97th Oscars Musical Performers: Ariana Grande-Cynthia Erivo Soar with Wicked Tribute; LISA, Doja Cat, and Raye Honor James Bond

Though forgoing the traditional Best Song nominees performances, the 97th Academy Awards still delivered plenty of song and dance at the ceremony. 

The telecast opened with the wicked double act of Ariana Grande singing a rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow from 1939’s The Wizard of Oz and Cynthia Erivo bringing the house down with a magical performance of Defying Gravity. 

Then midway through the show, LISA of Blackpink, Doja Cat, and Raye performed a medley of the James Bond soundtrack. Introduced by Margaret Qualley, whose film The Substance was one of the night’s Oscar hopeful, the tribute began with LISA’s rendition of Live and Let Die from the 1973 film, followed by Doja Cat with Diamonds Are Forever before culminating in Raye belting out Adele’s Oscar-winning track Skyfall. 

Queen Latifah also took the stage for a tribute to legendary music producer and composer Quincy Jones. Introduced by Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg, Latifah enlivened the night with a performance of Ease on Down the Road. The soundtrack to 1978’s The Wiz was composed by Jones, who died late last year.

Meanwhile, the Best Song eventually went to “El Mal” from Emilia Perez.