Diamonds are forever 💎 #Oscars
Photo Credit: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times pic.twitter.com/f4y6MCBb7U
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 4, 2025
Doja Cat, Raye, and Lisa took to social media to respond to criticism of their James Bond tribute performance at the Oscars. The trio performed a medley of iconic 007 songs, but a few shaky notes caught the attention of viewers. Doja Cat wrote on Instagram, “I never get to sing like that and what I did was brave and scary as f–k for me.
The filmmakers behind NO OTHER LAND celebrate their Oscar win for Best Documentary Feature Film. #Oscars pic.twitter.com/9hneDnODxX
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 4, 2025
The song is a classic and I put a lot of work into it, but the nerves got to me and a bitch hit some flats. I feel good that I pushed myself.”
Doja Cat is performing “Diamonds Are Forever” at the #Oscars.
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) March 3, 2025
Raye shared her thoughts, stating, “Was sooo nervous to sing this song because no one can sing Adele like Adele, but I tried my very best. I am just so grateful to the Oscars Academy for this invitation.”
Lisa, a first-time Oscars performer, expressed her gratitude, “First time at the Oscars and it was such an incredible experience.
I was so honored to be performing alongside so many empowering artists. Thank you @theacademy for this unforgettable night.”
Raye’s post received praise from fellow artists, with comments like “That octave JUMP! WOMAN!!! @raye oof! You BEAUTY” from Hannah Waddingham and “you sounded beautiful. you looked stunning.
you deserve to be on that stage,” from Millie Bobby Brown. Despite the criticism, the performers received support and admiration for their bravery and efforts, making their performances a memorable highlight of the night. The 97th Academy Awards featured an unusual tribute to the James Bond franchise.
The tribute aimed to highlight the contributions of Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, stewards of the Bond series who were honored with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award last November.
The segment was introduced by former Bond Girl Halle Berry but included performances by artists with no direct connection to the franchise. Margaret Qualley, Lisa of Blackpink, Doja Cat, and Raye performed classic Bond songs. However, these musicians were more known for their recent single “Born Again” rather than their ties to 007.
The absence of key figures historically associated with James Bond, like Daniel Craig, Paul McCartney, and Adele, was palpable. Their non-involvement led to a tribute that felt random and disconnected from the franchise’s rich legacy.
James Bond tribute falls flat
The tribute’s timing comes amid significant changes in the Bond universe. The Broccoli family recently ceded full creative control of the franchise to Amazon, following Amazon’s $8.5 billion acquisition of MGM in 2022. Since then, the process of selecting a new actor to succeed Daniel Craig has stalled.
The Broccolis have been known for their cautious and protective approach to Bond, eschewing spinoffs and TV series to maintain the integrity of the character. In contrast, Amazon’s history of aggressively expanding intellectual properties has led to concerns that the franchise may lose its distinctive charm. No writer or director has been attached to the next Bond film, and the search for a new star remains unresolved.
The future of 007 is uncertain, leaving fans to wonder where the storied spy series will go next. The Oscars tribute, instead of celebrating Bond’s legacy, left many feeling both shaken and stirred. The 97th annual Academy Awards showcased the best films and performances of the year.
“Emilia Pérez” led the nominations with a total of 13, while “The Brutalist” and “Wicked” followed closely with 10 each. The Oscars were broadcast on ABC stations and international outlets worldwide at 7 p.m. EST on Sunday, March 2, 2025. For the first time, the Oscars streamed live on Hulu.
Other services, including Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV, and FuboTV, also aired the show. For those who missed the live broadcast, the event is available for replay on ABC.com and Hulu. Despite the excitement, some Hulu viewers experienced issues with the live stream, which cut off several minutes before the show ended.
Disney, the parent company of ABC and majority owner of Hulu, issued an apology and ensured viewers that a full replay would be available soon. Leading the nominations was Netflix’s “Emilia Pérez,” a crime musical about a cartel leader who has transitioned. With 13 nominations, it fell just short of the record 14 nominations held by films like “Titanic” and “All About Eve.” The film ended the night with two wins.
The Best Picture nominees included “Anora,” which took home the award, “Emilia Pérez,” and “I’m Still Here.” Other notable wins included Adrien Brody for “The Brutalist,” Timothée Chalamet for “A Complete Unknown,” Colman Domingo for “Sing Sing,” Ralph Fiennes for “Conclave,” and Sebastian Stan for “The Apprentice.” Mikey Madison won the Best Actress award for her performance in “Anora.”
Conan O’Brien hosted the 97th Annual Academy Awards, taking over the hosting duties from Jimmy Kimmel, who had hosted the Oscars four times previously. The ceremony took place at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, only a couple of months after a major storm affected the area. This year’s Oscars also saw Sean Baker make history with four wins for “Anora.”