It has been a hectic year for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences leading up to the 91st annual Academy Awards. In an attempt to shorten the live broadcast and score higher ratings, the Academy made a number of controversial decisions that were met with backlash from fans and industry professionals alike and ultimately ended up being reversed.
One of these decisions came back in January when Variety reported that only two of this year’s Best Original Song nominees would perform at the ceremony: Lady Gaga singing Shallow from A Star Is Born and Kendrick Lamar’s All the Stars from Black Panther. Then, on January 31st, came a series of Tweets from the Academy’s Twitter page announcing that the rest of the nominated song would indeed be played live during the telecast.
Now a number of outlets, including Deadline, are reporting that Kendrick Lamar will not be taking the stage Sunday night. The artist and his team have reportedly been in talks with Academy officials trying to make Kendrick’s appearance possible; however, it appears both parties have mutually agreed to forgo the performance.
Reports are citing scheduling conflicts as the reason behind Lamar’s absence. All the Stars collaborator SZA does not want to perform Oscar-nominated hit with Kendrick.
The song will still be represented at the ceremony, however. Plans are to play the pre-recorder version over some video clips of Black Panther.
What do you make of this news? Are you saddened that Kendrick Lamar will not be performing All the Stars live during the Oscars? Do you still plan on watching the Oscars? Let me know in the comments below!
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