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Home · Oscars

Janelle Monáe Opened The Oscars With A Show-Stopping Homage To The Year's Best Films

The singer kicked off the show with a shout-out to Black History Month, female filmmakers, LGBTQIA community and a cameo from Billy Porter.
Janelle Monáe Opened The Oscars With A Show-Stopping Homage To The Year’s Best Films
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
By Sydney Scott · Updated December 6, 2020

The Academy Awards started with a bang Sunday night, when singer Janelle Monáe took the stage for a tribute to the year’s best films.

The singer’s show-stopping performance featured dancers dressed as characters from films like Dolemite Is My Name, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and Midsommar. The moment even featured a cameo from Billy Porter.

Janelle Monáe Opened The Oscars With A Show-Stopping Homage To The Year’s Best Films
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 09: (L-R) Janelle Mon√°e and Billy Porter perform onstage during the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on February 09, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Monáe also made sure to give a special shout-out to female directors and Black History Month, telling the audience, “Tonight we celebrate all the amazing talent in this room. We celebrate all the women who directed phenomenal films. And I’m so proud to stand here as a black queer artist telling stories. Happy Black History Month.”

Article continues after video.

With such an incredible performance kicking off this year’s ceremony, we’d like to request that Janelle Monáe open every Oscars ceremony from now on.

TOPICS:  Academy Awards BWIH celebrity Entertainment essence ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Essence Magazine forroku Inside Essence Janelle Monáe oscars
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