The Academy Awards has announced the first performer of this year’s awards and it’s none other than the Barbados superstar Rihanna. After her epic Super Bowl halftime show, the “Diamonds” singer will return to the stage, this time to perform at Hollywood’s most prestigious event; The Oscars.
Rihanna will sing “Lift Me Up,” the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever single. The track was nominated for the 2023 Academy Awards’ Best Original Song category, alongside Sofia Carson and Diane Warren’s “Applause,” Lady Gaga and Blood Pop’s “Hold my Hand, M.M. Keeravani’s “Naatu Naatu,” and Ryan Lott, David Byrne, and Mitski’s “This is a Life.”
“Lift Me Up” was created by Rihanna with Tems, producer Ludwig Göransson, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s director, Ryan Coogler. The Oscar-nominated song is part of the Marvel movie’s soundtrack that also introduced “Born Again.” The singer hasn’t performed either of the songs live yet.
Wakanda Forever is up for five Oscars, including Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design, Best Visual Effects, and Best Supporting Actress. The latter has earned Angela Bassett, who plays Ramonda in the movie, her first-ever acting nomination for a Marvel film. She had previously received one for her role as Tina Turner in 1993’s What’s Love Got to Do With It?
The Oscars will take place on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. Jimmy Kimmel will be hosting the anticipated event, which will be broadcast live on ABC.
Revisit the official music video for “Lift Me Up” here:
