The Oscars are making a major change this year— for the first time in nearly 80 years, there will be no live performances of the Best Original Song nominees at Sunday’s Academy Awards. The decision has sparked backlash from fans, who are disappointed by the absence of this long-standing tradition. This means big names like Elton John and Selena Gomez won’t be taking the stage to perform their nominated songs.
Instead, the Academy plans to honor the songwriters in a new way. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang announced in January that the nominees would be celebrated through personal reflections from their creative teams, highlighting the stories and inspiration behind the songs. While live performances are off the table, the ceremony still promises “powerful musical moments,” including an opening number by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, stars of the upcoming Wicked film.
Fans have taken to social media to express frustration over the change. One user on X questioned, “Why are we doing this?” while another lamented, “Why does the Academy hate fun and happiness?” Others criticized the break from tradition, with one fan noting, “It feels like all routine and tradition are being thrown to the wind.” Another reminisced, “The past few years, some of the songs have been a highlight of the night. Just make them fun.”
This year’s Oscars will also carry a more somber tone due to the devastating Los Angeles wildfires earlier in the year.
In a statement on January 13, Kramer and Yang acknowledged the tragedy, expressing their sympathy for those affected. They emphasized the Academy’s role as a unifying force in the film industry and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the community. In recognition of the crisis, the Oscars will pay tribute to first responders and those impacted by the fires.
