Music / TV
The 2025 Oscars are doing away with live performances of the Best Original Song nominees. Here’s what the Academy Awards will feature instead.
The 2025 Oscars are almost here. Expect all sorts of moments that have come to be associated with Hollywood’s biggest night. The red carpet, an opening monologue from host Conan O’Brien, and memorable wins just to name a few. But one that will be missing from the 97th Academy Awards? Live performances of the Best Original Song nominees.
The 2025 Oscar nominees for Best Original Song
Emilia Pérez leads the Best Original Song nominees with two nods. The movie musical is up for “El Mal” and “Mi Camino.” Zoe Saldaña, who has swept the best supporting actress category at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, BAFTAs, and SAG Awards, sings the former alongside co-star Karla Sofía Gascón. Meanwhile, Selena Gomez sings the latter.
“The Journey,” as featured in Tyler Perry’s Netflix original, The Six Triple Eight, and performed by H.E.R. in thee end credits, is also nominated in the original song category. Other nominees include Sing Sing’s “Like A Bird” and “Never Too Late” from Elton John: Never Too Late.
The Oscars will show how the songs were made instead
So, what’s replacing live performances of the Best Original Song nominees at the Oscars? A behind-the-scenes look at the making of each song. In a letter sent to Academy members in January 2025, CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang announced that the Oscars wouldn’t include the longstanding tradition this year.
“We will celebrate their artistry through personal reflections from the teams who bring these songs to life,” Kramer and Yang wrote (via Variety). “All of this, and more, will uncover the stories and inspiration behind this year’s nominees.”
That means no live performance of Gomez singing “Mi Camino.” No potential mash-up featuring Emilia Pérez’s other Best Song nominee “El Mal.” No moment where music legend Elton John takes the stage alongside Brandi Carlile to sing “Never Too Late.” And no live performances of the songs featured in Sing Sing and The Six Triple Eight.
Who is performing at the 2025 Oscars?
Although the tracks nominated for Best Original Song won’t be performed live, the ceremony will have some live performances. The Academy previously announced on Feb. 24, 2025, that Wicked stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo will perform. So will Lisa of Blackpink and The White Lotus Season 3.
Other Oscar performers include Doja Cat, Queen Latifah, and RAYE. There will also be a special performance by the Los Angeles Master Chorale. As for specifics on their Oscars performances, the details remain under wraps.
The Oscars will broadcast live on ABC and stream live—for the first time—on Hulu at 7 p.m. ET on March 2, 2025.
