Oscars 2023: This is how emotional Rihanna’s tribute to Chadwick Boseman has been at the ceremony

There is not the slightest doubt of these Oscars 2023 that one of the highlights of the ceremony was not an award, but a performance by Rihanna. The 35-year-old singer took the stage to sing her Oscar-nominated song ‘Lift Me Up’ from ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ at the 95th annual Academy Awards this Sunday.

Actress Danai Gurira, who played Okoye in the Marvel movies, introduced Rihanna as “royalty in her own right.” “Ludwig Göransson, Ryan Coogler, Tems and Rihanna wrote a ballad that speaks from the heart as a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman,” she stated Gurira. “Chadwick’s powerful artistry, magnetism, and incomparable humanity left an indelible mark on our hearts. Chadwick played the king of Wakanda, T’Challa“.

Turning heads in her nearly diamond-studded dress with black see-throughs, the artist delivered an emotional performance that earned her a standing ovation from the audience, including the artist’s super-fan boyfriend ASAP Rocky at the Dolby Theatre. The power ballad captures the spirit of loss, elevating the film’s message of overcoming grief following the August 2020 death of ‘Black Panther’ star Chadwick Boseman.

The song ‘Lift Me Up’ was nominated for original song, along with ‘Applause’ from ‘Tell It Like a Woman’, ‘Hold My Hand’ from ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, ‘This Is a Life’ from ‘No News in front’ and ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’. It’s the Bajan superstar’s first Oscar nomination. However, the prize finally went to the song ‘RRR’, which she started as a favourite.

The song, with music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler, and Ludwig Göransson (and lyrics by Tems and Coogler), peaked at number 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100, the US chart.

“Wakanda Forever” was up for five Oscars, including best supporting actress for Angela Bassett for her role as Queen Ramonda. Ruth E. Carter has won her second Oscar in the costume design category for his work on the film.

Rihanna’s performance was expected to be a big moment for what a movie like the sequel to ‘Black Panther’ entails, which has been a Boseman throwback since its release. With this performance, the singer, pregnant with her second child, exceeds -as far as emotion is concerned- her moment in the Super Bowl. (And that there showed his pregnancy). A moment full of emotion and to remember.

The organizers of the ceremony were counting on Rihanna to perform her Oscar-nominated song, unlike the case of Lady Gaga, who, although the singer’s absence was announced, was present at the ceremony at the last moment.