Rihanna took the stage to sing her Oscar-nominated song “Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” at the 95th annual Academy Awards show on Sunday at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood.
Danai Gurira, who played Okoye in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, introduced Rihanna as “royalty in her own right.” Said Gurira: “Ludwig Göransson, Ryan Coogler, Tems and Rihanna wrote a ballad that speaks from the heart as a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. Chadwick’s powerful artistry, his magnetism and incomparable humanity left an indelible mark on our hearts. Chadwick embodied the Wakandan king T’Challa.”
The 35-year-old Rihanna, wearing a Maison Margiela Artisanal ensemble custom made for her by John Galliano for Maison Margiela, gave an emotional performance which earned a standing ovation from the audience (including from her boyfriend A$AP Rocky). “Lift Me Up” was nominated for original song, up against “Applause” from “Tell It Like a Woman”, “Hold My Hand” from “Top Gun: Maverick”, “This Is a Life” from “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR.” The award ultimately went to “RRR.”
Take a look at Rihanna’s performance of “Lift Me Up” – here.
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