The Grammy Award-winning rapper is unable to take part at the 2019 Academy Awards because of work abroad, and SZA refuses to perform the Oscar-nominated song, 'All the Stars', without Lamar.
- February 22, 2019
AceShowbiz - "Black Panther" song "All the Stars" will not be performed at the upcoming 91st annual Academy Awards after all. Despite the plan and viewers' wish that the show will feature all five best song nominees, the Academy is unable to secure the original performers, Kendrick Lamar and SZA, for the ceremony.
According to multiple sources, the decision has nothing to do with the running time of the telecast. Since the nominations were announced, there had been discussions between Lamar and the show's producers to have him perform the song on the show.
The Grammy Award-winning rapper, who has been abroad in Europe for work, allegedly thought that he didn't have enough time to prepare for a performance that would do justice to the song. Moreover, SZA won't perform the song without Lamar and the producers reportedly didn't want to have other acts perform in their place, so Lamar's camp and the producers reached a mutual decision to forgo a performance of the song.
It was originally reported that "A Star Is Born" song "Shallow" and "Black Panther" song "All the Stars" were the only two songs that would be performed at the show, because there wouldn't be enough time to perform all five songs. Following protests, the Academy changed its mind and planned to have all five best song nominees be performed on the show.
Jennifer Hudson was the first to be secured for the Oscars, being set to perform "I'll Fight" from documentary "RBG". Lady GaGa and her "A Star Is Born" co-star Bradley Cooper were later announced to perform "Shallow", while Gillian Welch and David Rawlings have been booked to sing "When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings" from "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs". Meanwhile, "The Place Where Lost Things Go" from "Mary Poppins Returns" will be performed by an unexpected singer, Bette Midler.
The 2019 Academy Awards will take place on February 24 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles and will air live on ABC. This will mark the first time the show goes on without a host, following Kevin Hart's withdrawal.
