The 97th Academy Awards will feature a Quincy Jones tribute with Queen Latifah performing.
The news was announced by executive producer Raj Kapoor during a press conference with the creative team. “One of the most exciting things that we’ve worked on this year is a musical performance that will tribute Quincy Jones,” he said, adding that Queen Latifah will be “a part of the performance.”
Jones received a Governor’s award earlier this year. “We’ve planned and curated this beautiful moment that we hope will uplift the room, that will celebrate the spirit of Quincy and all of his greatness,” Kapoor said. “It’s a beautiful moment, and we think it will be very celebratory and make everybody feel really good.”
As previously announced, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo will perform a “Wicked” medley to begin the Oscars ceremony. Blackpink’s Lisa, currently appearing on this season of “The White Lotus,” will also perform, as well as Doja Cat and Raye.
The 97th Oscars will also feature a special appearance from the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday morning.
Kapoor also talked about the themes of the 2025 Academy Awards. Overall, the Oscars will celebrate community, spirit and all the people who work behind the scenes. Kapoor said the ceremony will honor the city of Los Angeles. “That’s a really important theme. There have been so many people that have been touched by this devastation. We really wanted to create some really beautiful moments on stage that celebrate this amazing city that we live in.”
In addition, Kapoor announced there will be a charitable component to the ceremony. “People will be able to interact, and they are free to donate if they would like to.”
Kapoor was joined by host Conan O’Brien, executive producer Katy Mullan, co-executive producer Rob Paine, producer and writer Mike Sweeney, writer Jon Macks, music director Michael Bearden, production designer Alana Billingsley and supervising choreographer Mandy Moore.
Billingsley discussed how immersive the show will be this year: “We instantly wanted to wrap the room with the set, and bring the set out into the room. It also nods to movie theater architecture and the screens that are out in the house.”
In a new move, Billingsley said the orchestra will be the heart of the show. “We have given them a prominent space on stage and you get to see them throughout the night, not just to acknowledge that they’re there, but to really celebrate,” she said. “When you get to be on the stage, when we open up that door and you feel the orchestra in the space, I think it is truly an evening of entertainment for everyone in the room.”
From Variety US