Sofia Carson and Diane Warren delivered a stunning performance of “Applause” at the 2023 Academy Awards.
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With a spotlight beaming down upon her, Carson opened the performance with her operatic voice backed by an orchestra. She was accompanied by 14-time Academy Award nominee and “Applause” writer Warren on piano.
“To each and every single woman in this room and to all the women of the world, give yourself some applause,” Carson professed as she made her way to the center of the stage. She then launched into the line give yourself some applause as the choir harmonized give yourself some respect / ‘Cause you’ve earned it / Give yourself some love ’cause you’re worth it. Carson closed out the performance by letting her voice soar while singing give yourself some love / give yourself some applause.
Carson sings the uplifting lyrics written by the legendary Warren and featured in the 2022 film, Tell it Like a Woman, an anthology of seven short stories all fronted by women. Eva Longoria, Cara Delevingne, Jennifer Hudson and Pollock star Marcia Gay Harden are among the cast.
“That performance is going to be so beautiful and I’m the piano player,” Warren previewed before the show in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “We’ve done a few rehearsals and I’m just watching her, she’s like an angel, it’s so beautiful.”
The 2023 show marked Warren’s first time performing live at the Oscars and is her 14th time being nominated in the Best Original Song category. Past songs nominated include “How Do I Live,” “Because You Loved Me” and “There You’ll Be.” In 2022, Warren received an Academy Honorary Award.
Lady Gaga’s “Hold My Hand,” “Lift Me Up” by Rihanna, “Naatu Naatu” from the film RRR and “This Is a Life” featured in Everything Everywhere All at Once are also nominated for Best Original Song.
Photo courtesy of ABC
