Academy reverses Best Original Song plans after backlash

Last week, a report circulated that the 2019 Oscars would only contain two musical performances from the Best Original Song nominees – Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s ‘All the Stars’ from Black Panther, and Lady Gaga’s ‘Shallow’ from A Star Is Born. The report, from Variety, disappointed awards-watchers, including Mary Poppins Returns star Lin-Manuel Miranda, who tweeted, “The first time I stayed up to watch the Oscars, it was because I LOVED The Little Mermaid and they were going to sing songs from the movie I loved on the Oscars. If true, and Poppins’s song won’t be performed, truly disappointing. Host-less AND music-less? To quote Kendrick: Damn.”Miranda’s voice was heard, awards-watchers. Because on Thursday, the Academy announced that Jennifer Hudson will indeed perform the nominated song ‘I’ll Fight,’ from the Best Feature Documentary nominee, RBG, during the February 24 show.Shortly after, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences added that another nominee, ‘The Place Where Lost Things Go,’ from Mary Poppins Returns, will also be performed—but “by a surprise special guest!” (Mary Poppins Returns star Emily Blunt performed the song in the film.)Though the Academy never acknowledged last week’s rumor, a new reportfrom Variety alleges that Oscars producers reversed their decision in response to the backlash.“Producers last week told representatives for the remaining three nominees that there wasn’t time to perform all five songs in a streamlined show,” Variety reports. “But now, sources tell Variety that offers have gone out to reps from all five to perform the songs, although in truncated, 90-second form.”The fifth nominated song is ‘When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings’ from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, which was performed in the film by Willie Watson and Tim Blake Nelson.The controversial decision was said to be a time-saving measure meant to keep the famously long awards show at a three-hour run time. Other streamlining strategies the Academy is reportedly considering include presenting “craft” categories during commercial breaks.Though the Academy reversed course on the controversial Original Song decision – it still has not opted to appoint a host for February’s ceremony.– Courtesy: Vanity Fair

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