of a film. It was frustrating that the previous Oscar ceremony did away with the performances. Even if part of the reasoning (to carve out time to honor the firefighters and first responders who dealt with the wildfires that devastated the Los Angeles area) was a commendable one, it was still less than ideal. Given the strength of the category this year and the crossover potential it has with the general audiences that helped turn Sinners and KPop Demon Hunters into such hits, it would be shocking to see the Academy repeat that decision. The live musical performances are great examples of open vulnerability in a largely telegraphed and rehearsed ceremony. The naturalistic response from the crowd and the passion of the performer are often among the most emotionally stirring moments of any ceremony. It's also a chance to highlight the talent of young performers and established stars alike, with the upcoming ceremony having the perfect chance to showcase the talent of singers like Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami, Miles Canton, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and all the other potential nominees.
