H.E.R. Says It’s a ‘Bummer’ Best Song Nominees Won’t Be Performed

H.E.R. is weighing in on Oscar producers’ decision not to include performances of this year’s best original song nominees during Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony.

The singer-songwriter would have performed Diane Warren’s “Journey” from the “The Six Triple Eight” soundtrack if the traditional performances took place.

“It’s kind of weird, but I’m just happy to be there,” H.E.R., who won the original song Oscar in 2021 for “Fight for You” from “Judas and the Black Messiah,” told me Saturday night at the Chanel and Charles Finch pre-Oscars dinner at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hill Hotel, “Performing or not, the song’s gonna live on, whether we perform it on the Oscar stage or not, I was a little bummed because I look forward to those performances, not just being in it, you know, but it’s totally fine. It’s still gonna be a great show, I think.”

“Journey” marks Warren’s 16th Oscar nomination. She has yet to win the statuette, but was presented with an honorary Oscar in 2022 by Cher.

This year’s original song nominees also include “Mi Camino,” “Emilia Pérez,” performed by Selena Gomez (Camille & Clément Ducol, songwriters), “Like a Bird,” “Sing Sing,” performed by Abraham Alexander & Adrian Quesada (Abraham Alexander & Adrian Quesada, songwriters), “El Mal,” “Emilia Pérez,” performed by Zoe Saldaña (Jacques Audiard, Camille & Clément Ducol, songwriters), “Never Too Late,” “Elton John: Never Too Late,” performed by Elton John & Brandi Carlile (Brandi Carlile, Elton John, Bernie Taupin & Andrew Watt, songwriters).

“Wicked” co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are expected to open the Oscars with a performance. Sources tell me that Doja Cat, Blackpink’s Lisa and Raye will perform a James Bond tribute while Queen Latifah will participate in a tribute to the late Quincy Jones.

Meanwhile, H.E.R. also tells me she may be going into the studio with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. “I was on tour with Coldplay, and me and Chris have talked about writing together, and we’ve kind of been working on it,” she said. “I think that would just be really special because I love Coldplay.”
She said of Martin, “He is an incredible person. He’s so warm, and he’s a genius, and I look up to him so much. He really empowers me.”

See more photos from the Chanel and Charles Finch pre-Oscar Dinner below.