Are Kendrick Lamar And SZA Boycotting The Oscars
All the nominees for Best Original Song will be performed on Sunday night’s Oscar telecast, except one: “All the Stars,” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA.
Deadline reports that the Academy attempted to book the two stars to perform the song from the Black Panther soundtrack, but was unsuccessful. So rather than enlist another act, the song will not be performed at all.
According to Deadline, the issue is Lamar’s busy work schedule. Sources tell the publication that the Compton MC has been overseas recording his new album, and wouldn’t have had time to put together a performance of “All the Stars” that he felt would do justice to the track.
Initially, the Academy was only going to allow the two most successful Best Original Song nominees — “All the Stars” and ‘Shallow” — to perform on the telecast. However, after backlash from the nominees, it relented and said it would allow all the nominated tunes to be performed. Unfortunately, “All the Stars” won’t be one of them.
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper have been confirmed to sing “Shallow” from A Star Is Born, while Jennifer Hudson will perform “I’ll Fight,” from the documentary RBG.
Bette Midler will sing “The Place Where Lost Things Go,” from the movie Mary Poppins Returns, and Gillian Welch and David Rawlings will perform “When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings,” from the movie The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.
Legendary British rock band Queen, whose story inspired the Best Picture nominee Bohemian Rhapsody, will also perform during the telecast.
It’s not clear if Kendrick or SZA will even attend the Oscars. If the song wins, they’ll share the trophy, along with the three other co-writers of “All the Stars.”
Earlier this month, “All the Stars” was up for four Grammys, but didn’t win any of them.
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