Lalisa "Lisa" Manobal of the global sensation BLACKPINK is set to grace the stage at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 2 — a moment eagerly anticipated by her fans. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that Lisa, alongside Doja Cat and Raye, will perform their collaborative track Born Again.
The song also featured in the third season of The White Lotus, in which Lisa made her acting debut as well. Born Again?was written and produced by British singer-songwriter Raye.?
Despite the buzz surrounding Lisa's upcoming performance, the announcement has stirred some controversy. Notably, none of the artists nominated for Best Original Song this year have been invited to perform, raising eyebrows about why a television theme song — with no direct link to any nominated films — is taking center stage at the Oscars.
Adding to the speculation, many believe Lisa's appearance may be connected to her boyfriend, Frédéric Arnault, the CEO of LVMH Watches. Arnault oversees luxury brands such as Zenith, Hublot, and TAG Heuer, while Lisa has long-standing partnerships with LVMH brands like Celine, Bvlgari, and Louis Vuitton. Some fans suspect LVMH's sponsorship of the Oscars may have played a role in securing her spot on the prestigious stage.
Reactions have been mixed as while Lisa's fans are thrilled about her Oscars debut, others have questioned the relevance of her performance at an event meant to honour cinematic achievements. Speculation about LVMH's influence has only added fuel to the ongoing debate.
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Lisa isn't the only performer facing scrutiny. Queen Latifah, a former Oscar nominee, is also set to perform despite having no direct connection to this year's nominated works. Additionally, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande — both nominated for acting roles in Wicked — will perform songs from the film, though not the ones that received Oscar nominations.?
The event will be broadcast live, with streaming available on Disney+ Hotstar, covering both the red carpet and the main ceremony.
For more news and updates from the world of?OTT, and?celebrities?from?Bollywood?and?Hollywood, keep reading?Indiatimes Entertainment.