Why you won’t see performances of original song nominees at 2025 Oscars

For decades, the Oscars’ original song performances have provided some of the ceremony’s most unforgettable moments. Think Celine Dion belting out “My Heart Will Go On,” Three 6 Mafia’s raucous “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper locking eyes during “Shallow” or, most recently, last year’s show-stopping Barbie spectacle of “I’m Just Ken.” Alas, not this year. In a break from tradition stretching back to 1946, tonight’s telecast will forgo live performances of the nominated songs: “Never Too Late” from “Elton John: Never Too Late,” “Like a Bird” from “Sing Sing,” “The Journey” from “The Six Triple Eight” and “El Mal” and “Mi Camino” from “Emilia Pérez.” Instead, nominees will be featured in prerecorded segments in which the songwriters reflect on their work. In a letter to academy members last month, CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang explained, “We will celebrate their artistry through personal reflections from the teams who bring these songs to life.” This isn’t the first time the show — perennially under pressure to trim its often bloated runtime — has dispensed with the original song performances. The Oscar-nominated stars of “Wicked,” Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, are expected to perform, though the film’s songs were ineligible for Oscar consideration due to their Broadway origins.