At the award show on Sunday, Lady Gaga gave a raw and powerful performance of the Top Gun: Maverick track, which was nominated for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song). The track was one of six nominations that the Tom Cruise-led film received, including Best Picture.
Lady Gaga’s Stripped-Down Look
Lady Gaga shocked fans at the 95th Academy Awards with a stripped-down look. The singer removed the glamorous makeup she wore on the red carpet and opted for a natural, bare-faced look.
Lady Gaga’s Pre-Performance Look
Before her raw performance, Lady Gaga had turned heads on the champagne-colored red carpet in a daring sheer black Versace gown featuring a bralette top and a low-slung skirt.
Lady Gaga Swaps Her Versace Dress
She also swapped her black Versace gown for a casual black t-shirt and ripped jeans. The singer appeared more dressed down than usual, singing her ballad in a simple T-shirt and shorts with minimal hair and makeup.
Last-Minute Change of Plans
Despite previous expectations of skipping the show due to filming demands, Lady Gaga made a last-minute change of plans and was confirmed to perform at the 95th Academy Awards.
Rock Version of ‘Hold My Hand’
The performance featured a rootsy, rock-band production. This was a deviation from the slick soundtrack version and elicited cheers from the captivated audience.
Song Very Personal for Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga opened her performance with a heartfelt introduction, sharing that her Oscar-nominated Song, Hold My Hand from the Top Gun: Maverick soundtrack, is deeply personal to her.
Lady Gaga’s Emotional Rendition
She emphasized the importance of love and how we all need each other to navigate life. Her emotional rendition of the song left a lasting impact on the audience.
A Touching Message
Lady Gaga ended the intro with a poignant message: “We all need a hero sometimes, and they are all around us, in unassuming places. But you might find you can be your hero, even if you feel broken inside.”
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Lady Gaga Sings Passionately
A band accompanied Gaga on a dimly lit stage during her performance. She sang passionately with her eyes closed while styling her hair in a simple braid.
Critical Acclaim
Lady Gaga’s raw and emotional performance at the Oscars was praised by critics and audiences alike. Many noted that the stripped-down version of the song allowed Gaga’s powerful vocals to shine through.
Lady Gaga Helps Photographer
She had been spotted helping a photographer who had tripped on the red carpet earlier. The song, Hold My Hand , for which she delivered a mesmerizing performance, is nominated for Original Song.
Lady Gaga Gets a Standing Ovation
After her powerful performance, the audience rose to their feet. They gave Lady Gaga a standing ovation.
Tribute to Tony Scott
The show ended with a tribute to the late Tony Scott. He was the director of the original Top Gun film, and his Picture appeared on the screen at the Dolby Theatre.
Lady Gaga’s Third Oscar Nomination
With her nomination for Hold My Hand from Top Gun: Maverick , Lady Gaga has become the first artist to receive three nods in the best original song category.
Lady Gaga’s Previous Nominations
She had been previously nominated for Til It Happens to You from The Hunting Ground in 2016 and Shallow from A Star Is Born in 2019.
Lady Gaga’s Previous Oscar Win
Shallow earned Gaga her first Oscar win. She shared it with co-writers Mark Ronson, Andrew Wyatt, and Anthony Rossomando.
Gratitude On Getting Nominated
Gaga expressed her gratitude to the Academy for nominating her Song. As she wrote on social media, “Thank you so much to the Academy for nominating my Song Hold My Hand for an Oscar this year! Writing this Song for the film Top Gun: Maverick was a deep and powerful experience that I will never forget.” She also acknowledged her co-writer Bloodpop and sent her love to her fans.
Lady Gaga’s First Oscar Performance
Lady Gaga first appeared on the Oscar stage in 2015, delivering a medley of four songs from The Sound of Music . She returned in 2016 to perform Til It Happens to You and again in 2019 for a rendition of Shallow with duet partner Bradley Cooper.
Lady Gaga’s Acting Career
In addition to her musical performances, Lady Gaga is also known for her acting work. She received critical acclaim for her role in A Star is Born , which earned her a Best Actress nomination at the Oscars in 2019.
