Let's get this out of the way first. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is letting music fans down in 2025. The issue isn't who will be performing but who will not be. That is because the Oscars is breaking with tradition when it comes to the Best Song nominees.
Normally, the Academy Awards show features all of the performers who are up for Best Song. This year, though, none of the five songs nominated will be performed. Instead, the Academy has decided to showcase some film legends in some yet unknown way. So, if you wanted to watch H.E.R. or Selena Gomaz put on a show, tough.
There will still be musical performances, though. In what manner, the Academy has not announced. The artists who show up might not get a full song. Or maybe they will be doing someone else's song. Who knows? Either way, the musical part of the Oscars will seemingly be watered down this year.
Who will be performing the musical numbers at the 97th annual Academy Awards?
We will get Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo performing a medley of songs from Wicked. Neither of those fantastic talents are part of the nominees for Best Song, but both are nominated in the acting categories. Erivo received a nod for Actress in a Leading Role, while Grande got a nom for Actress in a Supporting Role.
The rumor is that they will be part of the opening of the show while they do those tunes from their film, but there is no guarantee of that. The Academy has been pretty much mum on exactly what is going to happen with the music. This makes sense, too, as if a viewer already knows everything that is going to happen, why would they watch an awards ceremony that is probably going to last four hours or more?
Here is who will be performing musically. Again, in what manner, no one outside of the show itself knows yet.
- Cynthia Erivo
- Ariana Grande
- Queen Latifah
- Doja Cat
- Blackpink's LISA
- RAYE
- Los Angeles Master Chorale
The 2025 Academy Awards (this is the 97th annual edition of the show) will begin at 7 pm ET (4 pm PT) on Sunday, March 2. Conan O'Brien will be the host. You can watch the Oscars on ABC and stream at ABC.com, the ABC app, Hulu, YouTubeTV, and FuboTV.