The Academy Awards Really Want Beyoncé To Perform This Sunday
The 2022 Oscars are happening on Sunday and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences are reportedly crossing their fingers for one very special mononymously-named guest. No, not COVID (although if the alleged infection rates after the BAFTAs were any clue, then COVID might end up being the biggest winner Sunday night). According to Variety, The Academy is doing everything they can to lock in Beyoncé as a performer for Sunday night’s show
Beyoncé technically got her first-ever Oscar nomination this year, with a Best Original Song nomination for “Be Alive,” from the film King Richard. I say “technically,” because Beyoncé probably held her own Oscars ceremony in her head after the release of Dreamgirls, where she won Best Beyoncé Performance Ever (it’s a special category). So this is Beyoncé’s first real acknowledgment by the Academy. The Academy also loves a live performance of the songs nominated in the Best Original Song category. And sources say that Oscar producers are trying to work something out where Beyoncé can perform “Be Alive” on a tennis court in Compton, rather than on stage at the Dolby Theater.
While the superstar made nary an awards campaign stop over the past months in support of her track “Be Alive,” co-written with artist Dixson for the film King Richard, Beyoncé’s camp has been in deep talks with producers to mount a satellite performance of the song – one that would possibly open the show, and broadcast live from tennis courts in Compton, Calif. The concept began solidifying last Monday, three individuals with knowledge of the talks said.
Beyoncé’s people and the Oscars people wouldn’t comment on this.
The location of the performance would make sense, considering King Richard is about Richard Williams, the father and first tennis coach of Venus and Serena Williams, who trained his daughters at courts in Compton. Variety’s sources say that the plan would be for Will Smith to introduce the opening segment with Beyoncé in Compton, before hopping in a car and zipping over to the Oscars in Hollywood in time for the presentation of Best Actor. That shouldn’t be too difficult. I’ve seen the opening to Fresh Prince of Bel Air – he makes it from Philadelphia to Los Angeles in like 3 seconds. Compton to Hollywood is like half that time, he’s good.
Pic: INSTAR