The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that this year’s Oscars will forego live performances for the Best Original Song category. Instead, the show will highlight the nominated songwriters through “personal reflections.” This decision was revealed in an email sent to Academy members on Wednesday, January 22, by Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang.
The move marks a significant shift from past ceremonies, where live performances of nominated songs were often show-stopping moments. Notably, last year’s Oscars featured Ryan Gosling’s lively rendition of “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie, which became one of the ceremony’s most memorable highlights. However, this year’s nominees, which could have included Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldana, Elton John, Maren Morris, and others, will not be performing their songs live on stage.
Instead, the Academy aims to honor the artistry of the songwriters by focusing on their creative processes. According to the email, this shift is part of a broader effort to celebrate connection and collaboration within the film industry. While fans might miss the dynamic energy of live performances, the Academy is attempting to spotlight the behind-the-scenes talent that shapes these iconic moments.
A Focus on Connection and Collaboration
The overarching theme for this year’s Oscars is celebrating the spirit of teamwork and collaboration that defines the filmmaking process. In their email, Kramer and Yang wrote, “Our 97th Oscars will be a celebration of connection and collaboration – honoring the unifying spirit and creative synergy of moviemaking. We will highlight the transformative power of the teamwork that brings cinematic visions to life.”
This emphasis on connection will be evident in the return of the “Fab 5” moments, in which past Oscar winners present awards to this year’s nominees. The Academy believes these moments will create a bridge between cinematic history and the present, reinforcing the idea of creative synergy across generations of filmmakers.
By focusing on collaboration, the Academy hopes to remind audiences of the collective effort required to bring cinematic visions to life. This year’s ceremony seeks to balance nostalgia and innovation, honoring the past while embracing the future of filmmaking.
Honoring Los Angeles and Resilience
The 2025 Oscars will also pay tribute to the city of Los Angeles, described in the email as the “city of dreams.” This acknowledgment comes on the heels of the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires, which have impacted many in the film community. The Academy aims to showcase the city’s beauty and resilience while highlighting its role as a global beacon for filmmakers and creative visionaries.
The email states, “We will honor Los Angeles as the city of dreams, showcasing its beauty and resilience, as well as its role as a beacon for filmmakers and creative visionaries for over a century.” This tribute will include reflections on the recent wildfires and the strength displayed by those who fought against them.
This year’s ceremony serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling to inspire and unite communities, especially in the face of adversity. By highlighting Los Angeles’ role as a cultural hub, the Oscars aim to celebrate the city’s enduring legacy in the film industry.
Looking Ahead to the 97th Oscars
The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will take place on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Ahead of the ceremony, Oscar nominations will be announced on January 23 via a global live stream on multiple platforms, including Oscar.com, Oscars.org, and social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube. The Academy has also prioritized accessibility, ensuring that American Sign Language (ASL) services will be available on YouTube during the nominations announcement.
This year’s ceremony promises a mix of tradition and innovation, with a renewed focus on storytelling and collaboration. While the absence of live song performances may be polarizing, the Academy has promised “powerful musical moments” that will connect film’s rich history to its future.
The email concludes with an invitation to join in celebrating the resilience and creativity of the film community. As the industry continues to evolve, the 2025 Oscars aim to highlight the unifying power of cinema in a rapidly changing world.
Full Email from the Academy
Dear Academy members,
Our deepest thanks to all of you for your compassion and support over the last few weeks. Our thoughts remain with those who were impacted by the recent Los Angeles-area wildfires. If you would like to join the Academy in supporting the ongoing relief efforts, please click here for a list of aid resources.
After continued consultation with ABC, our board, and other key stakeholders in the Los Angeles and film communities, planning continues for the 97th Oscars ceremony on Sunday, March 2. This year’s Oscars will celebrate the work that unites us as a global film community and acknowledge those who fought so bravely against the wildfires.
As a reminder, our 97th Oscars Nominations will be announced tomorrow, January 23, at 5:30am PT via global live stream on Oscar.com, Oscars.org, the Academy’s digital platforms (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook), ABC’s Good Morning America, and ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. American Sign Language (ASL) services will be available on YouTube.
As a precursor to tomorrow’s announcement, we wanted to share a little bit about this year’s show. Hosted by the incredible Conan O’Brien, our 97th Oscars will be a celebration of connection and collaboration – honoring the unifying spirit and creative synergy of moviemaking. We will highlight the transformative power of the teamwork that brings cinematic visions to life.
As part of this, we are thrilled to bring back our “Fab 5” moments, where individual film artists recognize nominees. Also, this year the Best Original Song category presentation will move away from live performances and will be focused on the songwriters. We will celebrate their artistry through personal reflections from the teams who bring these songs to life. All of this, and more, will uncover the stories and inspiration behind this year’s nominees.
And we will honor Los Angeles as the city of dreams, showcasing its beauty and resilience, as well as its role as a beacon for filmmakers and creative visionaries for over a century. We will reflect on the recent events while highlighting the strength, creativity, and optimism that defines Los Angeles and our industry.
There is so much more in store, including powerful musical moments that connect film’s rich history to its bold and inspiring future. We hope you will tune in tomorrow morning to watch the Nominations Announcement, and we greatly appreciate your ongoing commitment to the Academy and our film community. We are stronger together.
Bill Kramer and Janet Yang