Fans Fume as Oscars 2025 Stir Controversy Axing Live Performances of Best Original Song Nominees

Published 01/22/2025, 8:13 PM EST

Once revered for their glamour and prestige, Hollywood's most iconic nights have devolved into a laughingstock. The Oscars, in particular, have faced intense backlash in recent years. A slew of questionable decisions and changes have left fans wondering if the ceremony has lost its luster. As a result, the Oscars have become just another arbitrary award show in the eyes of many. From surprising snubs to awkward hosting gigs, and now the sudden break-free from years-old rituals, the Academy's choices have sparked outrage and disappointment.

The Oscars, as announced by the Academy, have sparked outrage by announcing that Best Original Song nominees will not be performed live this year. Fans are disappointed, especially after last year's memorable performance of 'I'm Just Ken'. A musical is among the nominees, making the decision surprising. Discontent has thus grown palpable among fans and industry insiders.

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Traditionally, the Best Original Song Oscar performance features live renditions by the original artists, often incorporating visuals from the movie and choreography. High-profile artists add star power to the ceremony. However, the 2025 Oscars will break this tradition, instead celebrating songwriters through personal reflections and stories behind the music. And the decision has thus not gone down well with many as seen all over the internet.

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Fans have flooded X with mixed reactions, with the majority of them disappointed in the Academy and its decisions.

Oscars 2025 invited criticism over drastic break-free from tradition

This year, the Academy has surprisingly axed the Best Original Song performances, sparking outrage among fans. Many have expressed their discontent, labeling it a step forward to diminish the academy and the "worst decision ever." Some have even called for drastic measures. While many are just outraged, others are disappointed in not having a Wicked performance by Ariana Grande. The decision has clearly divided the audience, leaving many to wonder what prompted this drastic change.

Others, however, have breathed a sigh of relief, particularly those who were dreading a potential performance by Emilia Pérez. 

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The Oscars ceremony will replace live performances of Best Original Song nominees with a new format. Instead, the ceremony will feature personal reflections from the songwriters, highlighting the creative process behind the songs. This change aims to offer a unique perspective on the nominated tracks, although it turned into a controversy following the unending list for the 2025 Oscars.

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What are your thoughts on the mass outrage as shown by the fans flooding social media? Let us know in the comments below.

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Shraddha Suman

2169 articles

Shraddha Das is a Content Lead and the Sub Group Head at Netflix Junkie. Captivated by the power of storytelling and the written word at a young age, which led her to pursue a career in journalism at the Esteemed KIIT School of Journalism and Mass Communication, in Orissa. She has over 1500 articles to her name.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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