Renowned choreographer Mandy Moore once again stole the spotlight at the Academy Awards, aiming to capture the audience’s emotions with her creative performances. After mastering the choreography for Ryan Gosling’s memorable “I’m Just Ken” at last year’s Oscars, Moore sought to repeat her success with a fresh perspective for the 2025 ceremony. Whilst the original song nominees would not perform, Moore ensured that the vibrancy of performances remained unparalleled.
The night commenced energetically with a dazzling homage to “Wicked.” Ariana Grande took the stage with an enchanting rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which followed a visual tribute to Los Angeles. Cynthia Erivo then mesmerized the crowd with her powerful delivery of “Home” from “The Wiz.” Both artists joined forces to deliver a stirring rendition of “Defying Gravity.”
“It’s everything you want it to be—simple, authentic, just them as artists,” Moore reflected. “I merely guided them on stage; their unique artistry did the rest.”
In one of the evening’s standout moments, there was an awe-inspiring four-part tribute to James Bond. It began with Margaret Qualley leading a dance performance, followed by LISA from Blackpink captivating the audience with “Live and Let Die.” Doja Cat delivered a spellbinding rendition of “Diamonds Are Forever,” and RAYE concluded with a powerful performance of “Skyfall.”
Moore expressed her excitement about this segment saying, “The performance was designed to be cinematic, employing cameras in a way reminiscent of the grandeur of Bond films—iconic and monumental.” To capture the Bond essence, she revisited every Bond film for inspiration.
As the night progressed, Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey introduced a joyous homage to the legendary Quincy Jones. The tribute featured a breathtaking ensemble of 32 dancers, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and Queen Latifah, who performed “Ease on Down the Road” from “The Wiz.” Quincy Jones’ instrumental contribution to the film adaptation connected him to Michael Jackson, sparking an iconic collaboration.
Moore’s approach to the tribute was thoughtful and respectful. She focused on capturing the grandeur of Jones’ music without having performers embody the original characters. “I envisioned bringing out the joy and layers of Jones’ music visually,” Moore explained. Thus, the choreography was intentionally expansive. “With Queen Latifah in the spotlight and ten supporting vocalists, the performance truly felt monumental,” she added.
For more details on the 2025 Oscars event, readers are encouraged to explore further coverage.
