March 4, 2025: Rapper Doja Cat, along with her “Born Again” collaborators Lisa and Raye, took the stage at the 97th Academy Awards to perform a medley of songs from the iconic James Bond franchise, paying tribute to the legendary 007. The act included a sequence of performances, starting with Lisa singing Paul McCartney and Wings’ “Live and Let Die,” followed by Doja Cat crooning “Diamonds Are Forever” (originally performed by Shirley Bassey), and Raye finishing the tribute with Adele’s “Skyfall.”
However, the performance was met with mixed reactions from netizens. Some fans praised the tribute, while others were less than impressed with the delivery. Responding to the backlash, Doja Cat took to Instagram to address the criticism and reflect on her performance.
In a heartfelt post, Doja Cat acknowledged the nerves she felt while performing. She expressed, “I danced with Sarah Paulson last night, also Flow is my favorite movie of all time because it’s a story about friendship. Thanks to the Academy Awards and Vanity Fair for having me. I never get to sing like that, and what I did was brave and scary… I know a lot of people didn’t like it, but a lot of people did, and I feel good that I pushed myself.”
She admitted to hitting some off-key notes but expressed pride in her performance, saying, “The song is a classic, and I put a lot of work into it, but the nerves got to me, and a b**** hit some flats. I can’t wait to do something like that again. What a blessing that was. I feel amazing about the whole thing. Bye.”
The tribute itself sparked conversation on social media, with many discussing its success and execution. The performance kicked off with a dance sequence from Margaret Qualley, paying homage to Bond girls of the past, dressed in a satin red dress. This was followed by the musical performances, adding a contemporary twist to the legendary Bond songs.
In a separate post, Raye also shared her own nerves, stating, “I was sooo nervous to sing this song because no one can sing Adele like Adele, but I tried my very best.” Lisa, who is also starring in the third season of The White Lotus, shared her excitement about reuniting with her “Born Again” sisters at the Oscars.
Despite the mixed reactions, Doja Cat’s response emphasized her confidence in pushing her boundaries, stating that the experience was a blessing and something she felt good about, regardless of the criticism.
The 97th Academy Awards were held at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday night, and the tribute to James Bond added a modern touch to the celebration of the iconic film franchise.