Honestly, walking into the 97th Academy Awards, everyone expected the usual. You know the drill: a stiff monologue, some self-deprecating jokes about the runtime, and maybe a safe musical number. But the Oscars opening performance 2025 decided to throw the rulebook out the window. Instead of a predictable comedy sketch, we got a full-blown, soul-stirring trip to Oz that left half the Dolby Theatre in tears before the first trophy was even handed out.
It was bold. It was loud. And yeah, it was kinda "wicked."
If you missed the live broadcast on March 2, 2025, or if you're just trying to figure out why your Twitter feed is still obsessed with Ariana Grande’s dress, you’ve come to the right place. We aren't just talking about a song; we're talking about a massive shift in how the Academy handles its biggest night.
The Oz Medley: Why It Hit Different
The show didn't start with host Conan O’Brien. It started with a pair of clicking ruby slippers and those four iconic words: "There’s no place like home."
Ariana Grande stepped out first. She wasn't just there as a pop star; she was there as a Best Supporting Actress nominee. Wearing a custom ruby-red Schiaparelli gown that basically glowed under the stage lights, she launched into "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." It wasn't the upbeat pop version you might expect. It was quiet. Vulnerable. It felt like a direct love letter to Judy Garland and the history of the Dolby Theatre itself.
Then came Cynthia Erivo.
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If Ariana was the light, Cynthia was the power. She transitioned the medley into "Home" from The Wiz. The contrast was stunning. Erivo wore a Vivienne Westwood piece that started white with purple flowers—a nod to Diana Ross—and slowly transitioned into Elphaba green at the hem. When she hit those Broadway-bred high notes, the energy in the room shifted.
The Setlist That Broke the Internet
- "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (The Wizard of Oz) – Performed by Ariana Grande
- "Home" (The Wiz) – Performed by Cynthia Erivo
- "Defying Gravity" (Wicked) – Duet by Grande and Erivo
The climax, of course, was "Defying Gravity." They held hands, belted the power ballad that’s been trending for months, and ended with Erivo’s legendary "battle cry" note. The camera panned to Wicked director Jon M. Chu and Michelle Yeoh, both of whom were visibly wiping away tears. It wasn't just a movie promo; it was a testament to the "extreme training" both women did, including singing while hanging in harnesses for the film.
Conan O’Brien: The "Not-So-Wicked" Host
Once the Oz-induced fever dream settled, Conan O’Brien finally made his entrance. He’s 61 now, but he’s still got that "human rooster" energy. He entered via a filmed bit where he literally emerged from the body of Demi Moore—a grotesque and hilarious parody of The Substance.
He only had one shoe on. Typical Conan.
His monologue was a masterclass in navigating the room. He roasted the three-hour-plus runtime, joked that he wasn't using AI but "child labor" because "they're still people," and managed to mention every Best Picture nominee with a backhanded compliment. He even got into a fake fight with Adam Sandler over his casual attire.
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But then, he did something weirdly sincere.
He took a moment to acknowledge the wildfires that had recently ravaged Los Angeles. He brought real firefighters onstage, but instead of just giving them a somber "thank you," he gave them edgy jokes to read about the producers of Joker 2. It was a risky move, but as Conan put it, "Who could possibly get angry at heroes?"
The "I Won’t Waste Time" Paradox
The most "Conan" part of the Oscars opening performance 2025 was his own musical number. Titled "I Won’t Waste Time," the song was a high-energy production featuring a chorus of dancing Conans and—I kid you not—a sandworm from Dune: Part Two playing "Chopsticks" on a piano.
The irony, of course, is that the bit took about eight minutes. He spent a massive amount of time singing about how he wouldn't waste our time. It was the kind of zany, late-night absurdity that the Oscars have been missing for a decade. It felt like a homecoming for O'Brien, who hadn't been on a "Big 5" network since the whole Tonight Show debacle years ago.
Why This Opening Mattered (The E-E-A-T Perspective)
The Academy took a huge gamble this year. For the first time in basically a century, they chose to feature A-list performers like LISA from Blackpink, Doja Cat, and Raye in a James Bond tribute later in the night, instead of having the Best Original Song nominees perform their tracks live.
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Wait, what?
Yeah, you heard that right. The actual nominated songs weren't performed. Instead, the Academy focused on "the artistry of the songwriters" through personal reflections. This move was controversial. Some critics felt it robbed smaller songwriters of their "Oscar moment" just to get LISA and Doja Cat on the telecast for ratings.
And it worked. The ratings hit 19.69 million, a decent jump from previous years.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re a fan of film history or just love a good live performance, there are a few things you should check out to get the full story of the 97th Academy Awards:
- Watch the full Oz Medley: Don't just settle for the 30-second clips on TikTok. Find the high-quality version on YouTube or Hulu to hear the vocal nuances.
- Look for the "CinemaStreams" Sketch: Conan did a parody ad for a product that fuses hundreds of smartphone screens to make a "movie theater." It features a very on-brand Martin Scorsese cameo that is worth the search.
- Check out Sean Baker’s Acceptance Speeches: The director of Anora won four awards and gave the most moving defense of independent cinema and physical movie theaters we’ve heard in years.
- Follow the Bond Medley Debate: Search for the performances by LISA, Doja Cat, and Raye. It’s a polarizing topic in the film community right now—decide for yourself if the "star power" was worth cutting the original song performances.
The 2025 Oscars proved that the ceremony doesn't have to be a slog. With a host who doesn't take himself seriously and performers who actually have the "pipes" to back up the hype, the show felt light, loose, and—for once—actually fun.